I have a seven-year old cat called Pilchard. Two months ago she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) but since then her health seems to be deteriorating.

My vet decided he cannot give her the medication for the HCM because her blood pressure is too low.

I’ve phoned the vet again and he thinks I should put her to sleep. Would you agree with this ?

Julie Amersham, Caldecot

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a fairly common condition where the walls of the heart become increasingly enlarged, and eventually when the heart cannot get any bigger, it starts to fail.

The condition is thought to be inherited from parents.

There is no cure but drugs can help prolong life and some animals survive up to two years after diagnosis.

Pilchard’s symptoms are typical of this condition and it sounds like she cannot go on like this. It is time to take her to your vet and have a frank discussion about her future.

My rabbit’s hind legs are dragging but he has not broken his spine or any bones as we have had an X-ray.

He is going to the loo but I do have to clean him. He seems OK but he can’t put any weight on his legs and the vet cannot explain it.

Andrew Smith, Temple Cowley

I see more and more cases like this.

There are several possible causes of hind leg weakness in rabbits and given it sounds like his backbone is fine, this may be a case of E cunniculii.

This is a parasite which causes infection of the brain.

Your vet may be able to confirm this by having a blood sample analysed.

It is difficult to treat but some cases do respond to a prolonged course of a wormer, Panacur, which your vet may prescribe.

You need to get this sorted quickly because very soon he will get infected sores from the combination of dragging himself around and urine scald.

My daughter’s jack russell had puppies seven months ago and she kept one called Massie.

She is a lovely thing but she has chewed all of the corners of my daughter’s kitchen cupboards, skirting boards and door frames. She has lots of toys and her mum to play with – any ideas, HELP!

Lynne Brown, Oxford

Massie will probably only do this if she is either bored, stressed or both.

I take it this is happening when you are not around and so could probably be prevented by caging the puppy when you go out.

Most dogs take to this well and you could provide her with interesting toys to help keep her amused. Try stuffing a Kong (rubber toy available at www.zooplus.co.uk ) with tasty morsels, freeze it and leave it in her cage.

She will have hours of fun trying to get the food out!

Also, I suggest you start some obedience training and try to tire her out with long walks or play sessions.