Exclusive Care s Health Awareness Newsle er

Transcription

1 Exclusive Care s Health Awareness Newsle er June is Fireworks Safety Month Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain. Many people end up in the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. While fireworks are fun for some it can also be dangerous for many. Inside this Issue: Fireworks Safety p. 1-2 Dogs and Fireworks... p. 3-5 Cats and Fireworks p. 6 Monthly Health Challenge...p...7

2 Fireworks Safety Remember, fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries. You can help us prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths by using the below safety tips: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. Source: Safety-Education/Safety-Education

3 Dogs & Fireworks: How to Keep your Dog Calm and Safe During July 4th What says Happy 4th of July better than fireworks? While enjoyable and entertaining for people, fireworks can send your dog into a scared frenzy. The loud noises and bright flashes of fireworks may alarm your dog, so we have a few great tips to minimize your dog s anxiety and fear during fireworks celebrations. Create a safe haven for your dog Keep your dog inside and make a safe place for him. Remove all objects from the room that could cause harm some dogs are destructive when frightened. Make sure his go-to hiding spot like under the bed or his kennel is clear and accessible don t pull him out if he is hiding. If the fireworks are especially close to your house, take him to a friend s house where the noise won t be as loud. Also close all the curtains and blinds to keep out the bright light flashes and decrease the loud booms and make sure all the doors and windows are securely closed and locked. You may also want to put down some training pads in case your dog gets excited and has an accident. Sources:

4 When There to are many Use calming the sprays Emergency out there to ease Room your dog s - stress. Adult If his Whenever an illness or injury occurs, you need to decide how serious it is and how soon to get medical care. This will help you choose whether it is best to: Call your doctor Go to an urgent care clinic Go to an emergency department right away It pays to think about the right place to go. Treatment in an emergency department can cost 2 to 3 times more than the releasing same care energy in your now, doctor's he ll office. have Think less about to this exert and during the other the issues fireworks listed below and when deciding. hopefully be less stressed. How quickly do you need care? If a person or unborn baby could die or be permanently disabled, it is an emergency. Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. Often your primary care physician can offer guidance, and Call 911 to have Feed when the your necessary, emergency dog team a direct big come meal you to to you an the right hour appropriate care facility. If you are unable to reach your away or if you two cannot before wait, the such celebration. as for: He ll feel primary care physician and are unsure of where you should go, this information may help. Choking The urgent care physician may determine that your condition warrants emergency evaluation and recommend Stopped Massage that breathing you be his sent nerves to a hospital away emergency room for further treatment. Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion Injury to neck or spine, especially if there is loss of feeling or inability to move Electric shock or lightning strike Severe burn Severe chest pain or pressure Seizure that lasted 3 to 5 minutes Go to an emergency department or call 911 for help for problems such as: Trouble breathing Calm your dog with aromatherapy Passing out, fainting Pain in the arm or jaw Unusual or bad headache, especially if it started suddenly Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body Source: Dizziness or weakness that does not go away reaction is severe, talk to your vet for a prescription. Otherwise, try an over-the-counter remedy or an at-home aromatherapy oil spray like lavender. Spray his coat and on a bandana or something that you can tie loosely around his neck. Exercise your dog Wear your dog out. Three or four hours before the celebration, take your dog for a long walk, run, or to the dog park. Playing catch is also a great way to exhaust your dog try it for a half hour or until your dog tires. By Feed him a big meal relaxed and content like you do after a big meal. You know how relaxing massages are for you, so try it on your dog. Have him lie down and gently massage his legs, shoulders, back, neck, and tips of his ears. You can even hold him during the fireworks and pet him to reduce anxiety. Cuddle his fears away During (if you are staying inside) and after the fireworks, it s important to spend quality time with your dog. This will calm him down and ensure him that everything is ok and the fireworks are over.

5 When to Use the Emergency Room - Adult Whenever an illness or injury occurs, you need to decide how serious it is and how soon to get medical care. This will help Try you keeping choose whether your it is dog s best to: focus away from the fireworks by Call your doctor Go to an urgent care clinic Provide some distractions cuddling or playing. You can also give him a toy like a frozen treat or a rawhide to divert his attention. Try turning on the radio or the television to block out some of the fireworks noises and cheering. Go to an emergency department right away Make sure your dog has proper ID It pays to think about the right place to go. Treatment in an emergency department can cost 2 to 3 times more than the same care in your doctor's office. Think about this and the other issues listed below when deciding. If you do take your dog to the fireworks (which isn t recommended) make sure he is micro-chipped and wearing an ID collar. Your dog may get scared and bolt. Always keep your Urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. Often your primary care physician can offer dog on a leash and keep him far away from where the fireworks guidance, and when necessary, direct you to the appropriate care facility. If you are unable to reach your primary care physician are being and are set unsure off. of where you should go, this information may help. The urgent care physician may determine that your condition warrants emergency evaluation and recommend that you be sent to a hospital emergency room for further treatment. Signs of an Emergency How quickly do you need care? If a person or unborn baby could die or be permanently disabled, it is an emergency. Call 911 to have the emergency team come to you right away if you cannot wait, such as for: Choking Stopped breathing Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion Injury to neck or spine, especially if there is loss of feeling or inability to move Electric shock or lightning strike Severe burn Severe chest pain or pressure Source: 20_your_Dog_Calm_and_Safe_During_July_4th.aspx Seizure that lasted 3 to 5 minutes Source:

6 Signs of an Emergency continued.. Go to an emergency department or call 911 for help for problems such as: headache, Be aware especially of the if it signs started of stress and anxiety. Each cat will react differently, but in suddenly general, watch for changes in appetite, excess vocalization, trembling, hiding, Suddenly abnormal not able grooming to speak, behavior, see, walk, irritability, or move aggressiveness, and restlessness. Suddenly Make weak sure or your drooping cat has on a one safe side place of the to body retreat. If you are planning on having guests in your home, consider placing your cat in a room away from all the activity. Be sure your Dizziness or weakness that does not go away cat has food, water, a litter box, and a comfortable bed or blanket on which to rest. Inhaled Giving smoke your or cat poisonous a box or fumes crate in which to seek refuge and hide may be helpful also. Sudden Turn confusion the lights out for your cat and close the window shades to hide the outdoor Heavy activities. bleeding Play soothing music in the background for your cat or leave a television playing. Possible broken bone, loss of movement, especially if the bone is pushing through the skin Deep wound Serious burn Cats & Fireworks: How to Keep your Coughing or throwing up blood Cat Calm and Safe During July 4th Keep your cat indoors. Doing so will be safer for your cat and will also allow you to observe your cat for evidence of anxiety. Severe pain anywhere on the body Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives High Comfort fever with your headache cat by and petting stiff neck and speaking soothingly. Keep in mind though that a frightened cat may become aggressive and may strike out, even at a trusted human High companion. fever that does not get better with medicine Throwing up or loose stools that does not stop Feline pheromones can be used to calm your cat and reduce anxiety. A completely Poisoning natural or overdose solution, of these drug pheromones or alcohol are safe to use with very little if any risk of side effects. A diffuser can simply be plugged into an electrical outlet. Suicidal thoughts Seizures Pressure wrap devices can also help relieve your cat s anxiety. These devices wrap tightly but gently around your cat s torso and provide relief from anxiety for many cats. Allow your cat to become accustomed to wearing the apparel prior to the holiday. There are herbal remedies that can be used to help calm your cat also. Always consult your veterinarian before using any medication for your cat. Many remedies that are safe for you or even for your dog may not be safe for your cat. Use essential oils, even those with calming properties, cautiously around your cat. Cats can be quite sensitive to the effects of these oils and some may even be toxic. For cats with severe anxiety, your veterinarian can prescribe an anxiolytic (antianxiety) medication. Source: Source:

7 Sources: 2009 Wellsource, Inc. Monthly Health Challenge Eat Breakfast Daily Requirements to Complete this Health Challenge: 1. Keep track of the number of days you eat breakfast. 2. Read Why eat breakfast in this newsletter 3. To complete the challenge, eat a healthy breakfast at least 22 days this month. 4. Keep records of your completed challenge in case you need to refer back. Why Eat Breakfast? Either because of time constraints or the desire to lose weight, at least 17% of Americans regularly skip the morning meal. But to meet the demands of a busy day, your body and mind need the required nutrients and energy a well-balanced breakfast provides. People who do not eat a healthy breakfast experience a let down or low energy levels later in the morning. Skipping breakfast leads to: Impaired ability to think and concentrate. Decreased ability to learn. Increased stress hormones, irritability and emotional arousal (how calm do you feel when you re very hungry?), and a higher accident rate. Increased obesity. When comparing breakfast eaters to breakfast skippers, studies show that breakfast skippers have a greater tendency to be overweight. Feeling tired with decreased physical performance (food provides energy for both physical and mental work). Large population studies show that those who eat breakfast daily live longer than those who tend to skip breakfast. Eating regular meals especially breakfast every day is a good health habit. Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, provides fuel for your mind, and cuts down on mid morning snacking. Most snack foods are high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, and low in nutrients. This is probably one reason why breakfast skippers tend to weigh more.

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