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It’s finally pumpkin time again! In bright colors, it really spices up the dreary autumn – and on the kitchen table. The vegetables can also be used in many ways and taste good as a soup, baked from the oven, or as a delicious side dish. But do you prefer organic or conventional goods?

The pumpkin cultivation

Before you can buy the pumpkin, it must of course be grown. It is considered to be one of the less susceptible field vegetables, and yet organic cultivation differs from conventional cultivation in some cultural details, such as the manual collection of pests and a mulch layer on the field. In addition, the organic farmer must meet other legal requirements such as certification. The Hokkaido pumpkins “Uchiki Kuri”, “Red Kuri”, the butternut pumpkins “Early Butternut”, “Butternut Waltham” and the nutmeg pumpkin “Muscat de Provence'” as well as the Halloween pumpkins “Jack O’Lantern'”, “Musquee de Provence” and “Jack Be Little”.

The knock test

Before you buy the pumpkin, you should do a tapping test: simply tap the pumpkin lightly with your knuckles. If it makes a hollow sound, it has reached the optimal stage of ripeness. The skin of the pumpkin should also look plump and flawless. It is also important for longer storage that the handle base is still intact.

Organic vs. conventional

The Hokkaido pumpkin in particular is often prepared and eaten with the skin on. It is, therefore, best to wash it thoroughly under warm water and rub off the skin properly. However, if you want to be absolutely sure that no pesticides are contained, you should buy organic pumpkins. The nutrients are the same in both the organic and conventional versions.

That’s why pumpkin is healthy!

It is thanks to the beta-carotene that some types of pumpkin glow so beautifully orange. This is converted to vitamin A in the body and is important for vision and beautiful skin and hair. Folic acid, magnesium, and iron are also contained in the pumpkin.

health

Pedaling Fast or Slow – Which is Better When Cycling?

Among cyclists, there is both the fast and the slow pedal camp. Both are of course convinced that their driving style is better. But which variant is really more economical and healthier?

In cycling, for a long time it was the duel between Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong: while Ullrich pedaled more “thump”, Lance Armstrong pedaled at a faster rate and sometimes eluded Ullrich with a quick start on the mountain stages of the Tour de France.

But how is it on a comfortable city bike or Dutch bike: is fast pedaling the trump card here? Because pedaling more slowly and therefore in a higher gear definitely looks more casual than kicking.

Achim Schmidt from the German Sport University in Cologne advocates a high pedaling frequency. “When cycling, it’s important to pedal continuously instead of letting yourself roll all the time,” said Schmidt in an interview with the Hamburger Morgenpost. A high cadence in an easier gear not only has a better training effect but also protects the joints.

Professional cyclists often cycle at a high cadence of up to 100 revolutions per minute, while untrained cyclists often only do 50 revolutions. However, this not only impedes the optimal blood flow in the leg but also puts more strain on tendons and joints than necessary. Even amateur cyclists should pedal at a frequency of at least 70 revolutions per minute. The cardiovascular system is also positively influenced by the high pedaling frequency.

The easiest way to measure the cadence is with a bike computer that has a crank sensor.

Adjust the bike correctly

In order to achieve a higher cadence, the saddle must not be set too high. First, having to stretch your legs too much isn’t comfortable, and second, over-stretching puts stress on your muscles and joints.

You can easily determine the correct saddle height: Sit on your bike and place your heel on the lower vertical pedal crank. The saddle is at the right height when the heel with the leg pushed through is just touching the pedal.

Cycling makes you fit and happy

Regardless of whether you want to adapt your riding style or continue to be one of the slow movers: Cycling is good for your body and your mind. Just cycling a quarter of an hour to work is enough to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Even now, when the days are getting shorter, try to cycle as much as possible: because the daylight that your body absorbs while cycling is good for the psyche and can help to escape the winter blues.

Food

Mold Spots: When Should You Throw Away Food?

Moldy spots on food not only look unappetizing, but they can also be dangerous: the toxins they contain can damage the liver and kidneys and even be carcinogenic. However, mold does not mean that you have to throw away every food item. For some, it is sufficient to generously remove the spoiled area. EAT SMARTER presents the most important foods.

