#Ear Mites In Dogs

[pawpurrfect]

Ear Mites In Dogs

Ear mites, though tiny, can cause significant discomfort for our furry companions. Understanding the symptoms and appropriate treatment is crucial for maintaining their ear health. In this guide, we will delve into the world of ear mites in dogs, shedding light on the signs to watch for and how to address this common issue.

Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs

Intense Itching and Scratching – One of the earliest signs of ear mites is persistent scratching of the ears and head. Dogs may also rub their ears against furniture or the ground to alleviate the itching.

Dark, Coffee-Ground-Like Debris – The presence of a dark, grainy residue resembling coffee grounds in the ear canal indicates ear mites. This discharge is a combination of blood, wax, and mite waste.

Foul Odor from the Ears – Ear mite infestations can lead to a distinctive unpleasant odor emanating from the affected ears. This odor is often accompanied by other symptoms.

Redness and Inflammation – The ears may appear red, swollen, and irritated because of the constant scratching and presence of mites. In severe cases, this inflammation can lead to secondary infections.

Head Shaking and Tilting – Dogs with ear mites may vigorously shake their heads or tilt them to one side to dislodge the mites and ease discomfort.

Loss of Balance and Coordination – In advanced cases, the infestation may spread to the inner ear, affecting balance and coordination. This can result in a notable unsteadiness or difficulty walking.

Crusts on the Ear Surface – In advanced cases of ear mite infestation, you might notice dark, crusty crusts forming on the outer part of the ear. These crusts result from continuous irritation and scratching. Keep an eye out for these signs during regular ear checks.

Treatment of Ear Mites in Dogs

Consultation with a Veterinarian – If you observe any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is imperative to seek professional veterinary care. A veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination and confirm the presence of ear mites through microscopic evaluation.

Prescription Medications – Treatment typically involves the application of prescription ear drops or ointments specially formulated to eliminate mites, soothe irritation, and combat potential infections.

Cleaning the Ears- It is important to regularly keep your dog’s ears clean to remove excess wax and debris. Your veterinarian will provide guidance on the appropriate cleaning solutions and techniques.

Repeat Treatment and Follow-Up – It is crucial to follow the prescribed treatment regimen diligently. This may involve multiple applications of medication over a specified period. Regular follow-up appointments with the veterinarian ensure the mites are fully eradicated.

Environmental Cleaning – To prevent reinfestation, thoroughly clean and disinfect your dog’s living areas, including bedding and toys. Regular vacuuming can also help remove mites and their eggs.

Ear mites, though troublesome, can be effectively managed with prompt veterinary care and proper treatment. Recognizing the symptoms early and seeking professional help ensures your dog’s ear health is restored, allowing them to lead a comfortable and contented life. Remember, regular check-ups and routine ear cleaning are essential in preventing future infestations. By prioritizing your dog’s ear health, you’re taking a significant step towards their overall well-being and happiness.

#Cleaning the Ears #Ear Mites In Dogs #Crusts on the Ear Surface #Environmental Cleaning #Head Shaking and Tilting #Prescription Medications #Puppy Training Near me #Pet Grooming Services Near me #Dog Grooming Services Near me #Veterinary Care at home in Mumbai

[heart-forge]

Oooh I know I already bothered you once today but I haveee to ask. I'm asking everyone I love that writes IFs. So all my favorite authors.

If you had to get into a serious commited relationship with annnnyyy of the ROs in annny if your stories who would it be and why???

And I hope you had a wonderful fucking day!! ♥️

H'm well my cynical answer is Valerian because dollar dollar dollar dollar and god I want some money so bad. But also Siruud because I'm partial to huge guys ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#talkForge #just spent 75 dollars on ear mite meds for my dogs OTL valerian save me. save me rich guy. rich guy save me. #never a bother !! I'm doing fuck all jkhdjsk

[danielnelsen]

mr chronic ear infection finally got an allergy test and of course his strongest allergies are flies and dust mites

#now they make him a custom vaccine for all his allergies and maybe he’ll finally clear out his ears #georgie #dog #personal #i am also allergic to dust mites hooray an allergy pal

[jamesstacy1]

How Can Holistic Care Help Your Dogs?

As you are here, we believe you want to explore holistic treatment for dog ear mites or any other problems in your canine. Holistic treatments have been trending these days and it is time that you know its importance for your pets as well. A batch of holistic medicine treats the person as a whole including body, mind, and spirit. The system of medicine uses several processes such as herbal remedies, chiropractic massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, acupuncture, and sound therapy if needed to address a variety of conditions and ailments. 

People across the world spend in billions on alternative treatments for their children and adults, and their pets are also included in this expenditure. The pet owners often turn to alternative medicinal therapies when they know that their pets aren’t responding to traditional medicines and procedures. And, for those pet owners who have made nutrition, hygiene, cleanliness, priorities in their pets’ lives, choosing alternative therapies come naturally to them.

When it comes to holistic practices, there are several of them that may benefit your dog. Many vets in the world are combining holistic practices with traditional medicines, but before you embark on this new journey, you must consult your vet. There are various holistic treatments for dog eat mites available, your vet will help you choose the right one. 

Massaging for your Dog

If you had an opportunity to get a massage for yourself, you will know the benefits and healing attached to the same. Massage goes beyond simply relaxing your sore muscles and improves blood circulation, heals strains and pains, and ease anxiety and stress in your canine. Some holistic experts also believe that massage in pets strengthens their immune system, helps in digestion, remove all the toxins from the body, and also decrease the blood pressure.

