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."
Some owners are scared of putting their dogs under anaesthetic to have operations
Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can 'help keep pets happy and healthy'
Q: JERRY, my Yorkshire Terrier, is seven and has a growth called an epilus on his gum, which overhangs two of his top teeth.
Our vet confirmed this last year, but it is not painful and doesn’t seem to give him any problems.
He eats well and seems happy and healthy.
We haven’t had it removed as we’re scared of having him put under an anaesthetic to have the operation.
Should we put our fears to one side and have it removed?
Or leave it?
Helen Falzon, Bexley, Kent
Sean says: An epulis is a benign tumour of the gum tissue, and something we see fairly frequently in older dogs and certain breeds, with little terriers especially prone.
As long as it’s not growing too fast, causing discomfort, bleeding or getting in the way of Jerry’s eating I’d be inclined to just keep an eye on it.
If he needs to go under anaesthetic for anything else during the coming years your vet can always whip it off then.
Q: WHEN I wink at my gerbil Bill he seems to wink back at me. Is this normal?
He lives with another gerbil Dave and Dave isn’t so good at it, but does it occasionally.
What’s it all about?
Jill Dougherty, Glasgow
Sean says: I actually have no idea, Jill — this is a new one on me.
Are you sure he’s not just a blinker and you’re the one copying him?
Or perhaps he’s exercising some bizarre brain control experiment on you.
One to watch.
Q: MY cat Eric doesn’t like to go outside.
He’s three years old and just lounges around eating and sleeping.
I play with him to try to get him moving.
But he prefers hanging out on the sofa watching TV and snoozing.
When I put him out, he cries to come back in again.
Should I worry that he’s a lazybones?
I moderate his food to make sure he doesn’t put on too much weight.
Sharon Evans, Dorchester, Dorset
Sean says: My main concern was him getting overweight with too little activity, so good job on restricting his food a little.
There is also plenty you can do to encourage him to be active indoors — chasing games with a fishing rod, or lure toys.
Consider introducing climbing frames and high shelves where he is encouraged to sit.
Many cats are now kept indoors for their own safety, so if Eric just isn’t fussed about going out I wouldn’t force him.
Q: MY 11-year-old cockapoo Dillon has a really sore bottom.
We took him to the vet’s, where he had a thorough examination.
They did some tests and say he’s got hepatoid adenomas — a type of tumours.
So far, they haven’t done a full scan to check if cancer is any-where else.
But should we do this?
Also, they suggested chemotherapy or steroids.
We are thinking maybe steroids first.
Would you agree?
Sarah Atkinson, Manchester
Sean says: It’s hard for me to give specific advice without knowing, and working on, Dillon’s case.
But it’s a good opportunity to remind you, and HOAR on Sunday’s readers, that your relationship with your vet is a partnership.
The conversation isn’t over once you walk out of the clinic or last consultation.
So your best bet is to arrange another chat with your vet.
Chemotherapy or steroids are an option.
Chemotherapy probably will have the best outcome and steroids may just be a temporary relief.
This type of cancer is common in male dogs who haven’t been neutered.
So if Dillon’s not already "done", removing the hormonal driver for the tumours may also be part of the treatment plan.
Star Of The Week
PARIS the retired guide dog has been voted the UK’s happiest pooch.
Owner Kara Watson says her 12-year-old pet breaks into a grin when she gets a tummy tickle.
Paris, the retired guide dog, is a star pooch
Paris was named Britain’s happiest dog by trustedhousesitters.com.
Kara, 28, from Oxfordshire, said: "Paris is incredibly sweet and quiet, except for when she decides it’s dinner time and then she won’t stop headbutting you.
"Once she rolls over, you have to give her a tummy tickle.
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