Jam

The fruity spread sweetens the morning on bread or waffles. Even mold on the jam can’t spoil a good start to the day – if the ratio of fruit and sugar is 50:50. Only then can the mold be generously removed and the spread continued to be eaten without hesitation.

The situation is different with jams, which contain more fruit than sugar: These are no longer edible, even after generous removal of the mold, as the mold spores may have spread throughout the entire product – even if they are not visible to the naked eye. In this case, the food should be thrown away.

Bread

“Until now, we have advised to cut out the mold over a large area from a whole loaf, as an infestation with mycotoxins outside the visible area on bread has not yet been detected,” explains certified ecotrophologist Antje Gahl from the DGE. In case of doubt, however, it is better to throw away the moldy bread than to remove it. In the case of individual slices of bread that contain mold, this applies anyway and they must be disposed of immediately.

Cheese

Sliced cheese is a food that should be discarded if it has mold on it. If, on the other hand, a whole piece of cheese is infected, the corresponding area can be generously removed and the cheese can then be eaten anyway.

Fruit Vegetable

If moldy spots are discovered on fruit or vegetables, these foods are unfortunately only for the bin. Due to their high water content, the mold spores spread particularly well and quickly, which is why spoiled fruit and vegetables should never be eaten or processed.

With potatoes, it should also be noted that the green spots that appear must be cut out generously in any case. They contain the natural toxin solanine. This can lead to health problems such as headaches, diarrhea, or vomiting. For this reason, the already boiled potato cooking water should also be discarded and not processed further.

Lifestyle

Clearly Regulated: When Are You Allowed to Honk Your Horn on The Road – and When Not?

You can quickly become annoyed in traffic. But honking is not allowed in every situation. If you press the horn too quickly, you may be committing an offence.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a horn or headlight flasher: They are only allowed on these occasions

Flashing the headlights without a good reason always costs 10 euros – whether with or without annoyance. However, if you only behave prudently and only want to warn other road users of a dangerous situation, you don’t have to answer for it either. However, one should not try to educate others with these means. Because this is definitely not allowed.

The situation is different with the sound signals that electric cars emit. Up to a speed of up to 20 km/h or when reversing, these warnings are even expressly permitted by law to avoid danger.

However, anyone who installs a different horn in their vehicle than the one provided by the vehicle manufacturer should bear in mind that multi-tone horns and horns that are too loud are not permitted. When measured at a distance of 7 m, their volume must under no circumstances exceed the limit of 105 dB(A).

Lifestyle

Rules When Driving: These 7 Rules Do Not Apply at All

The rules of driving are complex, but not all “rules” really apply. Seven folk myths are debunked below.

Which 7 “rules” do not apply at all?

1. Riding with flip-flops is prohibited
Driving with flip flops is not prohibited. Bussgeldkatalog.org writes that the legislature does not stipulate which shoes must be worn to drive a car. There is no penalty for a traffic stop.

2. You are not allowed to put on make-up while driving
Many will certainly have refreshed some powder at the wheel or put on their lipstick. You don’t have to feel guilty about this either, because a quick touch-up of make-up is fine when driving, as long as there is no danger to other road users.

3. Overtaking on the right is prohibited
The myth that overtaking is not allowed on the right persists, but it is not true. In heavy traffic on the autobahn, you can overtake on the right. Overtaking on the right-hand side is also permitted in built-up areas if there are several lanes for each direction and the lanes are not marked differently.

4. Winter tires must be fitted from October to Easter
Many people believe it is a duty to drive with winter tires from top to bottom. But this regulation only applies to certain situations, not to the season itself. On a dry and sunny day in December you can also drive with summer tires. It is still questionable whether this makes sense – in the event of an accident, this can lead to considerable problems for you.

5. Whoever rears up is to blame
This myth is not true either, because those driving ahead can also be fully or at least partly to blame. This applies in particular if the rear-end collision was provoked by the vehicle ahead, for example by unnecessarily sharp braking.

6. Flashing your headlights on the highway is illegal
The headlight flasher may be used on the Autobahn if someone is driving too slowly in the left lane. If this does not happen continuously, it can be used to signal that you want to overtake.