Holistic treatments with chiropractic techniques

Animal chiropractors are expert at handling strains and sprains in the pets. The practitioner works to manipulate the spine and other bones so that the pain and sprain from the joints, muscles, and skeleton is reduced and healed. Veterinarian chiropractic is a gentle process; it is low force and is used to make adjustments to relieve pain and loss of agility without any need for traditional medicines. Chiropractic treatments are gaining momentum, but before you take your pup to anyone, we suggest you to take suggestions from your vet. 

 Whether you are looking for a regular healing treatment for your pet or you are specifically looking for a holistic treatment for dog eat mites, I recommend this site for relevant data: 

#Holistic Treatment for Dog Ear Mites

[reportwire]

Does my dog have ear mites or an ear infection?

Does my dog have ear mites or an ear infection?

Although ear mites can be found in dogs and cats of any age, they are uncommon in adult dogs. Unless your dog has had direct contact with another animal with ear mites, it is unlikely that he has an ear mite infestation. The medication you are using will not be of any benefit if your dog doesn’t have ear mites and it can make the infection worse. Ear infections caused by yeast and/or bacteria are…

View On WordPress

#dog ear infection #ear infection #ear mites

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not putting a bell on my cat?

Cw for discussion of animal death and injury in vague terms.

So I live in a neighborhood with a lot of stray/outdoor cats. In fact, it's sorta that way all over the city. A few weeks ago as of writing this, I picked up a stray because I saw that it had an open wound on its neck; since it was amicable to being handled I decided to take it to the vet to be treated (and neutered, since I'd already gotten hold of it and obviously we don't need more strays.)

Recently, my cat of 15 years (we had him for 15 years, he was about 17-18 though) passed of old age, so I wasn't expecting my family to be willing to take a new cat in so soon. We even still have most of his stuff, so I figured it would be a matter of keeping the stray indoors until it was healed, then letting him go about his business. We all ended up getting attached over his two weeks of recovery though (if anyone is curious, it was a burst absess. While he was there we got him vaccinated and checked for other problems. Aside from ear mites, he was fine) so we got him a microchip, named him, and that was that.

My previous cat was also a rescue, though we picked him up from a shelter. At the time we also had a dog and a dog door, so keeping him inside would have been a logistical struggle we just... didn't care to bother with. By the time the dog passed, he'd had access to the outside for years and we saw no reason to suddenly cut him off from that. We obviously had to keep this new cat completely inside while his staples were in, but the plan was always to open up the dog door once he was healed and let him decide where he wanted to be. I don't like taking care of a litter box, my dad doesn't like the smell of cat, 3/4ths of the house is allergic (though that didn't stop us before), and this cat is much younger than our previous was, and has much more energy (vet estimated him at 6mo-1yr). At the beginning of last week (again, as of writing this) I got the go-ahead from the vet to let him outside and gladly did so. He hasn't gotten the hang of the dog door yet (our previous had the advantage of watching the dog go through to learn how to do it) but will go through open doors/windows and will return to the door or enter through the window if it's still open.

With context out of the way here comes the trouble: our neighbors. Our house is on the corner of the block and to our left is a house that takes tenants every so often. They've been here for as long as I (22m) have been alive and have been a nucance for probably longer than that. Their yard is atrocious, they planted bamboo that grew under the fence and into our property, and the woman who owns the house (presumably. Her husband might but I've never spoken to him) apparently has some moral issue with outdoor cats.

Sometime into owning our previous cat, she suddenly became very concerned with the bird population and insisted that we collar our cat and get him a bell so that he wouldn't catch birds. I'd like to point three things out: 1) our previous cat only had one eye, 2) we had tried to collar him before and he lost every single one so we gave up (breakaway collars so he didn't choke, 3) he caught birds despite both of these facts. Needless to say, I was not fucking thrilled about unsolicited advice from a woman I'd never spoken to, who let her unmitigated mess of invasive plants invade my garden, but whatever. She spoke to my little (10yro) sister about it at the time, only once, and never to me, so it wasn't an issue.

So I let this new cat out, right? I opened the dog door for him and he waltzed right on out, but I wasn't convinced he really knew how to operate it. About an hour or so without hearing him come in, I head through the back door to look for him. I got him from a different neighborhood, across town, while visiting a friend, so I figured I was allowed to be a little worried about him getting lost or overwhelmed. As soon as I step out onto the porch, the neighbor-lady calls over and asks me if my cat got out or I let it out.

I tell her I let him out. She asks me to put a bell on him. In an attempt to remain civil I ask her why. She says something about it being stupid, I ask her why it's stupid, she says cats eat birds and the bird populations are declining. I instantly want to call bull on cats being a leading reason of bird population decline, but I just tell her that I'll have to look that up, and ask her if she saw which way he went. (I'd like my restraint during this interaction noted, thanks.)

Anyway I don't find the cat but I get a good few patrols around the block, and eventually he comes back to the house sometime in the late-night early-morning. He does not use the dog door and waits for me to open the door instead (back door is on the way to the bathroom, I saw his stupid little face pressed against the glass when i went to piss).

