I'm 15 years old and about to buy a ten week old cocker spaniel bitch. At the moment it is being fed on Beta puppy food as I'm planning to work her when she’s older.
Ask The Vet
Tony Buckwell
Your gundog’s health is a primary concern. Our resident expert, Tony Buckwell, is a retired veterinary surgeon who now acts as an advisor on animal welfare, breeding and husbandry.
If you are concerned about your dog’s health, always seek veterinary advice.
What’ll it be like when my gundog has puppies?
I'm apprehensive about the big day and want to be prepared.
Why you should never feed your dogs chocolate
I have always been told that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Is this really true because I have a friend who often uses choc drops to reward his dog and has never found them to be a problem? Toxic chocolate Chocolate is definitely poisonous to dogs and, in sufficient quantity,…
Why does my dog drag its bottom?
Q: My dog drags its rear end along the ground frequently. I am told this is a sign that he needs his anal glands emptied by a vet. Why is this a recurring problem for him when other dogs don’t seem to suffer to the same extent? View this…
Why is my dog losing weight?
Gun dog health: My dog has always lost a lot of weight towards the middle of the shooting season.
How do I keep my dogs warm in kennels in winter?
I have two labradors kenneled outside and want to sort out the best type of bedding for them for the coming winter.
Just how serious a threat is lungworm to dogs?
Q: How serious is lungworm and should I be routinely treating my dogs? An emerging disease A: Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) infection is what we call an “emerging” disease. Initially found mainly in the south of the UK, it is gradually becoming more common. How is lungworm transmitted? Lungworm is not…
How can I protect my dogs from horsefly bites?
Q: I usually take my two Labradors with me when I tend to my horses and have noticed that there seem to be a lot of horseflies around this year, which can give a nasty bite. I generally spray myself with insect repellent to keep them away from me, but…
Should dogs drink ice-cold water?
Q: I have heard that I should not allow my dog to drink iced water in hot weather because it causes bloat. Can you tell me if this is true? If not, can I safely give my dog iced water? A: As far as I am aware there is no real…
Does your Labrador have this disgusting habit?
Eating other dogs’ faeces is an antisocial habit we ask Paul Rawlings how to prevent it
Common garden plants that are deadly to dogs – and what to do if they eat one
Gundog training: My gundog likes to eat all sorts of grass and weeds, and sometimes chews and swallows earth and wood as well.
Is my dog going blind?
I'm worried for my gundog's health! I have an elderly, but fit, Labrador and I am concerned that he may be going blind.
What you should know about dog bloat
Risk and factors of bloat in dogs A recent study by the Royal Veterinary College’s Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System, which looked into the frequency, risk factors and survival of dogs that had bloat, found that of the dogs that underwent surgical treatment, 80% survived. (It should be borne in…
Here’s why you should never ignore a dog’s broken tooth
A vet explains why one reader was charged £150 to have his dog's molar removed
How to make a dog vomit in an emergency
Most wild mushrooms aren't poisonous to dogs, but there are some symptoms of poisoning that you should watch out for
Should I feed a dog before exercise?
Q: I was told that you should not feed a dog before a day’s shooting. I typically feed my dog around 6.30am and we do not start the first drive until around 9.30am. Do you think that is long enough? I have never had any problems. A: Dogs need sufficient…
Why has my young sprocker lost form?
Q: My three year old sprocker spaniel had a good summer, even though she failed to conceive after two matings. Since the season started she has been beating with me three days a week and she just looks lacklustre. By early afternoon she is usually walking at my side. A: Presuming…
How to treat paw injuries in the field
A: It can affect a dog but tetanus is relatively uncommon, particularly if a wound bleeds to any extent. There is no equivalent vaccination available for dogs as there is for humans. Treatment for paw injuries Though small wounds are probably best left open to heal naturally and larger wounds may require stitches, when you are out…
How to treat your dog’s pollen allergies
With the warm weather upon us, Dr Neil McIntosh reveals how to treat your dog's pollen allergies