Q&A

Black specks on a cat's tail are often flea dirt. Drop one in water—if it turns reddish, it is flea feces made from digested blood. Treat with a topical flea product and also disinfect the cat's environment to stop re-infestation.

Dogs can vomit white foam, yellow fluid, or green liquid, and each type points to different causes—from mild dietary upset to gastroenteritis, parasites, or serious viral infections. Watch for food debris in the vomit and act accordingly; see a vet if a puppy is involved.

Runny nose and sneezing are common cold symptoms in dogs, often joined by coughing, fever, rapid breathing, poor appetite, and lethargy. A vet-approved canine cold medicine can help; seasonal changes or chills are the usual triggers, so treat promptly to avoid complications.

Repeated sneezing with a dry nose in a dog is usually an early sign of a cold; a runny nose, fever and cough follow as it worsens. A canine cold medicine helps, but a vet visit is the safe call if symptoms persist.

Frequent sneezing with a dry nose in a dog usually signals a cold: the discharge dries the nose out and the dog licks it constantly. A canine cold medicine can help, but a vet visit is the safe call if symptoms are severe.

A dog is regarded as feverish above 39.2°C, so a reading of 39.5°C confirms a true fever. Give a canine-specific fever reducer, or have a vet administer an injectable antipyretic; below 39.2°C it is usually just a cold and a fever reducer plus a cold-relief supplement will do.

Ear-tip crusting in young dogs (roughly 5 months to adulthood) is most often a fungal skin infection. These infections are persistent and need a fairly long treatment course, but a pet-safe topical antifungal ointment applied to the cleaned, clipped area usually resolves it.

A Bichon Frise coughing with nasal discharge but no sneezing could signal either canine distemper or an early cold. For a simple cold, keep the dog warm and use a vet-approved canine cold remedy; if signs persist, get a veterinary check to exclude distemper.