I look up bird population decline articles. Most of them mention cats as a factor, along with clear windows. Primary factors are listed as deforestation and invasive species, pesticides, etc. I don't consider getting my cat a collar because I don't appreciate my neighbors input, especially when she's going to be hypocritical and ignore that planting native species may help bird population more than putting out fifty fucking feeders and complaining that the stray cats see her yard as a buffet. Anyway.

I let him out again yesterday, this time through the window in my room, which leads to the back porch. I felt comfortable leaving it open since I work at my desk and would hear if anything not-cat came inside. (Allergies were a problem, but I'd really rather he have a way to get inside if he wanted/needed, and he STILL will not open the dog door on his own. Obviously I'm not helping by continuing to give him alternatives but I am soft-hearted.) Sometime in the evening my dad comes in and tells me that when the cat next comes back, I should keep him inside because "The neighbor lady is being a bitch and I don't want to deal with it." I assume she said something to him, so I agree and when the cat comes in for the night I close the window.

This morning I saw what had ACTUALLY got him.in a twist, because not only did she say something but she printed out and taped a note to our door. Oh, how I would love to send a picture of it here, but I don't know how to embed photos in asks so you'll just have to deal with my transcription:

CAT FACTS

Cats kill birds. Cars kill cats.

Here's some links to look up.

[I won't type the links out. First one is an article titled "how long do outdoor cats live indoor vs outdoor cats" and the second is "faq cats and their effects on birds". I have not read either of these.]

Ask Kelly about Dixie. Ask Jean about Madeline - wait don't - she ran over her with her own car and broke her pelvis because the cat was older and couldn't hear well.

You have a very beautiful young cat. He deserves a safe loving home. Act like you care for your cat or give him to a home that will. I have four indoor cats - three are orange boys. I have a soft spot for orange boy cats. They are very happy as inside cats.

Be responsible.

[Handwritten at the bottom:]

Your cat is sleeping in my backyard. Why are you forcing him to be an outdoor cat!?

[End]

The amount of violent rage this fills me with is unreal. Kelly is our across-the-road neighbor, I assume Jean is another neighbor (I'm bad with names) and I CANNOT imagine that either of them appreciate being. Used like this. Also, I'm very glad her cats are happy indoors but this cat is not, he wants to go outside, he has been crowding the window all morning waiting for me to open it. (I respect me father so I won't, but I disrespect my neighbor so I really, REALLY fucking want to.)

So AITA for disregarding the safety/happiness of my cat and the decline of the bird population by not putting a collar on him and heartlessly forcing him outside? I'm no further inclined to force him indoors or get a collar, especially with her continued insistence, and in fact I'm so far making an active effort to restrain myself from going over and talking to her because I just want to turn it into an argument.

#aita #am i the asshole #pet death cw

[prophet-rebellion]

Jolene's Emergency Vet Visit

Description posted from GoFundMe Campaign:

So for those of you who gave followed me (and maybe seen the update) you'll know Salem has been missing for almost 6 months.

She was my ESA, and given my declining mental health, I didn't have much choice but to get a new ESA.

Enter miss Jolene Macchiato L. Whom I adopted almost two months ago and have whole heartedly decided to keep after realizing just how well we mesh.

You may also know I've been in the hospital the last few days - staying with my roommate who was admitted. I've been coming home to feed the cats and (unsuccessfully) treat them for ear mites. My new roommate was dog sitting and he brought fleas and ear mites into our home.

During this time, Jolene went to the bathroom on my bed multiple times. I at first chalked it up to stress and was told to keep an eye on here. Less than a day of being back from the hospital and her stool is light in color, runny, and most terrifyingly, has blood in it.

This is no longer an issue of stress, but could be a major intestinal/stomach problem when mixed with her inability to wait and use her litterbox. On top of that, she was running around like she was in pain, or something was wrong prior to going.

My second job is not a sure thing yet - it has been more than two weeks since the company reached out to me - and I have been looking for more. The money I thought I won was more a scam to get me down to the car dealership (which by the way, I hated as is because of the older man behaving increasingly grossly and inappropriate towards me).

My funding for Salem has stopped at this point - I have done every physical thing I can to find and bring her home. And now I need to focus on the new feline in my care.

I am taking Jolene to the vet tomorrow and using my new credit card - but there are limited funds and paying it back is my current concern when I have payments taking up to the 1,000s combined due these next two months.

I am setting it to $550 for now (because they take a portion), but the price my change depending on what the vet says and what is wrong.

I know she still need to get treated for ear mites ($300 on it's own) because the current medications I've been using are not working."

This is my fundraiser.

Additional pictures of her adoption papers added on here as well proving when I got her. JOLENE IS A REGISTERED ESA NOW.

Jolene as far as I have been told is two years old, though she is very small for her age. She is a sweet heart though she was likely on the streets for a most of not all her life before she was taken to the shelter and I adopted her a month later.

She is a sweet cat that just wants to check and make sure that you're okay. She'll cuddle. She doesn't meow but she does trill and sound like yoshi.

She just wants to make friends with everyone. And if you're not petting her enough then the grabs your hand and brings it right to her face as she stands on her back legs.

This is the last fundraiser I'm making. Ask anyone I know in real life and they'll tell you just how much I despise asking for help. I want to be able to do things on my own. But until I get one bite from the hundreds (literally) of jobs I've applied to as a secondary then I'm at a loss. I can't afford to wait and save up for this vet Visit - not when her health is on the line.

I can post a picture of her at the vets office tomorrow as well to confirm, along with the update of what they set.