7. The police must be called after an accident
In the case of minor accidents, it is often not necessary to call the police. It is important to send an accident report to the insurance company, including photos of the accident site and damage. Then you have to clear the street.

dealing with the rules

All seven points are myths that are not true. However, you should always drive with foresight and restraint, which is why the statements should be qualified. In the event of an accident, partial guilt can be proven if wearing flip-flops led to the accident. The same applies to overtaking on the right-hand side: it is possible, but only if the speed is similar on both lanes.

Even if not all rules are legally written, you should still not take it to extremes, because many of them make sense.

Lifestyle

Driving When There is a Storm Warning? Drivers Should Be Aware of This

Driving in a storm requires maximum attention, especially when driving. What dangers can you encounter?

Tips for drivers

If you are out and about in a storm, you should be particularly careful. It is important that you have both hands on the steering wheel so that you can react quickly and safely. However, you should avoid strong steering movements against the wind, because if the airflow stops quickly, you could end up in the oncoming lane, for example. Pay attention to where the wind is coming from. You can see this, for example, in the sloping trees or in the air sacs on bridges.

Drive slower than usual during a storm; the faster you go, the more you can lose control of your vehicle in strong winds. You can also increase safety by increasing the distance between vehicles, for example in the event of unexpected sudden braking due to an obstacle.

Also, be aware of where you are riding and whether your surroundings are about to change; for example on bridges or when you drive out of a tunnel, the wind will (again) push harder against your car. The following applies: Additional items such as roof boxes, bicycles or trailers offer the wind more surface to attack. For this reason you should not necessarily overtake buses and trucks; as soon as you drive out of their slipstream, you can be hit by strong gusts.

You should not underestimate unexpected obstacles and the reactions of other drivers that come with them: Sudden (heavy) rain and debris can appear suddenly. Falling bricks and branches or falling trees pose a great risk of property damage and personal injury. You should therefore avoid routes with many trees, bridges and underpasses if possible.

Tip: If the danger on the road becomes too great, you can visit a rest area. Here, too, you should pay attention to safety and choose a parking space where you are not endangered by falling branches, for example.

Insurance – What to do if something happens?

It is important to avoid unnecessary trips during a storm and not to allow damage to occur in the first place. If this is unavoidable or if the parked car is damaged, a look at the insurance documents will help. In general, insurance companies take over damage from a wind force of 8. Which insurance pays in the event of damage depends on the circumstances of the damage: Residential building, natural hazards, liability, comprehensive or household contents insurance. Then it depends on whether you have partial or fully comprehensive insurance. If possible, you should record the damage, for example via a (mobile) photo. It is also important to prevent further damage, for example by masking a broken window.

Lifestyle

Secret Codes at Ikea: When They Are Used – and What They Mean

Secret codes are not only used by the police – also at Ikea. Codes are often used for announcements, which customers cannot do much with. But what do they actually mean?

These secret codes are very common at IKEA – what do they mean?

In most cases, the meaning of the codes is only temporary: In order to guarantee the security of the codes, it can be assumed that IKEA will periodically renew some of the codes. Nevertheless, the meaning of some codes that appear particularly frequently can be interesting.

With some of the codes you can be pretty sure of the meaning. This includes, for example, the code 89. This is not only used at IKEA, but also in many other department stores: The code expresses that the store is busy and more staff is needed.

Code 88 is about a basic cleaning, maintenance or repair. Also, the meaning of the code 200 is pretty certain. This is also due to the fact that additional skilled workers are required.

The meaning of other mysterious IKEA codes – “Pippi Longstocking” and Co.

However, many of the IKEA codes are only speculative for us and their meaning is not certain. Nevertheless, it can be interesting to take a look at the codes that are common but raise a big question mark for us as buyers.

For example, if “Pippi Longstocking” is mentioned in an announcement, this is code for the need for security personnel. “Lucky Luke” is a code that requests that more registers be manned. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that a code will never remain identical for long. The code 300 is used to notify that there is an injured customer. The code 500 is used in a similar way: This is used to call first aiders in German IKEA stores. If you go to a branch in Switzerland, the code 500 has a different meaning. By naming this code, the Swiss IKEA branches are informed that a caregiver has lost sight of a child in Smaland. Other customers and employees are asked to help with the search.

