Q In 2006, our Staffordshire Bull Terrier started to suffer from inter-digital cysts.

At that time he was given antibiotics and steroids and then a biopsy to determine what infection was in the cysts. Since then he has suffered on and off with this problem but never as bad as in 2006.

The vet has suggested seeing a dermatologist. In your opinion do you think this is the best way to go?

S Kim, Abingdon A This condition is a deep bacterial infection which develops between the toes of dogs and results in the formation of painful abscesses; it is most common in short-haired breeds.

I do agree that a consultation with a skin specialist (dermatologist) is a good idea.

In a case like this, where the infection is recurrent, there may be an underlying problem which leaves your dog more prone to the condition.

This can be allergic disease, a type of mange called demodex, infection with a yeast called Malassezia, or it may be a resistant infection which needs a longer/ stronger course of antibiotics.

Your skin specialist should be able to pinpoint the problem.

Q I found an owl this morning, very small but adult. It flew into a power line. It’s still alive.

The right wing has extensive damage and I doubt it can be saved. How can I help this owl?

What supplies will I need to amputate the wing and for medication and future care if the owl survives?

Vicky Williams, Blackbird Leys A Please do not attempt to treat this bird yourself.

You cannot amputate the wing – to do so if you are not a vet would be illegal and you would almost certainly do much more harm than good.

Please take this owl to your local vet. The majority of vets would take the owl and provide appropriate treatment free.

If you are not happy to take the bird to the vet, call Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital on 01980 629470 for help.

Q The other day I saw my ewe had a really runny nose. The stuff from her nose was hanging down and she kept coughing.

Apart from this, the ewe didn’t appear distressed, and was grazing as normal and running to the gate when I came out. Should I call the vet? My mum says it’s a waste of time as sheep live or they die. Do sheep get colds?

A Clarke, Witney A Sheep do get colds and we vets would call them upper respiratory infections.

Like human colds, they tend to be caused by viruses – and sheep recover from these fairly quickly.

There are other possibilities for the symptoms you describe, including nasal bot fly, pneumonia, lungworms and lung cancer. I always advise that coughing is OK as long as the sheep is eating.

Bad signs would be the ewe going off food, looking lethargic and depressed, and breathing very rapidly; that would certainly be the time to call a vet.

Your mum is right! Sheep can be very frustrating creatures to treat but some do respond to treatment!

I have a client who had a 16-year-old ewe who had pneumonia more than once during her life.