DEAR PDSA Vet: I just brought home my first budgie. I want to give him treats, but I’m worried I might make him sick. What should I feed him? Julian
Good nutrition is essential and all birds require specific diets tailored to their needs.
I would suggest investing in high quality pellets as a staple food for your budgie as they contain just the right amount of nutrients.
Pellet feeds are now much easier for birds to digest, so you no longer have to buy grain. Fresh fruits and vegetables are great for making healthy treats – one or two miniature-sized pieces per budgie per day are ideal.
Cut them into manageable pieces and wash them well to remove any chemicals. Introduce new foods slowly for at least a week to avoid your budgie getting stomach upset.
For more information on providing a healthy life for your budgie, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk/budgiewelfare.
Dear PDSA Veterinarian, My eight year old Yorkshire Terrier is taking a terrible breath even though I give her dental pens. Is that normal? Dave
Bad breath (or bad breath) isn’t as normal as we might think – it’s most often a sign of dental disease.
Often caused by tartar formation, gingivitis or tooth root abscesses. Unfortunately, your Yorkshire Terrier belongs to many breeds that are more prone to dental problems.
Although your dog may not seem uncomfortable at the moment, changes in their breath can sometimes mean more serious conditions, such as kidney or bowel problems, and even diabetes.
I would recommend contacting your veterinarian so they can have a thorough mouth exam – a task that can be very difficult at home.
Even if your veterinarian doesn’t determine a serious problem, it might be a good idea to start a toothbrushing routine.
You should always be sure about these things.
Dear PDSA Vet, My three year old cat seems to have had problems urinating lately and sometimes sheds blood. It doesn’t really go out much either – do you think something could be seriously wrong? Steph
If you have difficulty getting urine and blood into the urine, it indicates something is wrong and can make your cat very uncomfortable and in pain. I would recommend that you have them checked out by your veterinarian right away. Cats can develop urinary problems due to stress, which can cause the lining of the bladder to become inflamed. You need to look for causes of stress that may need to be addressed to prevent it from recurring. For example, since she does not want to go outside, she may feel intimidated by neighboring cats. If possible, bring a sample of your cat’s urine to the appointment as an extra aid to your veterinarian’s exam. For more information on the effects of stress in cats, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/stressincats.
Dear PDSA vet: My bichon frize keeps scratching its skin and biting its paw. I recently had him treated for fleas, why could he do that? Joanne
Most dogs scratch occasionally, but excessive scratching can indicate something is wrong. Aside from fleas, itchy skin can be a symptom of many different conditions, including an allergic reaction to something in your pet’s diet and / or environment. For example, things like pollen, trees, storage mites, dust mites, or grass, among others, can affect our pets. This can happen at certain times of the year or all year round, depending on what your pet is sensitive to. If left untreated, skin conditions can seriously affect the health and quality of life of our pets, and often cause the skin to become increasingly red or inflamed. I recommend seeing your vet as soon as possible so they can investigate possible causes such as parasites or allergies.
