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475 results for “cleaning ears”
Ear Mites in Dogs: Why the Smell Means Trouble
Ear mites (Otodectes) are ear-canal parasites that feed on lymph and fluid; females are 0.35–0.45 mm, males 0.275–0.36 mm—barely visible white dots. Left untreated they cause inflammation and crusting within about two weeks and can progress to middle or inner ear infection, even hearing loss and loss of balance. Signs: foul-smelling dark ear discharge, head-shaking and scratching, and sometimes worsened tear stains (the ear and facial nerves connect). Treat by isolating the dog and disinfecting its space, cleaning the canal, and applying a miticide as directed until gone; prevent with routine ear care. If it won't clear, see a vet. (Mites rarely infect people.)
Common Old-Age Diseases in Dogs
Dogs are seniors from about seven years, showing grey fur, clouded eyes, weaker hearing, slower movement and lost teeth, all normal aging. But the risk of heart disease, joint trouble and mouth disease also climbs. Aging hearts can cause fluid buildup and breathlessness, a fading pancreas can bring obesity and diabetes, joints stiffen, eyes cloud with cataracts, coats thin, and tartar and gum disease appear. Adjust diet to avoid excess calories and keep weight down to protect joints and metabolism.
How to Bathe a Rabbit Safely
Rabbits are timid and easily stressed, and a bath can lead to chilling and illness, so avoid frequent washing. For light dirt, spot-clean with a warm damp towel or use dry shampoo powder. Bathe only when truly dirty, using rabbit-specific products and drying the coat fully afterward. Never bathe a rabbit under six months or one that is sick or has diarrhea, and keep the ears dry to prevent infection.
Why Are My Cat’s Eyes Always Wet?
Constant wetness at a cat's eye corners is usually harmless tear pooling—after waking, mild dust, or the narrow tear ducts of flat-faced breeds like Exotics and Persians. But it can also signal conjunctivitis, keratitis, a blocked tear duct, or irritating fur. Yellow-green pus, swelling, or sneezing with poor appetite means a vet visit. Start with gentle cleaning and a few days of observation.
How Often Should You Trim Your Cat’s Nails?
Indoor cats don't wear their claws down naturally, so regular trimming protects your furniture, your skin, and the cat itself from ingrown or broken nails. Kittens need it every 2–3 weeks, adults about every 2–4 weeks, and seniors every 3–5 weeks. The key is to cut only the clear tip and avoid the pink quick, then reward your cat so the next session goes smoothly.
Why Do Dogs Get Cavities?
The most common causes of dog cavities are poor diet and poor dental cleaning, with age and genetics also raising risk. Once found, a decayed tooth is usually extracted so it does not harm neighboring teeth, though mild cases may be filled and elderly dogs may keep the tooth if anesthesia is risky; follow your vet's advice. Prevention is key: healthy food, regular brushing, and routine dental checks keep the mouth sound.
Midget Sucker Catfish
The Midget Sucker Catfish is 4 to 6 cm long, also called the Earspot Catfish. Unlike many catfish, it does not eat plants. Because of its tiny size and ability to enter very narrow spaces, some keep it as the 'cleaner' of the aquarium.
Flattened Musk Turtle
The Flattened Musk Turtle (Sternotherus depressus) is a small, critically imperiled musk turtle endemic to the Black Warrior River system in Alabama, USA. With a distinctly flattened shell and a shy, nocturnal nature, it is prized by keepers but almost never captive-bred, and habitat loss has left only about 15% of healthy populations.
Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle
The Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle (Claudius angustatus), nicknamed the king of the mud-and-musk turtles, is an expensive, fierce-tempered and highly entertaining aquatic turtle. It tolerates deep water but can still drown.
Leiothrix argentauris
The Leiothrix (xiang si niao, or 'lovebird' of the bird world) is a small, vivid-plumaged songbird kept in pairs. Two species are kept — the silver-eared mesia (Leiothrix argentauris, sweet call) and the red-billed leiothrix (bright red beak). Omnivorous and bath-loving, it needs fresh air, draft-free indoor housing, and a varied diet. Lifespan 4–5 years.