Problem: Article: Digestive problems in rabbits can be life threatening. As soon as you suspect a digestive problem in your rabbit, take him to your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will first perform a physical exam of your rabbit. They will then conduct diagnostic tests, depending on what they suspect is causing the digestive problem. If your rabbit has diarrhea, your veterinarian will test the feces to identify the specific organism (e.g., Clostridium). Your veterinarian will take x-rays and/or perform an abdominal ultrasound if they suspect GI stasis or GI obstruction. A GI obstruction can be a life-threatening situation requiring emergency treatment. Being able to visualize your rabbit's belly will help your veterinarian diagnose and treat your rabbit effectively. Treating digestive problems in rabbits typically involves several general treatment strategies, including rehydration, restoring gut movement, and pain control. These treatments are best performed by a veterinarian, at least until the rabbit is well enough for at-home care. Treatment options will vary slightly, depending on the specific digestive problem. Dehydration can cause digestive problems in rabbits, and be a symptom of these problems. To rehydrate your rabbit, your veterinarian will give him fluids. How your veterinarian administers the fluids (e.g., by mouth, under the skin, directly into a vein) will depend on several factors, such as your rabbit's ability to drink on his own and the severity of the dehydration. Rehydrating your rabbit will put more fluid in his digestive system, which will soften digestive contents and allow them to pass through the system more easily. If your rabbit's digestive system isn't moving food through very quickly, or at all, it will need some help getting back to normal. In addition to fluid therapy, your veterinarian may administer medications called prokinetics to encourage the gut to get moving again. Prokinetics are helpful in treating GI stasis, as well as diarrhea caused by overuse of antibiotics. If your rabbit has an obstruction, he should not receive a prokinetic. Prokinetics may take several weeks to restore your rabbit's normal gut motility. Gas buildup (due to GI obstruction or GI stasis) and diarrhea can be very painful for your rabbit. If the pain is severe, your veterinarian will administer pain medication to get the pain under control as quickly as possible. When your rabbit is well enough to go home, your veterinarian may prescribe a pain medication for at-home care. A bad diet (low in indigestible fiber, high in sugar and carbohydrates) is a common cause of digestive problems in rabbits. Your veterinarian will first see if your rabbit can eat a healthy diet on his own. If he cannot, or will not, your veterinarian may try feeding him a high-fiber gruel, such as Oxbow Critical Care, through a syringe.
Summary: Take your rabbit to your veterinarian. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Correct your rabbit's dehydration. Use medication to stimulate gut movement. Relieve your rabbit's abdominal pain. Encourage your rabbit to eat.

Problem: Article: You should cut the stems at an angle while submerged in either a basin of water or running water. Exposing the cut end of your flower to open air can be damaging, especially since this is one of the points when flower tissue is most hungry for water. Additionally, you should try to cut your flowers in the early morning or late evening, as these are the best times to cut flowers. If you notice that your flowers, when cut, exude a milky liquid, you can prolong the life of these with a quick boil in water. Soak the bottom two inches of your cut stems in boiling water for ten seconds before putting into a vase. Two common flowers that can benefit from boiling are poinsettias and poppies. If your flowers have leaves all the way down the stem, these can rot in your water and cause mold to grow. Remove all leaves on your stems that will be below the waterline. You can determine whether your water is hard or not by noting mineral deposits on facets and kettles. These will often look like a white, scaly film when dry. If this is the case at your home, your plants will fare better with demineralized water, to which you can add vase preservative. Demineralized water is sold at most supermarkets and should be used in your vase solutions as well if you have hard water. Your homemade plant preservative will likely work even more effectively than commercial recipes, but these are an easy to use and inexpensive substitute if you lack the ingredients for the DIY recipe. Many times, a commercial preservative requires only a clean vase and warm water, though you should always follow the directions on the packet.
Summary: Cut your flowers under water. Boil the stems of flowers with sap. Prune leaves below the water line. Use demineralized water if you have hard water. Add a commercial vase preservative to your water.

Problem: Article: Even meaningless items may have sentimental value to a hoarder. Respect your parent's freedom to do whatever they like with their stuff, whether or not you agree, and don't throw anything out until they give you permission. Even if you live with your parents, you should still respect their possessions. Have them sit down with you and create a list of things you can start getting rid of. Making a contract with your parent can also be helpful. For example, you may promise that they can keep 1 item out of every 10 items. This may help them to be more conscientious about the value of their belongings. Sometimes it may even be helpful for the parent to go away for a few days while the house is being cleaned. Offer to send them on a short vacation or to put them up in a hotel for a few days if you are able. Don't try to tackle a hoarder's house alone. Get other family members or friends to help you, if possible. If you live in the home, reach out to adult family members and encourage them to talk to your parents. You might say, "Aunt Pam, I'm really worried about Mom and Dad's hoarding. There's hardly any room to move around in our house. Can you talk to them and maybe help us clear out some of the clutter?" A professional cleaning service is another option, although these can be expensive. Costs will vary based on where you live, how much space you need cleaned (i.e. square footage) and the severity of the clutter. You will probably have to throw out more stuff than you expect. Arrange to have a dumpster dropped off as close to the house as possible. When your parent gives you permission to throw something out, take it to the dumpster right away so they can't change their mind. Keep in mind that electronics and hazardous materials usually can't go in dumpsters. Renting a dumpster can range from about $100 to $800, depending on how large a container you need and how long you need it. If you can't afford to hire a dumpster service, ask friends and family if they have trucks or trailers to help you haul items to a nearby dump or recycling plant. Before you start cleaning, make a plan. Work on clearing one area before you move on to another. You'll be able to see your progress more easily that way. It might be best to start in areas with the least clutter and then build up to more congested areas. Divide items into three categories things to keep, things to donate, and things to throw away. Take trash to the dumpster immediately. Have bins or bags ready for items to be donated. Don't let your parent deliberate too long over what to do with things, or they might change their mind about getting rid of them. You might give a time limit of about five minutes for them to deliberate on an item. Thinking on it too long will only allow them to come up with more reasons to keep things. Short cleaning sessions won't make much of a dent in your parent's clutter. Plan to clean all day, or at least for several hours, so you'll actually make some progress. Your parent will probably clutter their living area again when you leave, so short cleaning sessions may not do any good in the long run.
Summary:
Get your parent's permission before you get rid of anything. Enlist other family members' help. Use a dumpster service. Tackle one room at a time. Sort items as you go. Get as much done in one session as you can.