HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.
He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Q: I KNOW this sounds ridiculous but I think my parrot is jealous of my husband.
Percy seems fine with me in the room with him, but the minute my other half walks in he starts squawking and even regurgitates his food.
My hubby is sick of it and says Percy has to go. I’m at my wits’ end.
EMILY MORGAN, Swansea, Glamorgan
Sean says: This is actually quite common. Parrots are extremely social, and often form strong, lasting bonds with their natural mates in the wild.
A lone pet parrot often develops the same bond with their human “mate” of choice. Usually this is with the person of the opposite sex to them, but same-sex pairings happen.
The regurgitation can signify distress but it can also be a courtship offering, so I’m not sure if Percy is jealous of your hubby or fancies him.
In any case, this doesn’t sound like a happy parrot or household.
Might Percy do better in a parrot sanctuary or with a more experienced keeper in the company of his own kind?
Q: OUR little white mouse Mickey is getting really skinny.
He does not seem interested in his usual treats and he urinates far less.
We have not changed his diet but he seems a bit twitchy and distressed.
Do you have any advice please?
SARAH DALY, Chipping Norton, Oxon
Sean says: This sounds like the classic signs of old age in a pet mouse.
They tend to get a bit doddery on their feet and frail looking as they approach their twilight months. And it’s often a sudden change.
Considering their average lifespan is two years, or in exceptional cases three, each month of their life is the equivalent of half a decade of ours.
If he seems distressed get a vet check. The vet may confirm what I say and discuss signs to look for to consider that Mickey’s time has come and it may be kindest to put him to sleep. But often you just find rodent pets have passed away one day.
Q: ALTHOUGH my son cares for his goldfish really well, a couple of them have developed white spots on their bellies.
He is meticulous about cleaning out the tank. What is this a sign of and what can we do about it?
MANDY SANDERSON, Falmouth, Cornwall
Sean says: There is a contagious disease called white spot but it tends to come in with new fish that are stressed or that have been kept in poor conditions. Your son sounds to be doing a great job, and as long as he hasn’t recently added new fish I’d be surprised if this was a disease.
Colour changes can develop in goldfish as they age.
At breeding condition, the males develop white raised bumps called breeding tubercles, on their gill covers and around their pectoral or chest fins and underside. Perhaps love is in the air.
Q: MY 11-year-old Norfolk Terrier Pete gets recurring pancreatitis every three to four months.
We are strict on treats and trying a very low-fat diet. Someone recommended feeding him solely on cooked venison. Could this help?
JOSEPHINE WALKER, Bermondsey, London
Sean says: Cooked venison alone is not a balanced diet so it’s a bad idea.
Does Pete scavenge anything? If so this needs to be prevented, eg, with a basket muzzle out on walks.
How strict are you with treats? Any that are high fat or that his system isn’t used to can trigger pancreatitis. So cut out all treats except healthy, zero-fat options like crunchy veg.
Finally, how low-fat is his diet? Ideally it should be below ten per cent on a dry matter basis. Prescription options can support healthy digestion for dogs that suffer chronically.
'ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS NEED REFORMING'
A NATIONAL microchip database is needed, warns the boss of the UK’s most popular pet site.
Pets4Homes CEO Axel Lagercrantz warns that the UK’s 22 databases invite scams from illegal breeders and only find about two-thirds of lost pets.
He says: “In the Netherlands, a central database contributes to the recovery of 90 per cent of lost and stolen dogs – significantly higher than in the UK.”
Axel is calling for animal welfare reforms, including tough regulations on breeders and imports, while online and social media pet sales allow rogue traders to operate selling sick animals.
Exotic and designer pets also suffer, he says, as current legislation can’t stop their underground trade.
Axel warns: “The animal welfare politics of the UK . . . has been characterised by ill-conceived and toothless policies that have been implemented for publicity rather than to have a meaningful impact.”
AI and modern tracking tools could monitor trafficking and smuggling, he says, and licensing should be simplified.
Axel adds: “The UK needs bold, transformative reforms that strike at the heart of the challenges animals face.”
Star of the week
MEET Rudy the Portuguese water dog who makes sure her fellow pups don’t miss out in the pub when their owners get a round in.
The four-year-old loves hanging out in beer gardens, eating treats.
Rudy inspired her owner, Jessica Morris, from Leeds, to create The Canine Menu (thecaninemenu.co.uk), which makes chews that are on sale in thousands of pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Jessica, 29, said: “Dogs are family, and I’ve always believed they deserve to be included when we’re out enjoying ourselves.
“One day, I forgot to pack a treat for Rudy, and seeing her big, hopeful eyes sparked an idea that snowballed into me setting up my business.”
WIN: Holiday at Ross & Friends dog park
WIN a night away in a two-bedroom Hunting Lodge at Ross & Friends, Herts – the UK’S largest enclosed dog park.
Your pet will also get to run around the 35-acre dog safari.
For a chance to win this prize, worth over £250, send an email headed Ross & Friends to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by March 10. See rossandfriends.uk. T&Cs apply.