The code 1000 has a different meaning depending on the number of executions. Simply calling it out suggests that all customers and staff should be on the alert. If the code is called a second time, an evacuation will be prepared. The third time the code “1000” is called, the evacuation is then carried out. How serious the situation really is cannot be predicted: it can be a compulsory exercise, but it can also be a bomb alert or a real danger to life.

Food

Rapeseed Oil or Sunflower Oil: When to Use Which Oil?

Canola oil and sunflower oil are used almost every day for frying, baking and marinating. We’ll tell you when which oil is the right one.

Rapeseed oil and sunflower oil: These are the differences

The oils can be made using two processes and have different properties depending on how they are made. The virgin oil is cold-pressed and then not processed further. Such oils contain many vitamins, have a strong taste of their own and are well suited for cold dishes. Refined oil is heated and treated with chemicals.

It must therefore be cleaned of bitter and coloring substances afterwards. This type of production makes it ideal for heating food.

Sunflower oil and rapeseed oil have different properties and ingredients

Which oil is the right one?

But which oil is the right one? Since both are suitable for roasting and baking, this is not the difference. This is mainly due to the ingredients. This is where rapeseed oil scores because of the amount of omega-3 fatty acids it contains. The ratio of the polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 is crucial for our body.

As a rule, we consume too much omega-6 fatty acids. These are found in many foods such as poultry, butter, cheese and eggs. This excess can have a negative impact on our cholesterol levels. However, the ideal ratio of the two fatty acids is 2:1 of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Exactly this ratio is present in rapeseed oil and is ideal for our body. The best thing about it: Rapeseed oil is well distributed in both cold-pressed and refined form. Just one tablespoon of rapeseed oil covers a large part of the daily requirement for omega-3 fatty acids.

Sunflower oil does not have this ratio, but it does have many essential vitamins: A, B, D and K, as well as plenty of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. The vitamins protect cells from harmful attacks by free radicals. It also has a high proportion of healthy linoleic acid. So it is best to use both oils. The rest is known to be a matter of taste.

Lifestyle

Death on a Plane: What Happens When Someone Dies on a Flight?

If you choose the plane as your means of travel, you don’t expect the horror scenario of someone dying during the flight. But what happens when an emergency occurs?

The regulations: This is what happens in the event of a death

The plane is a popular means for us humans to travel to another country for work or vacation. According to statistics, in 2021 alone, around 20 percent of all traveled either privately or on business. But even if your thoughts are only about the positive and the long-awaited vacation, at some point the thought comes up: What if a fellow passenger dies during the flight?

In principle, it is not possible for the flight crew to foresee whether a passenger will start the flight despite being ill. On the one hand, this can be due to ignorance about the disease, but sometimes the trip is absolutely necessary for sick people so that he or she can be treated at another location, for example.

As for the flight crew, you don’t have to worry: all crew members must be properly trained to deal with any emergency, including the death of a passenger. It is interesting to know that neither the staff nor the pilot are allowed to declare a passenger dead. This right is reserved for doctors. Flight personnel are required to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to landing. Only after landing is the victim handed over to rescue workers, who can then, if necessary, declare him dead.

The emergency landing: How it takes place

The rescue of the passenger is of course the top priority. Nevertheless, it is not always possible for the pilot to carry out an intermediate or emergency landing immediately. This is the case, for example, when the aircraft is over the Atlantic. If, in an extreme case, the landing cannot be carried out promptly, the flight crew can receive support from medical specialists via radio. A portal that makes this possible is, for example, Medlink. Over the radio, doctors give instructions and accompany the crew members.

The presence of a doctor is an exceptional case: the aircraft does not necessarily have to make an emergency landing in the situation. As a rule, the aircraft then flies to the destination airport even if a passenger dies. Of course, the deceased person is protected from the eyes of others: the airlines normally have body bags on board. If this is not the case, the person is covered with a blanket and brought to the last row. When the plane lands, medical staff are on site to take the person.

Even if such a situation arises, the best possible treatment is guaranteed. However, such cases are very rare; Normally there is no need to worry.

Lifestyle

Already Dangerous? Why Your Dog is Panting – and When You Should See The Vet

When your dog pant, it’s nothing unusual at first. However, there are certain signs of a panting dog that you should seek advice from your veterinarian.