GoFundMe

PayPal

Venmo

Currently $750/$750

UPDATE - 08.02.2023

UNDER THE CUT

We went to the vet today.

TL:DR - she is on medications for the next two weeks, roughly. She did very good at the vet and was very brave. $500 was close, it will come out to be roughly $700 all together after ear mite treatment; we are holding off for now until the other cat in the house can be treated or they will just jump between them, which gives some more time to get there funds. But the over the counter medications are not strong enough to fight the infestation, and depending on severity, it could lead to long term health problems.

So I changed it from $550 -> $750 (again, because they take a processing fee). I also added in there roughly $200 that had been sent from PayPal and Venmo to give a more accurate show off current raised funds.

Below are screenshots of the update explaining more, along with pictures of Jolene at the vet today.

(Straight up, I almost cried because in the right two months that I have had her this was the first time she had crawled into my lap to lay down and cuddle with me.)

#my post #gofundme #cat #emergency #emergency vet visit #sick cat #esa

[starfxkr]

Okay how would the boys react to an OCD girl seeing them do some random ass shit like lay on the grass and says some shit like 'don't do that, you'll get ear bugs' and just walking away and going about her day. -🍓

please do notttt say to rafe "undiagnosed autism & paranoid schizophrenic" cameron he gonna start tweakin real bad I fear. he start twitching and shit like "the fuck why would you say that now I feel like somethings crawlin all over me." he keeps tugging at his ears and scratching n shit he's gonna be pissed off but won't admit hes freakin out.

pope quickly diverts the topic and his nerdy ass is hitting you with "well AKSUALLY" and start talking about why ear bugs are impossible to get and you should be more concerned with mites and shit when that fuckin makes the situation WORSE now you're more geeked than ever

jj gonna start tweakin too actually LOL he gets up fast as hell and starts shaking his whole body like a dog to get rid of the "bugs" and starts complaining about how he can never have fun because you always got some weird shit to say.

john b just says "ill take my chances" because he's stubborn as hell and telling him he can't/shouldnt do something is gonna make him do it even more! and he's not worried about 'ear bugs' or anything because he thinks if its his time to go well so be it its in the lords hands

#✨.txt #jj maybank prompt #rafe cameron prompt #john b prompt #pope heyward prompt #🍓 anon

[onenicebugperday]

@trans-wolf submitted: I wanted to share this microscopic friend! I work as a vet tech and we had a patient today with scabies! They had the classic presentation of crusty ear tips that were very itchy. We took a skin scrape & lo and behold: our friend Sarcoptes scabiei.

The infestation was mild and it's a straightforward treatment so the dog will be fine. You bet I disinfected like crazy too since they're zoonotic (contagious to humans.)

Despite being a parasite though, I think these guys are so neat! Parasites get too much hate imo. I figured you probably didn't get too many microscopic submissions either. Sorry the mite itself isn't too clear with the fur strands in the way.

Sorry to the itchy dog, but you're right, scabies are cool and fascinating and so are all parasites! Here's a little bit clearer look at a scabies mite:

Photo by cassasauresrex

#animals #bugs #arachnids #submission #mite #parasite #scabies mite #scabies

[cushfuddled]

Rabbit abuse videos: what to look out for

The internet is just SO rife with rabbit mistreatment and abuse. Rabbit videos rake up millions of views and everyone gushes over the cutesy lil' bunny doing something quirky and I just lose my mind all over again.

Some recurring bits to watch out for:

"Watch this rabbit take a bath!"

Rabbits should never ever be bathed (except as directed by a vet, given a dangerous health situation). Bathing is extremely stressful for rabbits, and damp fur can lead to ear infections (serious) or hypothermia (deadly). Regular bathing also wipes away the natural oils that would normally keep a rabbit's fur clean.

"My rabbit is only calm when I cradle him like a baby!"

When you hold a rabbit in your arms with the rabbit flipped on its back, you're inducing something called tonic immobility, wherein the rabbit is so stressed it resorts to playing dead. That's not a relaxed rabbit, that's a paralyzed rabbit.

"This rabbit once lived in a tiny cage, but now it has full reign of my ranch!"

Free roaming, wherein rabbits are allowed to "free roam" your entire home, is the ideal living situation for a pet rabbit. Rabbits are generally easy to litter box train (there are some exceptions, the same way some cats are fussy about their litter boxes). Cords can be fenced off, and chewable items can be placed on shelves. In a situation where complete free roaming isn't possible, the House Rabbit Society recommends a rabbit pen size of 8 square feet—though I personally would go for something more like 5x8 ft at the smallest! Rabbits should also get 3+ hours of exercise time a day when they're allowed out of their pen to really run and jump around the house.

You'll note my use of the terms "home" and "house." You can keep your pet rabbit outside, but this introduces risk factors like extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, snow, predators, illness, and poison. You'll need a predator-proof, weather-conscious shelter and access to a large, safe area for your rabbit to get those daily 3+ hours of exercise. You'll also need to provide them with adequate weather support (like heat lamps or frozen water bottles/tiles), and be ready to bring them inside when temps become dangerous (anything below like 25°F or above 80°F). You can usually let a rabbit run around your uncovered yard for a while so long as you're there to supervise, but you can't just dump them in the yard with a hutch and a timothy hay bale and call it a day. That rabbit can now be picked off by predators (neighborhood cats or dogs, coyotes, hawks, snakes, etc.), eat pesticides, litter, or poisonous plants (like ivy, daffodils, buttercups, poppies, rhubarb leaves, etc.), fall prey to mites or parasites, catch RHD from a nearby wild rabbit, die of heat stroke or cold, escape the yard and get lost/hit by a car, or even just get into something sharp or heavy in your yard and hurt themselves. Leaving a rabbit to just wander around a giant property is reckless and cruel. The rabbit does not need to free roam your whole yard to be happy; in fact, the rabbit will be less stressed and (statistically) live much longer in a sheltered environment.

