Letters from readers:

IN a recent letter there was a problem with a dog getting a cold, or something with similar symptoms, and finding it hard to shake. The first thing to do is to have this dog seen by a vet. It may be worth having the vet do a full blood count and also test for hypothyroidism, which contributes to the breakdown of the immune system.

Once you have ruled this out, take a look at the dog's nutrition. What food is the dog eating? Try to find a good canine nutritionist to help with this - it may be a vet who has studied nutrition to a high level or an independent nutritionist who can help the dog. The nutritionist may wish to see the blood count as this will help with analysis of which nutrients are lacking in the dogs diet.

The dog should certainly not be outside sleeping, exposed to the cold weather. Dogs get cold like we do and if the dog is ill then the cold is not doing him any good. Check your dog's temperature and feel for hot spots by running your hands over the body and feeling for differences in temperature. This could indicate something going on within the dog if the temperature is raised in a specific area.

Is it drinking enough water? Water should be fresh daily and preferably filtered as tap water can contain chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride.

The dog in question may have recovered by now, but in order to prevent problems such as those mentioned, please never leave your dog outside in cold or wet weather, especially if it sits or lies on concrete or wet grass.

If you are not sure how to judge conditions just use yourself as a model. Would you be comfortable sitting outside where the dog sits, or would you be frozen or wet through? If you could not remain healthy in such conditions, then your dog also will not be healthy. - Niki

Electric collar use

In reply to the person asking about electric collars in your last issue, the problem here is that they will not do the owner or her dog any favours and can make the dog more aggressive.

Over 95% of behaviour problems in dogs are nutrition-related and not so much a lack of control or boredom. The electric collar would also ruin her relationship with her dog completely. How could the dog trust an owner who controlled it by pain and fear? - Niki