Why do dogs pant?

Dogs lack the ability to sweat because they hardly have any sweat glands on their bodies. A few are located in the area of the paw pads and the nose. Dogs regulate their body temperature to a large extent through the upper respiratory tract, which includes the pharynx, nasal cavity, larynx, and trachea. Panting allows dogs to bring cooler air into their bodies, cooling themselves from the inside out. Panting increases the exchange of air between the mouth and the trachea. The sense and purpose of panting is therefore only in the increased evaporative cooling, which is caused by the constant draft. This eventually lowers the body temperature. Dogs breathe much shallower than humans and the increased saliva production, commonly referred to as “drooling,” prevents the tongue from drying out.

This type of cooling has other advantages for dogs:
Dogs can actively control the breathing rate when panting and thus the degree of cooling.
When panting, your dog does not lose vital salts through the skin, as is the case with sweating.
Panting does not produce odors, which could create disadvantages among conspecifics that communicate via scents. Because in addition to the sense of sight, hearing and touch, dogs also come into contact through scents and transmit messages.
Depending on the size, breed and physique of the dog, the amount of panting varies. Smaller dogs have an easier time regulating their temperature due to their physique and lower body volume. So they don’t have to pant as often and as much as their larger conspecifics. Larger dogs, on the other hand, have to pant a lot more to keep their bodies from overheating. Heavier drooling is also common.

With short-headed dog breeds, which include pugs, Pekingese or bulldogs, for example, heavy panting can occur even with little physical exertion. Their reduced turbinate and the resulting shortened airways make it difficult for them to breathe and pant. As a result, they have fewer opportunities to regulate their body temperature by panting. If your dog is one of these dog breeds, you should keep an eye on your dog when he’s panting so he doesn’t overheat. Before you get a dog, you should find out about the characteristics typical of the breed so that you do not unknowingly expose it to stressful situations.

When is panting normal in dogs?

Even a dog’s body needs to cool down after a long walk, an hour of agility training, or mantrailing, but it lacks the ability to sweat. This means that dogs cannot use the evaporative cooling that occurs when sweating on human skin like we humans can. They can shed a little sweat through the pads of their paws and the nose, but the cooling effect is very small and not enough to regulate body temperature. The low level of perspiration through the paws is primarily used to leave scent marks (pheromones) for conspecifics. When panting, dogs breathe shallowly and rapidly, up to 300 times per minute. This accelerates the evaporation of water on the tongue, in the mouth and in the upper respiratory tract. This effect helps your dog normalize its body temperature.

Tip: If you have a puppy or older dog, make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. The cardiovascular system could possibly be overtaxed. Make sure your dog always has fresh water available and offer him cool treats like watermelon or dog ice cream in the summer.

In addition to heat and physical exertion, emotions can also lead to increased panting. For example, if your dog is very happy when you come home or when he meets his playmates, it can upset him emotionally. Conversely, dogs can also experience stress when they feel overwhelmed in certain situations. Experts speak of a skipping action in which dogs, for example, scratch, bark or pant when they are stressed.

Many dogs also develop great fears of thunderstorms, lightning, or loud noises. In addition to volume, dogs also seem to sense a drop in pressure during thunderstorms. Darkening skies and gusts of wind can also frighten them. This can even lead to panic attacks, which are usually accompanied by rapid panting.

Tip: The most important thing is that you keep calm yourself, because your dog will sense your insecurity. Try to free your dog from the stressful situation as quickly as possible and have a calming effect on him. Move calmly and behave normally.

Intense sniffing is one of the favorite pastimes of many dogs. Hunting dogs, civil protection dogs or mantrailing use this ability to track down game, save people or set tracks. However, it also requires a high level of concentration in the dog and causes the salivation to be stimulated. Dogs can absorb significantly more scents through increased panting, but this also means a lot of effort.

Tip: Your dog performs at its best when it comes to nose work, which is why you should give your four-legged friend enough rest breaks after training.

