PDSA Vet answers your questions

Dear PDSA Vet, my dog Bella has very weepy eyes and she’s always rubbing at them. Does she have an infection? Emma

Hi Emma, there are many different things that can cause weepy and irritated eyes. Bella could have an eye infection or she could have a condition called dry eye, similar to what humans can get.

There are other things it could be too such as a corneal ulcer which is when the surface of the eye is damaged.

If she is happy and comfortable for you to do so, you can bathe her eyes with a cotton pad soaked in cooled, boiled water; using a clean pad for each eye.

However, it’s important to get her seen by the vet as soon as possible as eye problems are very uncomfortable and she is likely to need medication to help her improve.

If left without treatment, it could get worse quite quickly. Find out more here: pdsa.org.uk/dog-weepy-eyes-advice

Dear PDSA Vet, my dog Luna seems to be having asthma attacks where she can’t breathe and makes a loud snorting noise. It stops after about 30 seconds and then she’s fine again. What should I do? Alexandra

Hi Alexandra, it sounds like Luna is reverse sneezing – this can be alarming at first but it is nearly always harmless. Reverse sneezing isn’t fully understood, but vets think that most dogs do it to clear some sort of irritation at the back of their throat maybe from over excitement or allergies.

Some people find that gently rubbing their dog’s throat can help while others find covering one or both nostrils for a second helps as it encourages the dog to swallow.

If it’s happening a lot more than usual, it’s worth getting Luna seen by a vet to rule anything else out. It’s unlikely that she’ll reverse sneeze in a consultation, so try to video an episode before your appointment.

Find out more here: pdsa.org.uk/dog-reverse-sneezing-advice

Dear PSDA Vet, when is the right time to get my kitten Bambi spayed? She’s coming up to six months old. Thanks, Nikki

Hi Nikki, cats can be neutered from four months old so it’s worth getting Bambi booked in with the vet as soon as possible. If she’s been unwell or is particularly small for her age, they may recommend waiting but if not she could be ready now.

Neutering has many benefits, not only does it prevent pregnancies, it also prevents cancer of the ovaries and uterus as well as a womb infection called pyometra. We would recommend keeping Bambi indoors until she is neutered to prevent any accidental litters.

Your vets will give you lots of information such as what to do before the operation, what will happen during it and how to look after Bambi when she comes home.

Find out more here: pdsa.org.uk/cat-neutering 

Dear PDSA Vet, my rabbit Thumper is starting to act weird, every time I try to pick him up out of his cage, the way his old owner told me to, he leaps around scratching me and trying to tear my t-shirt. When my neighbour comes round and picks him up exactly the way I do, he does her no harm. Is this because of who is holding him, and who he feels comfortable with? Is there something I can do to make him stop? Ian

Hi Ian, I’m sorry to hear you are having difficulties with Thumper. Perhaps you could watch the way your neighbour handles Thumper and check that you are holding him in exactly the same way.

Many rabbits don’t like to be picked up at all and prefer to be fussed when they are on the ground. If you need to pick him up, make sure his hind legs are supported. His behaviour could also be because he is scared, it’s always best to approach him quietly and calmly.

Get him used to your company by giving him a few of his favourite treats. When he’s confident in your company, which may take days or weeks, he may let you gently stroke him and, eventually once he trusts you, pick him up. Find out more about rabbits here: pdsa.org.uk/rabbits  

PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK, for more vital advice and information visit: www.pdsa.org.uk