Pooch Won't Keep His Paws Off My Sofa

Feb 10 2008 Scott Miller

Q How do I stop my four-year-old golden retriever lying on my sofa when I'm not at home? He doesn't do it when I'm there.

A Lock him out of your living room and give him a comfy bed in the kitchen. You could booby trap the couch. Go out then sneak around to the side of your house to spy on your dog. When he jumps up, use a loud noise to startle him, such as turning on a CD player by remote control. One mild fright will keep him away for good.

Q My three-year-old King Charles has Cushings disease for which he takes Vetoryl tablets. He has trouble breathing, is overweight and often stumbles when walking. Can you explain his condition?

A Cushings disease causes dogs to drink and urinate more. They will feel hungry, suffer poor coat condition, gain weight and have a sagging belly. The tablets are meant to stop the over-production of a hormone which causes this. If your dog does not have a heart problem, his Cushings and weight may be causing his breathing difficulties. The stumbling could be caused by weakness or an undetected hind limb/pelvic abnormality, so get him X-rayed. The medication and a strict diet should help him regain his lost youthful vigour.

Q My whippet is usually well behaved but hates the vet. How can I help him overcome this fear?

A Change your approach to the vet. Use a different route to get there so he won't feel stressed. Remaining calm will also keep him at ease. Visit your vet often even when he doesn't need treatment so he can be fussed over and given treats. If there is no improvement, sedative tablets can calm him before visits.

Q My guinea pigs have nasty red scabs around their necks and keep scratching. What has caused this?

A It may be mange mite, picked up from unsterilised straw bedding. Mites can cause severe itchiness and scratching. Visit your vet immediately so the mites can be treated and the itching soothed, usually with a series of anti-parasitic injections.

Q My 12-year-old boxer has a heart murmur. He is active, eats well and seems fine aside from having a rough cough. Will he get better with time and tablets?

A Boxers are prone to heart murmurs. It means the valves of the heart don't close properly, affecting blood flow. The resultant pressure changes cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, leading to coughing. He needs diuretics and heart medication from a vet.