My 7 year old male neutered cat has recently taken to urinating around the house. I have tried cleaning it up very well and using deodorisers, but the house is starting to smell and this is causing a lot of tension between my partner and myself. I have heard that you can buy a spray to help from the vets. How does this work?

The spray you mention is called Feliway, and it is also available as a diffuser. In new or stressful environments, many cats spray urine to show their “ownership” of the territory. The product is a chemical copy of the facial pheromones present in cats, and results in an emotional calming. Feliway can help in the following situations:

• New home
• Travel
• Boarding at cattery or vets
• Introducing a new cat
• New furniture
• Unfamiliar people
• Other animals

My ten year old female border collie has been drinking a lot more than usual for the last month. She is fit and lively in herself, and doesn’t appear to be at all ill. Is this anything to worry about?

I strongly recommend you pay a visit to your vet, who will probably want to carry out a blood and urine test (take a fresh urine sample with you if possible). Although polydipsia (increased drinking) can occur for no reason, it can be a common symptom of conditions including kidney and liver problems, diabetes and pyometra. Some diseases can be completely cured, others controlled, and the progress of others greatly reduced with treatment. So reach for the phone, and book that appointment now.

I have been caring for my aunt’s budgie since she was taken into a home six months ago. He has recently taken to vomiting all over his mirror. Is he missing her? I am worried he may be anorexic.

Your budgie is regurgitating to the image of himself in the mirror. He is making believe that he is feeding another bird out of loneliness. He would usually make this normal courtship gesture to another bird in the same cage, and it involves bringing up food material from the crop. This is normal bird behaviour, and he is not anorexic. I suggest you provide him with a friend to keep him company.

For the last month we have had a pony on loan for my daughter. He is perfect except for one very nasty habit – he keeps biting her. She is starting to become quite wary of him. I know she would be devastated if we sent him back. Can you offer any advice to help combat this?

You don’t mention where you keep the pony. They are naturally herd animals , and need to be with other horses to help keep them occupied. It is also normal behaviour to help form a pecking order within the herd. Think about your pony’s lifestyle, does he have plenty to keep him occupied? Check for ill fitting tack, sensitive areas on the body, and your daughter’s riding style. Does she unintentionally hurt him? Develop a new routine with several different exercises with variety, eg riding out, schooling, jumping & expose him to new experiences such as umbrellas, tarpaulins, football klaxons etc.

Work to break this cycle by bumping his mouth straight away with whichever part of your body is closest, and then return immediately to what you were doing. If your daughter is not confident enough for this have someone more experienced help her out. You should notice a big difference very quickly, so persevere.

My vet has just advised that my old dog, who has arthritis, goes on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement. What are these, and why are they necessary?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are significant contributors to easing the discomfort of arthritis in both humans and animals. Plus these substances actually promote tissue healing and repair.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are used to slow the progression of osteoarthritis - the deterioration of cartilage between joint bones - and to decrease the associated pain. Glucosamine is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin is believed to promote water retention and elasticity in cartilage, and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage. In veterinary medicine, glucosamine and chondroitin, usually in combination, are commonly used in the treatment of degenerative joint disease.

These should be used as part of a general programme combining weight management, regular low-impact exercise, and anti-inflammatory medications if required.

My horse has developed lots of scabs and crusts on his lower legs over the winter, and is losing hair in this area. His skin is red and swollen underneath them. They seem quite tender. What is causing this?

It sounds as if your horse may have mud fever. This is fairly common when persistent wet and muddy conditions underfoot predispose to "chapping", and allow bacteria to invade the skin of the lower limbs. It is aggravated by washing the legs and not drying them properly, and is most common in horses with thin skins. Hence the wisdom of allowing mud to dry and then brush, not wash, off.

Treatment consists of stabling to allow drying (it tends to disappear in dry warm weather). Clean the legs with an antiseptic or disinfectant, then dry them thoroughly. Apply propamidine cream or zinc ointment.

In severe cases the legs may swell and the horse may even develop a fever. If this occurs you should consult your veterinary surgeon, who may prescribe topical antibiotics with or without corticosteroids.

I am thinking of buying my seven year old twins rabbits for their birthday, and am keen to avoid bringing any more little bunnies into the world. Is it best to have two males? Or would a guinea pig make a better companion?

Rabbits are social animals and prefer company. If kept in groups, it is recommended that males are neutered at 3-4 months old, and females at 6 months old. Prices vary from region to region, so contact your vet to find out what this will cost. A neutered male and a spayed female is a good combination. Males will usually fight if kept together so they must be neutered. It is not recommended to keep rabbits with guines pigs.

Try contacting your local rescue centre. They often have many rabbits needing homes, and they may also help with neutering costs.

I have a nine year old male neutered cat, who keeps suffering from repeated bouts of frequent urination, often containing blood. The vet has diagnosed cystitis, and recommended a special diet. How can this help?

Cystitis or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a condition often associated with the formation of crystals in the urinary tract that can cause several painful symptoms for your cat. The two most common types of crystals are struvite and oxalate. Prescription diets are formulated to provide nutritional management of struvite related FLUTD. Struvite crystals are usually formed in response to urine that is saturated with magnesium, ammonium and phosphorus, combined with an alkaline urinary pH.

Prescription diets restrict magnesium content and acidify urine, to promote dissolution and prevent formation of struvite crystals.

This condition usually affects middle-aged, over-weight, inactive male neutered cats. It is exacerbated by restricted out-door access, using mainly an indoor litter tray, and often eating a dry food diet. These cats are often from multi-cat households, which is thought to increase stress.

Always keep a very close eye on your cat when he is suffering from cystitis. If at any stage he seems unable to pass urine at all, he may be suffering from a blockage, and must be seen by a vet at once.