Your+Dog++May+2019

Answers

DOG

66 Your Dog May 2019

HEALTH

Is lip fold

surgery

the answer?

HEALTH

Sick as a dog!

If your dog is regularly car

sick, try giving him

a few drops of ginger root

extract about 30 minutes

before going on a trip.

TOP TIP!

Q

Any advice on how to overcome car sickness? Are

there any natural remedies I could try?

Moira Johnson, Fife.

Holly says: Getting your dog used to

short, comfortable journeys from when

he is a pup is always the best way of

avoiding problems in the future, but

if you already have a car sick dog there are still

several things you can do to try to make the

situation easier.

Firstly, make sure that your dog is comfortable

and well secured in the car. Use a dog seat belt and

familiar bedding. Some dogs like to travel on the back

seat while others prefer the boot or footwell; see which

area suits your dog best. Make sure he hasn’t just eaten. Make

plenty of loo stops. A few drops of Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy on

the tongue may help any travel anxiety, and using ginger is a good

herbal remedy for motion sickness.

Panting may indicate

your dog is feeling

uncomfortable in the car.

Cocker Spaniels are

prone to lip infections.

Q

My Cocker Spaniel will be

eight years old this month,

and has been experiencing

lip fold infections on and of for the

past year. I have been treating her

with antibiotics and creams, which

have cleared it up, but it has come

back several times, and I am now

thinking of having her booked in

to have lip fold surgery to resolve

this situation. Is lip fold surgery

worthwhile and what is the success

rate? Is there any way to completely

eradicate the lip fold infection other

than surgery?

Lizzie Dawson, on Facebook.

Vicky says: In some cases,

lip fold infections can be

managed by daily cleaning

and drying, and by keeping

the hair clipped short. I have

recently discovered a chlorhexidine

foam, which is very useful in these cases

as it doesn’t make the dog too wet (and

it smells nice!); however, in many cases

surgery is required. My own success

rate has been very good with most

dogs not getting further infections, but

good post-op care is vital with use of an

Elizabethan collar to prevent rubbing at

the stitches.