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1916 results for “pica”
How Often Do Turtles Shed Their Shell?
Turtle shell shedding (ecdysis) is a normal part of growth: as the body enlarges, the old shell can no longer contain it, so a new one forms underneath. Turtles usually begin shedding around age 2 to 3, with each cycle lasting 1 to 3 months, most often in spring and summer when metabolism is high. After age 6, growth stabilizes and shedding slows. Owners must let the scutes detach naturallyânever pull themâand boost calcium and nutrition during the process. This article explains the timing, care, and warning signs.
Dog Vaccine Basics Every Owner Should Know
Core vaccines (must): distemper, parvovirus type 2, adenovirus type 2, rabies. Non-core (recommended by risk): parainfluenza, leptospira, Lyme, Bordetella, canine flu. Coronavirus vaccine is not recommended. 'X-in-1' just means how many diseases it covers; pick any combo containing core. Typical schedule: combo at 6, 9, 12 weeks, rabies at 14 weeks, then yearly. Stay 20â30 min post-shot to catch rare allergy (1.2%); skip baths 7â10 days, never vaccinate a sick dog, and don't buy vaccines onlineâuse a clinic and keep the vaccine record for the license and travel.
When Should a Kitten Start Deworming?
Even indoor cats can pick up fleas, mites, tapeworms, and roundworms, and a heavy parasite load harms the skin, gut, and normal growthâso a regular deworming schedule matters from a young age. Preventive treatment can begin as early as two to three months, while an active infection needs a targeted, gentle product suited to a kitten's sensitive stomach. This guide covers when to start, how often to repeat, and the key precautions around bathing and vaccines that every cat owner should know.
How Long Between a Cat’s Vaccination and Deworming?
Kittens are due for both vaccines and deworming around two months of age, and doing them together raises the risk of allergy or vaccine failure. The safe rule is to separate the two by at least a week. Vaccines briefly lower the cat's resistance while they build antibodies, and dewormers carry a small toxicity that the body tolerates only when healthy. This guide explains the interval and the practical cautions for both procedures so your cat stays protected without setbacks.
Why Is My Dog’s Stool Soft or Unformed, and What Helps?
Soft, unformed stool in dogs has several causes, from a simple upset after the wrong food to gastroenteritis, parasites, or even a viral infection. The right response depends entirely on the cause, so guessing at medicine can waste time. This guide walks through the four common reasonsâindigestion, gut inflammation, internal parasites, and virusesâand the matching treatment, from probiotics to a timely trip to the clinic.
Dog Is Bloated but Not Defecating â What to Do
A dog with a swollen belly that will not pass stool is usually constipated, but the underlying reason matters: it could be simple indigestion, a bowel blocked by a swallowed object, too little exercise, or a painful condition that makes the dog hold back. Matching the cause to the fix prevents a minor issue from becoming an emergency. This guide lists the common causes and the practical stepsâwater, probiotics, exercise, and portion controlâthat get things moving again.
Is My Cat Hiccuping or Something Else?
A cat that twitches or spasms isn't necessarily hiccuping. True hiccups appear as a series of brief, rapid jerks, often with a soft 'hic' sound, and are a normal reflex that helps expel stomach gasâusually triggered by eating or drinking too fast. If the twitching doesn't match that pattern, it may point to digestive issues (retching from hairballs or bloating), respiratory infections, or even neurological problems such as seizures. This article explains how to tell hiccups apart from more serious causes and when to see a vet.
Is It Normal for a Rabbit Not to Poop for a Day?
Rabbits digest food quickly and usually pass droppings soon after eating, so a full day without poop can be a warning sign. It may simply mean your rabbit ate little, or it could indicate constipation from poor feeding, lack of exercise, weak digestion, hairballs, or a dirty water supply. Owners should keep food and water fresh, monitor intake, and help with fluids, probiotics, and exercise when needed. Understanding the cause is keyâthis article breaks down why rabbits stop pooping and how to respond.
How to Deworm Your Cat
Both indoor and outdoor cats can catch parasitesâexternal ones (fleas, lice, ticks, mites) and internal ones (hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, heartworm, toxoplasma). Dewormers split into internal (by weight, oral) and external (by weight, topical, never let the cat lick). Indoor cats with no outings need only every 3â4 months; rotating products reduces resistance. Human dewormers with the same active ingredient (e.g., albendazole) can work and are cheaper, dosed by contentâbut check with a vet first.
How to Tell If Your Cat Has Parasites
Kittens often get parasites from mother's milk; adults pick up eggs or infected prey. Knowing the warning signs lets you act early. External parasites are visible: itching, hair loss, lice clinging to skin, white flea eggs, and black specks (flea dirt) that turn red in waterâwhich also hints at tapeworm, since fleas host it. Internal parasites show as dull coat, pale gums (anemia), tarry stool, vomiting, appetite loss, swollen belly, lethargy, or visible worms/segments in stool. See an online vet or clinic for a test.