Q&A

New dog owners often make avoidable mistakes: skipping deworming, skipping vaccinations, over-bathing, feeding toxic human foods, and keeping the dog confined indoors. These habits can seriously harm a dog's health.

Whether red, swollen gums heal on their own depends on the cause and severity. Trauma-related swelling may self-heal; viral, immune, or serious disease usually won't. For mild cases, an anti-inflammatory oral spray helps; with other symptoms, see a vet.

An infected, pus-discharging wound needs veterinary debridement. Flush with saline or hydrogen peroxide, disinfect with iodine, apply pet wound medication and bandage, and give oral anti-inflammatories. Keep an Elizabethan collar on to prevent licking.

Prioritize deworming and vaccination from 6 weeks; feed small frequent meals, low salt and fat; keep a dry, warm, draft-free home.

Generally no - immunity is low and mood is irritable, risking chills and bites. Wipe with a damp towel or dry shampoo instead.

A kitten can be vaccinated once it's at least two months old and healthy - vaccines are live-attenuated or inactivated viruses, so a sick kitten can actually get ill from them, and under two months maternal antibodies cancel the vaccine out. Health and age are both required.

Kittens usually start vaccines at about two months old - before that, maternal antibodies can neutralize the vaccine. Once those antibodies wane, begin with the FVRCP (feline distemper) vaccine, then give the rabies shot about a week later (rabies is typically given at around three months). Only vaccinate a healthy kitten.

A 2-month-old cat has intermittent diarrhea but stays active and eats well. Is it safe to vaccinate now, or should the diarrhea be resolved first?

Xinchong Zhikang tablets use praziquantel to kill tapeworms and flukes; safe and cheap but narrow-spectrum, so rotate with broader dewormers.

Dogs that play in grass and dense trees are more likely to get ticks. Outdoor dogs need regular parasite control. A poor living space also raises risk. To remove a tick, numb it with alcohol, then pull it out once the mouthparts loosen, and apply external deworming.