"This rabbit gets along with my predator animal!"

Not all these rabbit-dog or rabbit-cat friendships are dangerous (some cats and dogs and rabbits, under the right conditions, can become friends)—but the nature of social media means content creators are often incentivized to capture cute viral moments at the expense of their animals' safety. Just something to consider with channels that produce lots of "prey and predator animal friendships"-style videos.

#feel free to add #this continues to drive me CRAZY #tw animal abuse #tw animal neglect

[cinemacrypt]

MY BAND JUST PUT OUT OUR FIRST DEMO!

If you're interested in an earful of fast, sloppy, piss-and-vinegar folk punk delivered hot and fresh from the midwest, Yardwaste Demo 1 mite be for you! (Keyword DEMO). It's currently "name your price" on Bandcamp, so toss some cash our way or listen for free! Suggested tracks for peak listening pleasure are 2# (Rainbow Farm), 4# (Dead Man), and 5# (ATF Kills Dogs)

https://yardwastefolkpunk.bandcamp.com/album/demo-1

Love it or hate it, give us a listen!

#when i figure out audio posts its over for u hoes #folk punk #anti folk #folk #punk #new music #new band #amateur musician #mars says stuff #DONT BE A DICK MY HONEY AND MY FRIENDS MADE THIS WITH ME

[catsofcalifornia]

Old Man Jenkins from Sunrise Rescue in Oceanside, California

Click here for more information about adoption and other ways to help!

Click here for a link to Sunrise Rescue's main website.

Very sweet, extremely docile old man kitty! His ear cartilage has been damaged due to prolonged ear mites and ear infection, which we’ve treated. We aren’t sure why, but all but about 6 inches of his tail has been cut off. He’s about 10 years old and we had his teeth cleaned. Because of his ear situation, he is completely deaf in both ears. It’s possible that he may regain some hearing, but for the most part, the world is silent for him.

He does very well with kids of all ages, other cats and polite dogs. If you are looking for a huge, lazy love bug to snuggle, please consider give this absolute gem a loving home for his golden years! :)

#cats #california #oceanside #adoption #adoptnotshop

[iamthekaijuking]

So it's pretty much confirmed that PNF-404 from Pikmin is Earth in the distant future. Any thoughts on what the native creature enemies are descended from? I hc Bulborbs as some kind of derived gastropod that convergently evolved a pair of vertebrate-like legs (since the Bulborb Larva is legless), and the Pikmin themselves as a composite organism between a highly-specialized social insect and a Cordyceps-like plant that, rather than being parasitic is instead mutualistic.

Most of the creatures aren’t too different from their inspiration so it’s pretty easy to tell what they are. The grubs and beetles are grubs and beetles, the clamclamps are clams, the wollywogs are frogs, the mites are mites, etc.

Others are just completely out there and impossible to truly tell what they are. Like the wraiths, mamuta, honeywisps, and the Longlegs and Gatling groink. The last two honestly feel like leftover biotechnology.

Some we’re actually told what they’re descended from or related to, which is also usually believable. So like the Hermit Crawmads being hermit crabs or the skitterleaf being a water strider.

The “Scarpanid” family I’d hesitantly call beetles.

The Goolix is just a giant amoeba, which isn’t too out there considering there are plenty of giant unicellular organisms IRL (algae, seaweed, slime molds getting ready to reproduce, Xenophyophores, etc).

Snagrets are likely very strange birds. They could be descended from any number of burrowing birds or even passerines, which make up 60% of all birds and owe their success partly to a genetic code that is predisposed towards speciation.

Blowhogs I’ve always been unsure of but the tusked blowhog in 4 indicates that they’re possibly pigs. While the tusked blowhog isn’t a true blowhog it could be a primitive close relative that lies just outside of true blowhogs. I think Porquillion could also be related.

Vehemoth seems like a weird aerial salamander.

The meerslug is probably descended from a fish of some kind. One that burrows.

Dweevils I’m not entirely sure on.

There’s so many pikmin enemies that I’d be here all day covering them so I’m just skipping to the Bulborbs.

I’ve mentioned that I love @just9art’s slugborb theory even if it had to handwave that breadbugs are canonically not too closely related to grubdogs. I also just love the artwork and am so sad that their renditions of the grubdogs are not real animals I can hold. However, Bulborbs and breadbugs are so nondescript that people have purposed that they’re possibly terrestrial mud skippers or anglers (specifically ones like handfish) and they all work. Some people think they’re frogs, and @aphid-kirby covered it in a series of YouTube videos. https://m.youtube.com/@fictionalbiology1921/featured

As for pikmin, I do think a lot of the mobile plants form a family, which includes pikmin. But pikmin themselves are very weird (from here on is spoilers for PIKMIN 4).

Pikmin seem to be composite organisms, but apparently they can also force horizontal gene transfer onto other organisms as seen in the bad end for pikmin 1. This is also a main plot point for the fourth game as the main antagonist is actually Olimar being pikminized. All of this means that pikmin might not even be a species in a traditional sense.

