Ask The Experts

While some types are normal, others can be associated with potentially serious health concerns.

If you see a small pinkish bump on your dog’s skin, chances are it is a wart.

Q: Are paw washers worth investing in? My two Malteses sleep with me on the bed and I’m not sure how clean their paws are after walks if I use just wet wipes. Will using a paw washer every day dry their paw pads and skin out? How can I make sure my dogs are clean enough to sleep on my bed in between baths?

Q: When my four-month-old Sealyham Terrier plays with my other dogs, she always goes for their legs or tails, often causing them to bruise. I’ve scolded her many times, but it doesn’t always work. What can I do to make her stop?

Q: My anxious 11-month-old rescue dog goes through rounds of panic and alert barking, and my trainer suggested giving it calming natural remedies like valerian root, Bach flower remedies and catnip extract. What natural remedies are safe to be given to my pooch and which would you recommend?

Q: Whenever my cat gets stressed, she has bloody poop. The blood is bright red and sometimes there’s a jelly-like mucus. No bacteria or parasites were found in her poop sample. The vet says the stress makes her bowels irritated. What can I do to help her cope or ease her bowels?

Q: My four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier had a seizure a week ago. After passing out and waking up disoriented, she was back to her normal self. It was the first and only time it has happened so far. What could be the possible causes of a seizure in a normally healthy dog, and what should I do when it happens?

Q: My two-year-old Maltese recently wet her bed in her sleep. She’s completely housetrained and even did her potty before bedtime. There was no blood in her urine, but she’s never lost control of her bladder like this before—especially not in her bed and not in such huge amounts. Could this be a urinary tract infection and if so, what other signs should I look out for?

Q: My guinea pig is incredibly mischievous and loves to empty her water bottle. She’ll sit next to it, put her mouth sideways over the end of the spout and push the ball up so it trickles past her mouth and into the cage! While it’s adorable, I worry that she doesn’t have enough to drink. What should I do?

Q: My Maltese had a blocked right anal gland sac for some time, which resulted in a hole near the anus that became infected. Several rounds of antibiotics didn’t help and he has now developed a perianal fistula. There are now three large holes in his anal area, and even his left anal gland is infected. Our vet has discouraged surgery and has put my dog on cyclosporin for a month. Will the condition be likely to improve and when can surgery be done to remove the root cause?

Q: I recently sent my Miniature Schnauzer to a new groomer and she emerged with a terrible haircut! Her muzzle fur was far too short, and her whiskers and eyelashes had been cut as well. Meanwhile her leg furnishings were short yet choppy. What can I do to ensure my dog gets a good haircut, and what should I do now that her hair has been ruined?

Q: My 10-week-old Border Collie has boundless energy. Besides daily walks, she gets an hour of play and an hour of training every day. She’s super smart and already knows how to sit, lie down, and roll over. But how do I go about teaching an overly excited puppy how to settle down or be calm?

Q: Recently, I bought some essential oils for myself and I read that they have various uses for dogs too. I understand not all of them are safe for dogs and that they have to be diluted before use. Which would you recommend, and for what purposes?

Q: Sometimes, my cat gets patchy, crusty red rashes on her belly that are extremely itchy. The vets aren’t too worried as it doesn’t happen all the time and they usually give her steroid cream or tablets. I know it’s usually in small doses, but it still worries me. Are there any alternatives to steroids?

Q: My three-year-old Miniature Poodle eats really quickly. It results in lots of smelly farts. Recently my sister’s pooch died of bloat. How do I tell the difference between a gassy Poodle and one that’s suffering from bloat?