Q: My young cocker has recently been diagnosed with SRMA. Will he ever be able to join me in the beating line? ROBERT BORGON, WEST YORKSHIRE A: The good news…
Neil McIntosh
Is it dangerous to feed dogs chicken jerky?
Q: I have read that there are dangers associated with feeding dogs chicken jerky treats. Is this true? A: Guido Fanconi was a Swiss paediatrician, born in 1892, who spent…
Tapeworm terror: Why do dogs coming from Europe need treatment?
Q: Why are dogs returning from Europe required to be treated for tapeworms? A: If I told you what the European tapeworm was capable of, you would think I was…
Never let your dog chew anything that doesn’t pass this test
Providing a dog chew can relieve boredom (and satisfy their basic desire for wanton destruction), but dog chews must be selected carefully. Poor choice of material can result in tooth…
The causes of ticks and fleas on dogs
What are the causes of ticks and fleas on dogs and where do these parasites come from? One thing is certain, foreign ticks are bringing new diseases to British dogs.…
Dog infections that are transmissable – what should you do to prevent them?
If there is one thing COVID-19 has done, it has made us all far more aware of the risks of the spread of infections by various routes. There are more…
Why does my dog drag its bottom?
When you see your dog drag its bottom Q: I see my dog drag its bottom along the ground frequently. I am told this is a sign that he needs…
Centronuclear myopathy in dogs: why it’s bad news
“My friend recently bred a litter of labradors and one puppy had to be put down at eight weeks due to Centronuclear myopathy (CNM). What is this?” Jim Ede, Cambridgeshire…
Types of dog wounds: a vet describes the typical ones he sees in working dogs
Q: I wondered what the typical types of dog wounds are that you see suffered by working dogs and how you deal with them? Terry Crocker, Buckinghamshire (Read working dog…
Cushing’s syndrome in gundogs – what is it and how do you treat it?
Question: “My elderly chocolate labrador has just been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome. I confess to having a bit of ‘red mist’ when the vet discussed it with me. Can you…
Fading puppy syndrome – a vet advises
I recently received a sad letter which said: “A friend just lost an entire litter of spaniel puppies to fading puppy syndrome. What causes this?” Fading puppy syndrome Fading puppy…
Hypothyroidism in dogs. What owners need to know
Q: My lab bitch is only seven years old but is acting much older. She is a little heavy, there’s hair loss and thick, scabby skin below her neck and…
What’s wrong with my cocker spaniel’s eye?
Here’s a picture of my cocker spaniel’s eye. I have been to the vet who told me it’s only an infection and gave me some eye drops but I am…
Do probiotics for gundogs really work?
Dogs begin life with a sterile intestinal system, but very quickly this becomes colonised by bacteria that collectively form the ‘microbiome’; an army of microorganisms that are essential for health…
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?
What are the symptoms if a dog contracts Lyme disease and what does the cure entail? Is it usually successful?
Socialising puppies – top tips from a vet
Q: I am a first time breeder and mindful of all the negative comments about the temperament of ‘Covid puppies’. How can I ensure my kennelled bitch will produce well…
Urinary incontinence in dogs: which breeds suffer most?
Q: Regrettably, my dear old matriarch labrador bitch is leaving a wee damp patch on her bed from time to time. I have heard that urinary incontinence in dogs is…
How do you treat an itchy labrador?
Let’s take a look at itchy dogs in general, which of course include an itchy labrador. It must be said that itching, or pruritus, is simply a clinical sign that…
Is chewing gum poisonous to dogs? What happens if my dog eats some?
I’m often asked whether chewing gum is poisonous to dogs. Well, chewing gum is often sweetened with xylitol and the most common source of xylitol poisoning is chewing gum. It…
Worming working dogs – here’s what you need to know
Responsible gundog owners know that worming working dogs regularly is part of the routine. But what about puppies? I recently received this query from a gundog puppy owner. (Read our…