Speaking of spoilers for 4, the final boss is a giant dog like Oatchi and is heavily implied to be a feral version of the ancestor of Oatchi’s kind. Meaning that they might actually be earth canines. However, the various spacemen of the games are also said to have had these canine companions for a long time, which could also mean that Olimar and co aren’t actually aliens, but descendants of humans who took dogs with them to space. While they evolved to be tiny (just barely big enough for their inner ears to still work), they selectively bred their dogs to be like jerboas. Humanity has been away from home for so long they don’t even remember it.

#ask #questions #anon #anonymous #pikman #speculative evolution #speculative biology #speculative zoology

[puppyexpressions]

Does Your Dog Have Seasonal Allergies?

Like people, dogs can be allergic to various materials in the air. These materials are called allergens. And for dogs sensitive to these airborne allergens, they can experience signs of allergies.

Humans with seasonal allergies usually have runny eyes, a runny nose or stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, and other upper respiratory symptoms. But most dogs with seasonal allergies have itchy and irritated skin. Since the symptoms show up in dogs' skin, the condition is called atopic dermatitis or atopy. 

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs?

The symptoms of seasonal allergies vary depending on your dog and what they are allergic to. Most dogs will show signs of irritation in their skin, but they can have other symptoms. 

Twelve common symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

Licking their paws

Rubbing their face

Shedding excessively

Biting their coat or skin

Licking their anal glands

Rubbing their butt against the floor or carpet

Chronic ear infections

Red, waxy, smelly, or inflamed ears

Red, inflamed, or infected skin

Sneezing more than usual

Unusually dark or thick elephant-like skin

Discoloration of the itchy skin

The most commonly affected areas of a dog’s body are their:

Paws

Toes

Ears

Underarms

Groin

Muzzle

Dogs with seasonal allergies generally show symptoms between 1 and 3 years of age. If you notice these signs, make an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian. Early detection and treatment are vital to managing canine allergies.

What triggers seasonal allergies in dogs?

Seasonal allergies are triggered by something your dog is sensitive to in their environment. While many substances can trigger allergies in dogs, the most common allergens are:

Tree pollens, such as cedar, ash, and oak

Weed pollens, like ragweed in humans

Grass pollens

Mold spores

Mildew

Dust mites

Shed skin cells, like pet allergies in humans

Unlike humans who breathe in airborne particles, airborne allergens get into the dog’s skin. 

The skin is the first line of defense against foreign substances. If your dog’s skin can’t properly block the allergens, it triggers their immune system.

Once the allergens enter your dog’s body, their overactive immune system becomes inflamed. The inflammation causes itching and scratching, a telltale sign of dog allergies.

When are dogs most likely to get seasonal allergies?

Like humans, dogs experience allergies at different times of the year, depending on what triggers the allergic response. Some dogs have seasonal allergies that flare up once or twice throughout the year. Other dogs have year-round allergies. And like humans, some dogs’ seasonal allergies can develop into a chronic problem, becoming year-round allergies.

Allergies to tree, grass, and weed pollens are usually seasonal. So, you may only notice your dog showing symptoms at certain times of the year. 

If your pup is most affected during the spring and summer, allergies to weed, grass, and tree pollens might be to blame. Try wiping your pup’s coat and feet when you come inside. This will wipe off any pollen and allergens trapped in their fur. 

If your furry friend suffers year-round, molds, mildew, and house dust mites might be the offenders. 

How do you treat seasonal allergies in dogs?

Since most seasonal allergies are environmental, there is no permanent cure. But, there are treatments available to control the symptoms. The best treatment depends on the seasons your dog is affected by allergies, what they are allergic to, and factors such as your dog's age and commitment to the treatment plan.

Treatments for canine seasonal allergies often involve one or more of the following methods.

1. Avoid allergens

The best treatment for seasonal allergies is avoiding allergens when possible. This might not be the perfect solution for your dog though. Pollen and other airborne allergens can travel in the air for miles.

But, there are some things you can do to limit allergen exposure in your home:

Wash your dog’s bedding weekly in hot, soapy water, and dry on a hot dryer cycle to kill dust mites.

Vacuum soft surfaces, such as carpeting and couches, often.

If possible, use hardwood or linoleum flooring and washable area rugs.

Vacuum floors and carpets weekly.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency air (HEPA) filter.

If possible, use air conditioning rather than open windows during pollen season.

Give your dog hard, washable chew toys rather than plush toys.

If plush toys are a favorite, wash them weekly in hot, soapy water.

Use air conditioners on recirculation mode to cut down on humidity.

Use dehumidifiers to prevent mold in bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp spots.

2. Antihistamine treatment

Antihistamine medications block allergy symptoms. Examples of antihistamines used to treat seasonal dog allergies include:

Clemastine (Tavist)

Trimeprazine (Temaril-P, Vanectyl-P) 

Astemizole (Hismanal)

These medications are widely used, but they are not as effective as other treatments in providing short- or long-term relief. Though, they may offer some relief when used with other therapies.

3. Anti-inflammatory steroids

Treatment with steroid medications can effectively block the allergic reaction and stop the itch. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications like:

Prednisone

Prednisolone

Dexamethasone

There can be negative side effects associated with steroids. Side effects may be more likely with higher doses or long-term use of these medications.

