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"How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?"

"What is your recommendation on finding a knowledgeable veterinarian?"

"How can I keep my puppy from eating feces"

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"How can I tell if my cat is pregnant?"

If your cat shows the following signs of pregnancy, schedule a prenatal checkup with your veterinarian.

• Morning Sickness: Nausea and morning sickness may occur a few days during mid-pregnancy
• Enlarged Nipples: As a pregnant cat's nipples fill with milk, they will become enlarged, soft and pink. You will be able to notice this by the second or third week
• Increased Appetite: Pregnant animals typically eat 1½ times the amount they would normally eat because their nutritional requirements increase during pregnancy
• Weight Gain: Significant weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, occurs towards the sixth week of pregnancy
• Mood Change: Pregnant cats are normally quieter and more loving during pregnancy

Your vet can confirm the pregnancy with a physical examination. If confirmed, you need to work with your vet to set up a timeline for future check-ups as necessary.

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"What is your recommendation on finding a knowledgeable veterinarian?"

Choosing the right veterinarian should take the same time and consideration as finding the right physician for you. A good place to start is to ask friends, neighbors, family, and animal shelters for recommendations. Once you have some recommendations schedule a visit to meet with the veterinarian to make sure he or she is the right one for you and your pet. Here are some things to keep in mind and areas to investigate during your first visit:

• Tour the animal care wards and kennel areas, which should be clean, odor-free, warm and dry
• Observe how the veterinarian and staff interact with pets
• Evaluate how doctors and staff respond to your questions

Inquire About:

• Office hours and emergency care options
• Fees and payment options
• Range of services
• Professional staff
  • How routine calls are handled
  • If practice has multiple doctors can you request a specific doctor?

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"How can I keep my puppy from eating feces?"

Although this particular behavior, called coprophagia, tends to disappear as puppies mature, no one knows for sure what motivates it. Potential solutions to change the behavior and reduce the risk of parasites include:

• Immediate clean up of dog feces.
• Have your veterinarian examine the dog to rule out any health problems.
• Let dogs know the behavior is unacceptable by firmly saying "NO".
• Pour hot sauce, vinegar or cayenne pepper directly on the feces to discourage dogs from eating it.
• Try adding Forbid™ to the puppy’s food, which should eventually impart an objectionable taste to the feces.

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Medical Information Disclaimer - The information provided via the Ask a Vet is provided for illustration purposes only. Every medical case presents its own unique characteristics, and a licensed veterinarian should be consulted regarding the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of any animal. The information provided by Bayer Animal Health in this Web site is not a substitute for medical attention provided by a licensed veterinarian. We encourage all pet owners to develop and maintain an active relationship with a veterinarian in their community. The information provided in Ask a Vet is intended to give the visitor only a general understanding of the needs of their animal companions.