If you experience these symptoms, you should seek veterinary advice

If your dog has been exposed to high temperatures and has been in the sun for a long time, it may have suffered from heat stroke. In addition to high outside temperatures, high physical stress through dog sports, running on a bike or being locked in overheated cars can also be reasons for heat stroke. Then, in addition to the strong panting, the following symptoms appear:
Vomit
Diarrhea
balance disorders
apathy
cramps
In the event of heat stroke, the entire dog’s body is affected. Due to the severe overheating, the dog tries to pant more and more to lower its body temperature. However, he loses more and more fluid, which means that the blood becomes more concentrated and can no longer flow through the body as quickly. The heart then has to do more work and severe circulatory problems can occur, which can lead to loss of consciousness and shock. In the worst case, dogs can also die from heat stroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate emergency care.
Important: Never leave your dog in a heated car. The inside temperature rises extremely quickly when exposed to sunlight and within a very short time the dog can no longer compensate for the heat.

gastric torsion or poisoning
If your dog shows other symptoms in addition to panting, such as restlessness, increased salivation and pale mucous membranes, it can also be a life-threatening stomach torsion or poisoning.

Gastric torsion is an absolute emergency that requires veterinary treatment within a few hours. The impending constriction of the blood vessels, as well as the entrance and exit of the stomach, is life-threatening. This prevents digestive gases from escaping and allows the stomach to inflate like a balloon. In addition to the stomach, other internal organs can also be affected, which is why immediate surgery is indicated.

Poisoning in a dog is also an emergency. Because if there is no treatment, dogs are threatened with long-term consequential damage or even death. The symptoms that dogs show when poisoned depend on the type and dose of the poison. In addition to panting, the following symptoms can also occur:
Vomit
fast or irregular pulse
restlessness
apathy
constricted or dilated pupils
Important: If you suspect poisoning in your dog, you should first try to calm your dog down. Also make sure that the airways remain free and bring the dog into the stable side position. If possible, you can bring a sample of the dog’s poison or vomit to the vet for testing.

Dogs can also react to heart problems with increased panting. If the heart no longer provides its full pumping capacity, the dog’s body can no longer supply every cell with sufficient oxygen. The lungs can also be affected by heart problems if fluid builds up in the lung tissue. This can result in the dog not getting enough oxygen.

Other symptoms that may indicate a heart or lung problem include:
Cough
Strangle
listlessness
Collapse
Pale or bluish gums
Attention: Panting in combination with pale mucous membranes can also indicate anemia, i.e. anemia or poor circulation.

Cushing’s syndrome is a disease of the endocrine system that results in increased cortisol levels. Poodles, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, terriers and boxers are particularly affected: If your dog shows the following symptoms in addition to excessive panting, you should take it to the veterinary practice:
Excessive thirst and urination
hair loss
Bloated stomach
Other causes of increased panting in dogs:

Allergic Reactions: In an allergic reaction, dogs can sometimes become short of breath, lethargic, or vomit.
Infections: In some cases, infections can cause pneumonia. In addition to panting, your dog will then develop breathing problems, coughing and possibly a fever.
Pain: Dogs are particularly good at hiding pain. First signs can be, for example, when your dog is restless and panting when he would normally relax. If severe exhaustion, a lack of movement or vomiting also occur, this can indicate pain.
Overweight: If your dog weighs too many kilos, his organism will also be under more strain. In addition, lighter movements are difficult for him. This can also manifest itself in increased panting. Since obesity in dogs can also cause secondary diseases such as arthrosis, diabetes or heart problems, you should discuss with your veterinarian how your dog can best lose weight.

Conclusion

In summary, the following points should be observed:
Dogs can regulate their body temperature by panting. High outside temperatures or physical exertion can trigger panting in dogs and is not initially a cause for concern.
Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water, because panting causes him to constantly consume fluid.
Some dog breeds pant particularly often. This is especially the case with short-headed dog breeds, as their airways are shortened, making it harder for them to breathe.
The size of the dog also plays a role, as large dogs have more body volume.
In addition to physical causes, psychological factors such as excitement, nervousness and stress can also lead to dogs panting more often.
If your dog is panting for no apparent reason, it could be due to illness, upset stomach, poisoning, fever and pain. You should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
If, in addition to heavy panting, other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, balance disorders, apathy or cramps occur when the outside temperature is high, this can indicate life-threatening heat stroke. Then you should immediately take your dog to a cool place and definitely consult a veterinarian.