Some side effects include:

Extreme hunger

Extreme thirst

Weakening of the immune system

Rise in blood sugar

Infections, particularly upper respiratory tract and urinary tract infections

The goal is to use other treatments with steroids to lessen or eliminate the need for steroid medications.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can improve the response to steroids in some dogs. In some cases, omega-3 supplements can stop the skin from producing inflammatory chemicals. Supplementing with omega-3s can lower the steroid dose needed to control symptoms.

4. Shampoo therapy

Bathing your dog with a hypoallergenic shampoo can soothe inflamed skin. Bathing and wiping down their coat and skin often also washes out any allergens your dog may pick up. 

Ask your vet for recommendations on which shampoo to buy. Some are available over the counter (OTC) while others require a prescription from your veterinarian. Your vet can also tell you how often to bathe your dog. The recommendations may vary by breed and skin type.

5. Allergy shots 

Allergy Shots — or allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) — can be very effective for dogs with environmental allergies. Allergy shots focus on retraining your dog's immune system. 

This treatment is a good choice for dogs who have not responded well to other therapies. And it tends to work better in younger dogs.

Before beginning this treatment, your dog must be allergy tested by a veterinary dermatologist to find which allergens cause the reaction. Your vet then creates a custom allergy shot for your dog. You or your vet inject your dog with gradually higher doses until you reach a maintenance dose.

Treatment with allergy shots requires a long-term commitment from the owner. Additionally, allergy shots are not a quick fix. Most dogs and pet parents don’t see improvement for 6 months to 1 year.

Is it safe to give a dog Benadryl?

Although Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is not FDA-approved for animal use, it is generally safe to give a dog Benadryl. But, before reaching into your medicine cabinet, talk to your veterinarian about appropriate dosage and possible interactions. 

The dosing between humans and animals is very different. Giving your dog too much Benadryl can hurt them, as with many human medications. And there are certain side effects you should watch for.

Common Benadryl side effects that dogs can experience include:

Drowsiness

Dry mouth

Trouble urinating

Salivating more than usual

Fast heart rate

Rapid breathing

If your dog takes any other medication or has another health condition, Benadryl might not be recommended. Make sure to ask your vet first.

When should you see a vet about dog allergy symptoms?

Generally, you should see your vet if your dog shows any signs of allergies, including:

Appearing itchy

Getting repeated ear infections. 

Having inflamed, red, or irritated skin 

Environmental allergies don’t go away on their own and tend to worsen the longer they are left untreated. The earlier you begin a treatment program, the more likely it is to be successful.

The bottom line

No pet parent likes watching their canine companion suffer. But seasonal allergies don’t just get under our skin. They can get under our dogs’ skin, too! And like humans, dogs can react to seasonal allergens, like plant pollens, molds, mildew, and dust mites.

These allergens enter the dog’s body through the skin. So, while humans have more upper respiratory allergy symptoms, our dogs have more skin inflammation, itching, and scratching.

While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, many treatments are available. And the sooner the problem is addressed, the better the chance of controlling the symptoms. If you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies, make an appointment with your vet so you can discuss available treatment options.

#dog allergies #summer dog allergies #spring dog allergies #dog health

[fountainpenguin]

"Is she bright, so well read? Are there novels by her bed? Is she the sort that you've always said could satisfy your head...?"

---

New Factor It In chapter today!

Chapter 4 - “Theoretical Probability”

Read on FFN || Read on AO3

---

WordGirl's not the only one who's concerned about having Kid Math around the city, and the villains aren't afraid to let her know it. You know, he sort of reminds them of another insensitive "hero" they dealt with not too long ago. While WordGirl struggles to assuage their concerns, Tobey speculates on her secret identity... though some theories are more probable than others.

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

---

Theoretical Probability

.:: January 3rd - Saturday - 4:10 pm ::.

"Take time to predict resulting actions. Then take control."

(Ancient Hexagon proverb)

➕ ➖ ✖️ ➗

Psst! Look for the words insensitive and replacement

---

3.46 miles due southeast of the jail, the crooked wheel of a shopping cart rattles and squeals. Ew. It croaks a final plea and finally grinds to a halt all together. The poor shopper behind it tries to force it the last few steps to her van, but the cart bucks against her wishes. A warbled wail echoes over the parking lot, pleading for help. Her toddler bursts into tears. Hm.

Rex lets his super-hearing blur out of focus. A stuck shopping cart? That's hardly his problem. The lady will fix it before he gets anywhere near her. He leans all his weight on the two jail cell bars in his hands, calculating the exact amount of energy he'd need to exert if he chose to bend them, flick Seymour Orlando Smooth on the nose, and pull everything back together before Warden Chalmers finished speaking with Becky further down the row. With WordGirl. WordGirl… Not Becky.

Seymour is still gabbing. Rex tries to listen - he really does - but the invisible cellmate behind him is incredibly distracting. Watching water slosh over unseen hands is something Rex never really thought he'd do. He tightens his grip around the bars. Seymour stands a few inches from his face, fumbling with his fingers as he yaks on and on. Frankly, his vocabulary is lost on Rex's ears.

3.1 miles west, two children on a playground argue over the swings. A ragged little dog barks, chasing a stick that wasn't thrown- or if it was, it was thrown in silence. Its paws kick up a splash of dry dirt. It sprinkles across the sidewalk in a light patter, patter. One little heartbeat is racing especially fast. Is it the puppy's? Impossible to say.

