Animal Magic: Staffordshire Bull

Sep 23 2007 Scott Miller

Q My two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier keeps my whole family awake with her snoring. Help!

It sounds like Brachycephalic airway syndrome, which affects flat-faced dogs. Shortened noses and mouths mean normal air flow is compromised, leading to snoring and noisy breathing. A likely cause is stenoticnares (narrow nostrils), which can be treated with rhinoplasty (a nose job). Another possible cause is an elongated soft palate. This is when the membrane separating the oral and nasal cavities is too long and hangs down over the windpipe during sleep, causing snoring. This condition also requires surgery. Discuss both options with your vet.

Q My five-year-old rabbit seems to be crying all the time. Is this serious?

A It is probably blocked tear ducts, meaning his tears do not drain away normally and overflow from his eyes. Other causes include allergies or infection, though usually there would be a discharge or redness around the eyes. Visit your vet for a full diagnosis.

Q My six-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd cross bitch suffers from bouts of diarrhoea. What will cure her?

I think she has inflammatory f bowel disease, a notoriously difficult condition to treat. Low-allergen food helps, as does medication such as salzopyrene, which helps moderate gut bacteria levels. Fibre additives and pro-kolin paste also help. This has microorganisms found in a healthy gastrointestinal tract, plus kaolin and pectin, which bind the stools and line the gut. It can be used sporadically when diarrhoea strikes.

Q My two-year-old half-Siamese cat keeps biting the fur off her legs and has a few bald patches. How can I get her to stop?

A Allergies could be to blame, a f common one in house cats being dust mites. Using a dust-mite eradicating house spray on your carpets could help. Also, treat her for fleas, a common cause for over-grooming. If the bald patches keep developing, your vet may consider allergy work-up.

Q Is it safe to give my elderly cat cod liver oil tablets? He has stiff hind legs.

A It won't harm him but they are more likely to make his coat shiny than help his joints. Your vet can give you chondroprotectants, medication which improves the protective surfaces of joints called cartilage. Daily use will help your cat's stifflegs.