Q: I have a goldfish with a blown-up stomach. It has been like this for nearly two years.

Could you give me any information on this condition and if it can be treated? Could this be something to do with its age?

John Bennett, New Marston, Oxford

A: This sounds like a chronic form of dropsy and in this case may be due to a slow growing tumour.

Dropsy is a symptom of kidney disease and is caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, tumours or poor water quality. It can affect any age of fish and can be difficult to treat.

Get the fish into a separate tank, increase oxygenation, and add Epsom salt – a large pinch to a five gallon tank is enough. Try this for two weeks.

Antibiotics and antiparasitic treatments often help but the most effective are only available from your vet.

Q: I have got a four-year-old King Charles Spaniel and she’s very itchy.

The vet says she hasn’t got worms and gave her cod liver oil tablets. I have done this for three weeks now but her scratching is driving me mad.

Can you please advise me what the matter could be.

Geraldine Griffiths, Didcot

A: She hasn’t got worms but has she got fleas?

The vast majority of itchy dogs I see have fleas. Other possibilities are mange mites, lice, a skin infection or an allergic skin disease.

Cod liver oil does contain oils and vitamins which help to keep skin healthy but it sounds like she needs more than this.

Treat her, and treat your house, for fleas – and if the itch continues take her back to your vet for a further examination.

They may decide to do further tests like scrapes and allergy tests. Don’t worry – most itchy skin problems are easy to treat and those that are not are usually controllable.

Q: Our Labrador is a nightmare during firework season. He tries to get under the sofa so we raise it up on bricks and get under there with him.

Sometimes he shakes for hours. What can we do to help him?

Andrea Bell, Wantage

A: You certainly are not alone with this one. so many dogs suffer stress from the noise of fireworks.

The first thing to do is speak to your vet about a DAP ( Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser. This device dispenses calming doggy pheromones into the room.

A den where he feels safe is a good idea but it is important not to make a big fuss of him as this will only encourage his behaviour.

Turn the TV up to help mask some of the noise from outdoors. I have had some success with a herbal product called valerian from Dorwest Herbs (dorwest.com).

If all of this is not enough, your vet may supply you with some sedatives as a last resort to help him through the worst of it.