I have a long haired Jack Russell who is approx 10-years-old. For a very long time now he has been suffering with his ears. He goes mad to scratch them, rubs them along the concrete floor and basically just scratches until he has made the outside of his ears bleed.

His ears are burning hot to touch. We have had his ears washed out at the vet’s recommendation, and read books. One suggested that it might be canker or even a form of hay fever, but the vet said it was impossible as dogs don’t get canker. V Jeffries, West Oxfordshire

This sounds like more than a simple ear infection. Although this may not be hay fever it may be another form of allergic disease.

Although rare, some allergic conditions seem to affect almost exclusively the ears and I have noted a similar reaction in dogs with a dietary intolerance.

It may be worth investigating this avenue. I had a dog who reacted like this when he was fed pigs ears as a treat! Is there possibly a link with something he eats?

You could ask for a referral to a skin specialist if you cannot get any joy with your local vets.

Canker was used many years ago as a descriptive term for ear infections in dogs, although ear infections still happen vets do not like to use this word.

I have a seven-week-old King Charles spaniel pup. I took him to the vets last week as his eyes were looking sore, and he had a little discharge from them a bit like conjunctivitis.

The vet was undecided as to what it was, but prescribed eye ointment and antibiotics. It has now been four days and his eyes look worse than ever as they are quite swollen and look like, what I can only describe as fatty tissue poking out around the eyelids.A Burford, Charlbury

This does sound like a nasty infection, the tissue you see poking out is probably swollen, inflamed conjunctiva.

These infections can be difficult to treat and it sounds like the response to this course of treatment is poor.

You should probably take him back earlier than planned. If your vet is still puzzled by the condition he may suggest you have the puppy examined by an eye specialist.

We have an eight-year-old shitszu and last Christmas she went all limp on us. Her spine went crooked and she couldn’t stand up.

We thought she’d had a stroke. We took her to the vets and she was treated and gradually got her balance back.

Six weeks later the same happened again and she was x-rayed and he reckoned there was a bit of arthritis in the joints. We’ve got her on anti inflammatory tablets. Could she be having a fit or some kind? M Smith, Central Oxford

This does not sound like a fit. More likely it is related to her arthritis. The treatment for this is normally anti inflammatories.

However, I cannot rule out the possibility of fits.

See how she goes on her drugs and keep in close contact with your vet.