Ask The Experts

Tap, don't talk!

Maureen Tay 8 years ago

Q: I think my 13-year-old Maltese is losing his hearing. He doesn’t know when I’m calling him, or respond unless I’m very loud and/or near him. I’m afraid that his safety may be compromised when I bring him out or when there are any hazards nearby that he cannot hear. Can he be trained to understand other cues?

walking woes

Animal Recovery Referral Centre 8 years ago

Q: About two weeks after my 15-year-old Pomeranian was diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome, he had trouble walking. His hind legs are clumsy and he sometimes crosses them over while walking or drags them around. Can acupuncture improve his gait?

chubby and creaky

Dr Grace Heng 8 years ago

Q: Does arthritis affect rabbits? My Netherland Dwarf is turning seven next year and she is on the chubby side! Is she at risk of arthritis?

foul bum

Dr Tai Yesun 8 years ago

Q: Recently, my sterilised cat’s derriere has been very pungent. I thought he might have gotten some poop on himself, but even after bathing him, he smells. The area where his testicles used to be is a tad swollen. Do cats have anal glands like dogs?

Muzzle movement

Maureen Tay 8 years ago

I am interested in muzzle training my four-year-old dog, as I’ve heard that it can be useful during vet procedures and emergencies. Is it worth teaching him?

Proper pee

Dr Bruce Syme 8 years ago

My vet recently found that my Sheltie’s urine has an abnormally high pH. She is on a prescription kibble diet, but the ingredients don’t look very good. Should I switch her back to her regular freeze-dried raw diet?

Super strip-off!

Bernard Ong 8 years ago

I am considering getting a Westie puppy as a pet, and am thinking of hand stripping his coat. I understand that if done correctly, stripping should not hurt the dog at all. What’s your advice on this?

Is it the end?

The Animal Ark Veterinary Group 8 years ago

I have a six-year-old senior pooch, and for the past two months, her appetite has dipped, and she has become very lethargic. This week, she started refusing her meals, and seems too weak to walk. She has also had pee accidents, so we put her on diaper. Is my dog dying?

backbone bane

Dr Liang Xutian 8 years ago

Recently, my four-year-old Dachshund has been feeling pain when I carry him. The vet prescribed pain killers and rest for two weeks, but his condition has worsened. Now, he can’t even get up on his own and has been dragging his hind legs on the floor. Can traditional Chinese medicine help him?

bloody feathers

Dr Grace Heng 8 years ago

I adopted a one-year-old love bird six months ago. Recently, I noticed blood stains in his cage. His feathers are falling out, so we know he is moulting, but there are wounds on his body. What is happening?

Puss' pimples

Dr Tai Yesun 9 years ago

I noticed some bumps on my cat’s chin and near her lower lips. They resemble pimples, and she seems irritated by it (she paws at it). Can cats get acne?

Is it a toothache?

The Animal Ark Veterinary Group 9 years ago

Over the past few days, my eight-year-old Westie seems to be hurting near her mouth. When I tried to feed her supplements and clean her teeth, she let out a loud yelp. She also screamed when I towel-dried her muzzle after bathing. I’ve noticed she has difficulty chewing hard treats and kibble. What could be wrong?

Failed fur-cut

Bernard Ong 9 years ago

My groomer made a mistake and accidentally trimmed my Bichon Frise’s fur too short. I was not the only one who didn’t like it—my furkid seems unhappy and is behaving strangely after the session. What could have happened?

All plugged up

Dr Liang Xutian 9 years ago

My 13-year-old cat has had on-and-off episodes of constipation for two years. He had to undergo manual removal of his faeces on a few occasions as he’s sometimes unable to poop for up to five days. This requires general anaesthesia and the risks worry me. What could be causing his constipation?

gummy pains

Dr Bruce Syme 9 years ago

My 13-year-old dog has lost most of his teeth, and I’ve noticed that he’s starting to have difficulty eating. Are there any soft yet nutritious foods you can suggest for him?