The dog's having a nice time, though. Squirrels bounce through the tree branches in the park, lightweight as they free themselves a mite early from winter hibernation. Or doom themselves to months of suffering. Who knows. Two joggers pant near the site of the new barber shop. Hungry rats scuffle in the sewer. A cat mews in hunger, claws scratching against a door.

A bit farther west, Theodore 3 paces around his bedroom. The shuffled pacing always turned out to be Theodore 3's big feet. He lives with his mother, Claire McCallister, and her home lies halfway between Ms. Question's lair and the Big Left Loft.

Not that it matters, really. After a quick search for buzzwords on the wind, Rex picks up no scheming whispers from either one of them. They're silent. At least, unless they've hidden among the ranks of two dozen homeowners clicking dishes in their sinks.

In the south, the Whammer baps a tired hand repeatedly against either the arm of his chair or a punching bag; Rex can't be sure and doesn't really care, but the reverberation of the sound matches his exact calculations of texture, strength, and size, so the Whammer it must be.

And speaking of sinks… Rex presses a little closer to the bars, legs lifting behind him. Sooner or later, Invisi-Bill has to finish with his hands. And then he'll reappear.

"Come on… Come on…"

Wait. What's that? 2.2 miles away, Violet Heaslip pulls open the lightweight front door to her adorable-as-a-fractal wooden house. She greets the person who knocked instead of ringing the bell, and he says her name in a chipper, gushy way. Gentle windchimes tinkle in the breeze. Her cat lets out a purr. Judging by the newcomer's rapid-fire, cheerful voice, Violet's saying hi to Becky's reporter friend. Rex has yet to pin a name to his face (Wide hat, black hair… He's picking this up, slowly but surely, like an exponential function).

1.7 miles in the opposite direction, the grocery store manager starts to hum along to the music in his store. That prickles Rex's attention, unavoidably. For better or worse. White, bouncing shapes of all kinds began to dance across his vision, reacting to the synesthesia he'd gained alongside the rest of his superpowers after leaving the minerals of his home planet behind. Even when he blinks, the shapes crowd behind his eyelids. They look like sugar on black cloth. Crystal arrangements. Molecule formations.

0.4 miles north. A familiar, drawn-out mumble for help drifts from a side street as the voice's owner makes a small trip to fill up on gas. His wife murmurs encouraging words. The car wheel hits a sharp stone. It flies sideways and bounces off a brick wall. The noise clicks once, but the second click that represents the stone landing simply vanishes in the grocery store manager's song.

0.0 miles away. Here they are tonight in the Fair City jail, soft and routine. You know, Rex has to hand it to the warden- he actually kept to his goal of running a neat, organized ship all week long. Looks like he won't be eating his hat after all.

(Well, he might choose to anyway.)

Each of the 6 inmates he can see have been pinned in their cell behind solid iron bars. Each bar is exactly 3 inches in diameter and spaced 5 inches apart. And all the jail's current residents have been organized in pairs, precisely two to a cell… with the lone exception of the Butcher, who pouts in his titanium-tofu prison in the neighboring room. 3 x 2 = 6. Not many villains had wanted to commit crimes so near the holidays. Who knew?

Seymour finally nails the shape he'd been trying to create with his fingers. He holds up his thumbs and forefingers so they make a rectangle. Rex purses his lips. He gives Seymour a few more seconds to wrap up his cheery, zing-y little elevator pitch (That's what WordGirl calls his ramblings) and taps a finger to his cheek.

"So… it's likely each of my guardians has a card with numbers on it?"

"Numbers on the front and the back," Seymour assures him. "And you can share those numbers with me in exchange for a grand prize beyond your wildest dreams!"

"Well, it is hard to say no to a personalized string of numbers…"

"Don't do it!" WordGirl's voice echoes across the jail. Rex glances over, but she's still busy with the warden. He stays where he is, floating in front of Seymour's cell. Seymour rolls his eyes, drifting away towards his bunk.

"WordGirl's right," says the Narrator. "Sharing your foster parents' credit card number can land you in major trouble. I advise against it."

"Hm. Okay."

[Cnt'd on FFN / AO3 - Links at top]

#WordGirl #Kid Math #Tobey McCallister #Factor It In #Chuck the Evil Sandwich Making Guy #ridwriting #Grammar queen #Arithmetic Lad #LexiHexa duo #Bot building boy #Doctor 2B #Chucky Breadhead #Space monkey #apparently art #fic announcement

[deancaskiss]

today was an awesome day at work! one of the doctors brought his personal tortoise into the clinic today because the tortoise was having hindleg ataxia and hasn’t been acting like herself recently. they took xrays and it was really exciting because I have such an interest in working with exotic animals! here are the xrays and a cute pic I took of her today! the doctor sent the xrays to a radiologist for review and he told me he’ll tell me what the radiologist says when he gets the report back because I’m super excited to learn more about tortoises!

I also got to work side by side with the newest doctor at the practice and we got to diagnose our first ever case of sarcoptic mange mites which was so freaking cool (and creepy) at the same time doing a skin scrape of the dogs ear and actually seeing live mites under the microscope! I enjoyed every second of it because I actually knew what the diagnose was and got to help the doctor and it was so fascinating! I will include a picture of the microscope image of the mites under the cut for anyone who’s curious to see!

sarcoptes scabiei mites from a skin scrape on a dog!

#baz’s babbling