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1067 results for “Ear cleaning”
Bad Breath in Dogs and Cats Is Not “Heat”—3 Types to Self-Check
When dogs or cats have bad breath, many owners assume “heat” and reach for cooling teas or herbs—but most pet halitosis is a disease signal, not a temperature issue. A rotten, fishy odor with red gums, tartar, hesitant eating, or drooling points to periodontal disease (over 70% of pets over 3 years); a strong urine or ammonia smell with extra drinking, extra urination, lethargy, and low appetite signals declining kidney function; and a sour, fermented odor with burping, acid reflux, worse on an empty stomach, and soft stool points to gut or liver trouble. Mild breath, teething at 3–6 months, or a meaty diet smell are normal. Severe or symptomatic breath warrants a vet visit—blood and organ checks—not “cooling” remedies.
Cat Ringworm and Stubborn Skin Issues: How to Choose Treatment
Ringworm (dermatophytosis, often Microsporum canis) is famously stubborn and recurrence-prone, and the usual reason is that a surface-only spray never reaches the fungi hiding in the dermis—so it looks better for a day or two, then flares again. Human products can also irritate cat skin. The practical rule is to match the treatment to severity: a broad-spectrum antiseptic spray for early mild spots, a terbinafine spray for a confirmed simple fungal infection, and a ketoconazole-plus-metronidazole ointment when the lesion is ulcerated, smelly, and mixed with bacteria. This article explains why ringworm recurs, how to pick by stage, and the cautions (licensed products, environmental cleaning) that actually stop it coming back.
What to Do About a Cracked Turtle Shell
How to handle a cracked shell depends on severity. Minor scratches or surface cracks can be treated at home, while large breaks or deep fractures need a veterinarian quickly. To prevent damage, keep turtles off high places and clean their habitat often to avoid bacterial infection. A turtle's shell can regrow, so most minor injuries heal with patience.
Why Does Your Cat Stick Out Its Tongue?
Cats stick out their tongues for many reasons, including cooling down, cleaning the mouth, relaxation, and illness, or simply as a normal habit. They pant lightly to release heat through tongue vessels, and their barbed tongues groom the body and clear food and bacteria from the mouth. Frequent or long-lasting tongue-out behavior, though, can signal a health problem worth checking.
What Colors Can Dog Eyes Be?
Dog eye colors vary widely: brown, black, and blue are most common, while green and gold are rarer, and some dogs show heterochromia, or two different-colored eyes. Color is genetic, but age, health, and environment can change it over time. Puppies are born with light eyes that darken with age. Whatever the shade, each pair is unique, so watch and care for your dog's eyes, cleaning them regularly and seeing a vet at the first sign of trouble.
Can You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth With Human Toothpaste?
Never brush a dog's teeth with human toothpaste. Many human formulas contain ingredients toxic to dogs, especially fluoride and xylitol. Dogs swallow the foam instead of rinsing, so toxins build up: fluoride can cause vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and over time kidney and nerve damage, while xylitol is far worse, just 0.1 g per kg of body weight triggers severe low blood sugar and 0.5 g/kg can cause acute liver failure. Mint flavors also make dogs resist brushing. Use a pet toothpaste (look for VOHC approval), brush at least three times a week, and see a vet for red, bleeding gums or worsening breath, which may mean periodontitis.
Can Cat Flu Leave Lasting Effects After Recovery?
Feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu), caused by feline herpesvirus FHV-1, cannot be cured—the virus hides for life in the trigeminal ganglion and can reactivate whenever the cat is stressed, the season changes, or immunity dips. Most cats recover and live normally, but some are left with mild, manageable effects: a sensitive nose that drips in cold or dusty air, heavier tear staining from narrowed tear ducts, or—in high-risk cases—repeated flare-ups that can progress to chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. Good care (warm stable surroundings, humidity control, stress avoidance, balanced nutrition with lysine and vitamins, and regular vaccines) keeps recurrence rare. This article explains the sequelae, why only some cats get them, and how to minimize repeat episodes.
Common Misconceptions About Dog Deworming
Common deworming mistakes include focusing only on external parasites, not understanding the medication, using products too often, ignoring environmental cleaning, and choosing a drug that does not match the parasite. Parasites split into internal and external types with many species, so if your dog is infected, pick the right dewormer for that parasite and use the correct dose. Proper deworming protects both your dog and your family.
Can Canine Parvovirus Spread to Humans?
Canine parvovirus is a common, highly contagious dog disease that affects canids such as dogs, foxes, and wolves, but it does not infect people directly. Humans can still carry the virus on hands and clothing after touching an infected dog or its waste, spreading it to other dogs, so thorough disinfection matters. Parvo mainly attacks the gut and immune system, causing vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and weight loss, and is especially dangerous to puppies. Prevention through vaccination, isolation of sick dogs, prompt veterinary care, and thorough environmental cleaning is the best defense.
Common Diseases in Hamsters
Hamsters face several common diseases, including tumors, respiratory conditions, digestive problems, skin issues, and dental trouble. Some are easy to prevent, for example by offering chew tools so teeth stay the right length, which lowers the chance of dental disease. To protect your hamster, take preventive measures early, watch its behavior and symptoms closely, and visit a veterinary clinic promptly if anything seems wrong.