Problem: Article: An adult tapeworm has a small head that is connected to a chain of proglottids. Proglottids are about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long. Each proglottid has its own set of reproductive organs, and, when fully mature, will break off and exit your cat's body in her feces. Once in the environment, proglottids will move around by increasing and decreasing in length. Proglottids are pale in color and look like cucumber seeds or tiny, cooked grains of rice. An adult tapeworm can be anywhere from 4 to 28 inches (10.2 to 71.1cm) long, so your cat may pass a lot of proglottids through her feces. Look for proglottids in the areas where your cat frequents, such as cat trees, furniture, and her bedding. Since proglottids are light in color and very small, you may want to use a magnifying glass to look for them. After being in the environment for a while, proglottids become hard, yellow, and even smaller (around 2mm). Finding proglottids in the environment is the best way to diagnose tapeworms. If you see them, ask your veterinarian about the proper way to dispose of them. The proglottids may become stuck to the fur under your cat's tail and around her anus, so check those areas of her body. In addition, examine her feces in the litter box to look for proglottids. Keep in mind that you may not see proglottids in each section of fecal materialthey are not distributed evenly in the feces. Tapeworms usually do not make cats sick, so your cat may not show signs of a tapeworm infection. However, if the proglottids get stuck to the fur near her anus, she may start scooting along the floor to soothe the irritation. If the proglottids migrate up to your cat's stomach, she may vomit. You would see the proglottids in the vomit. The irritation may also cause your cat to start biting or licking at her anal area.
Summary: Identify proglottids. Check the area where your cat spends most of her time. Examine your cat's rear end and feces. Observe your cat for clinical signs of tapeworms.

Problem: Article: It's important to keep your STP device clean, and rinse it off after every use. If you don't, you will be carrying around an unpleasant smell that can transfer to your clothes. The plastic homemade STP devices are simple to quickly rinse off. The plastic means that the any urine will bead up on the surface and be washed off easily. You can rinse it with a little soap when you are washing your hands. When you are carrying the STP device around with you, it's best to try and keep it in a small zip-lock bag. This way any unpleasant aromas or drips will be contained in the bag. If you get a small zip-lock bag, such as a freezer or sandwich bag, you will still be able to keep the STP device in your back pocket. You can also use alcohol wipes or hand sanitizer to disinfect the device after each use. You need to take extra steps to ensure that your STP device is kept clean and you limit the risk of infection. Every night you should soak it in a solution that will thoroughly clean it, ready for the next day. Get a bowl and mix up half a cup of 2% or 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a teaspoon of antibacterial soap, in three cups of hot water. Place your device into the solution and leave it to soak for a few hours. Take it out and rinse it thoroughly. Put it on the side and let it air dry.
Summary: Rinse it after each use. Store it in a zip-lock bag. Soak it in a disinfectant solution.

Problem: Article: If your ears pop on a plane or while diving, the problem will usually right itself when you're back on land. Even if the pressure doesn't equalize right away, after an hour or two your ears should feel normal again. In the meantime, yawning and swallowing can help you feel better faster. Some people take a few days for pressure to equalize in their ears, during which time hearing can be muffled, although this is rather rare. Get medical attention if the discomfort is severe, or if it persists for more than a day. Severe barotrauma is rare, but can cause permanent ear damage and bring about hearing loss. In very severe cases, barotrauma can cause the inner ear to rupture. This injury usually heals on its own, but you should see a doctor just in case there's another problem complicating the injury. If you experience any of the following symptoms that might indicate your inner ear has ruptured, get medical attention immediately: Discomfort or pain that persists for several hours Severe pain Bleeding from the ears Hearing loss that doesn't go away In rare cases, surgery is required to restore equilibrium inside the ear. An incision is made in the eardrum to allow pressure and fluid to drain. If you experience severe pain that doesn't go away, see a doctor to determine whether surgery may be necessary. In the meantime, do not fly, dive, or perform any other activity that requires you to gain or lose significant altitude. If your ears pop again further injury could occur.
Summary:
Wait for equilibrium to be restored. Look out for severe symptoms. Get treatment if the barotrauma persists.