New season trends?

How do the seasons affect dogs?
Does their behaviour change depending on the season? Humans can get SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) where we feel more depressed when the days are longer, but can dogs suffer from a similar thing? And does day length affect them?

Anon, via email.

Cartrophen concerns

My dog was prescribed four Cartrophen injections. For the first injection, the serum in the bottle was coloured with a tinge of yellow. The following three injections were a serum of clear colour.

When I asked the vet she said it was just old stock. I’m concerned as treatment has not been successful. What should I do?

Lance Bates, via email 

Laddie's new diet

Help!

My Affenpinscher Laddie keeps gaining weight! I have tried feeding him carrots and fruit but he wouldn’t touch them, nor would he eat boiled cabbage. I feed him Lily’s kitchen, which he loves and I have also cut his portion sizes down. I don’t want to put him on a prescription diet and I’m not prepared to starve him.

He’s regularly vet checked, and although he is almost nine and has a heart murmur he is very healthy. What can I try to keep his weight under control?  

Thank you 

S. Thompson

Fleas a crowd

Hello

Please can you recommend a natural treatment to protect my dog (and cats) from fleas and ticks? 

I don't like using spot on drops on them - my dog has a reaction to them and I think it may have caused my old cat to have nerve damage. Do you know of any alternative natural treatments that are effective?

I hope you can help. 

Thank you
Sian, by email 

All stressed out

We have an eight year old rescue entire German Shepherd who has been living with us since January this year. He has settled in well at home, but we are now concerned that he is showing signs of stress.

He moves his ears back when we stroke him, put his lead on or approach him, and he used to pant a lot. He also constantly bites his dew claws and sometimes his front claws. Is this also a sign of stress?  Should we get his dew claws removed? Or is it best to leave him alone and hope it will all settle down?

Any advice or ideas will be very welcome.

Mel Edwardes, via email.

Operation recovery

My female Shih Tzu cross had a luxating patellar operation, and I have been restricting her exercise ever since so that she recovers well. 

What is the best aftercare for a knee operation like this? I haven't seen much of an improvement in her walking yet, so I don't know if her muscles are fully recovered or not. Has anybody had a similar experience?  

Sally, by email

Man's best friend

Dear Dogs Today 

I have been unwell for two months now, and it’s having a strange effect on my three-year-old bearded collie.

She used to go everywhere with my husband, and they loved going out for a long walk at lunchtime each day. She followed him loyally when out walking, and at home she would sit right next to him.

Since I have been unwell, she won’t go out with my husband at all. I don’t know what has changed her behaviour, and I’m hoping that when I feel better she will return to her normal behaviour.

Thank you for any tips you can give me.

Vera, via email