First Aid Ambulance

In an emergency, the first seconds are the most important in determining whether or not your pet can be saved. The steps described in this article are not meant to replace a trip to the Veterinarian, but they will likely make your vet bill cheaper and increase your pet's chance for survival. 

First, you should designate a box or other container in an easy-to-reach, convenient location to store supplies. This box or container should have the name and number of your veterinarian and the name and number of an emergency veterinarian in the area for after-hours or holiday emergencies. Some veterinary clinics have 24-hour emergency service, and others will give you the name and number of a local emergency clinic they recommend. It is best to get this information before an emergency and have it visible because each second counts. Have someone call while you attend to the animal, if you are alone, call before attending to the animal as the receptionist may be able to help you through the steps necessary and advise you in your unique emergency what not to do. Other useful information to have on hand to receive the best help from the receptionist is the weight of the animal from it's last visit, any known allergies, dates of vaccinations (especially when using an emergency hospital instead of your usual vet), and any other known illnesses or problems (i.e. diabetes, hip dysplasia, etc.) and current medications, if any.

Next, it is a good idea to have an old, but clean towel with few or no holes. This can be used to restrain an angry cat or to place over a dog's head while working with the injured area. Remember, an injured pet does not know you are trying to help him and will bite or scratch even if he is normally a calm, loving animal. Always approach with caution.
Some basic bandaging supplies are necessary, but pets don't use band-aids. Guaze or more clean, old towels makes great absorbent material and also is useful in padding an injured limb to help stabalize it. Thick, cotton guaze is best, especially when you are not sure how much pressure to put on a wound. This will help avoid bandaging too tight which can slow healing or even kill the tissue below the wound. The thick guaze can be purchased at most feed stores as it is often used to pad horse bandages. Again, clean old towels work well too. If you have a cat, cut strips to about the width of the length of your cat's leg, as well as the length of individual parts of your cat's leg. Leave the strips long enough to go around the leg at least three times. To hold the bandage in place, use duct-tape. This can either be taped once around the bandage or, to provide a more stable and waterproof bandage (which is preferable in most situations in case there is a fracture involved), wrap the duct-tape several times around the bandage being careful not to place it too tightly around the wound. While pressure is essential to stop bleeding and stabalize a limb, it is important to allow the blood to flow through the veins. A good way to make sure you have not placed a bandage too tightly on a limb is to leave the foot exposed and watch for signs of swelling, loss of color or if the foot is cool to touch.

I do not advise adding disinfectants to the wound without a vet's approval. The reason for this is that some animals react badly to disinfectants used for humans or other animals. Case in point, during my internship as a veterinary technician, a family brought their beloved cat in because she had become really sick and they thought it was from the injuries she sustained from a cat fight. It was actually the disinfectant that they used that poisoned the cat and the cat had to be put to sleep. The disinfectant was a purple substance often used for horses and cattle. Instead, if there is visible dirt in the wound that you would like to remove before bandaging, use a dispense bottle of distilled water (you can buy distilled water at your grocery store and dispensers at most drug stores or online). This is optional because infections will be taken care of by your veterinarian and are often not the first thing you should worry about in an emergency.

Other items that are useful to have in your kit are syrup of Ipecac or hydrogen peroxide to use as emetics (agents to help your pet vomit). ALWAYS ask your veterinarian before giving these emetics to your animal as some poisons should not be vomitted. Activated Charcoal can be useful too, but it is not easily attainable and again, should only be used with your veterinarian's approval. All of these things should be measured using an oral syringe (often attainable in your grocery store in the baby section or in your local pharmacy/drug store). A veterinarian can give you the proper dose over the phone if you have the animal's weight available. Keep in mind, they may ask that you do not administer anything, and allow them to evaluate the animal first, trust your veterinarian's judgement.

Non-dyed, non-fragranced dish detergent may save your pet's life in the event of an allergic reaction to a topical substance or is displaying signs of illness after having a chemical applied to their fur or skin. Common substances that have caused adverse reactions in my experience are over-the-counter flea medications, flea shampoos, fragrant shampoos and medications applied (purposely or accidently) to the animal that were not meant for that animal. In the case that your animal has a reaction to something being applied to his fur or skin, wash the animal with the non-dyed, non-frangranced dish detergent to remove the remainder of the culprit substance preventing the situation from getting worse, then rush the animal to the veterinarian.

Another useful item is a bar of Ivory soap or other, non-dyed, non-fragrance bar soap. This is especially useful to have on hand if you clip your animal's toe-nails yourself. If you ever cut a quick and cause bleeding, dipping the claw in the soap can help stop the bleeding. Cornstarch also works. NEVER use a match because this can hurt the animal more.
If your animal is diabetic, a bottle of karo syrup or honey should be kept in case of a dip in glucose levels.

Latex or rubber gloves may be good to have on hand for yourself. A number of a neighbor or someone who lives nearby (more than one number is better, especially if you live alone or are often alone with the animal) to help with transporting the animal (a large dog is difficult for one person to carry and impossible to carry without causing more pain or injury- with two people a board or blanket can be used to transport the animal without causing furthing pain or injury). You may also find you need someone else to drive. Often pet owners get into accidents bringing their animals in for an emergency because they are distressed. Having someone else drive you and your pet to the veterinarian is safer and also allows you to attend to the animal while you are driving (speak softly and calmly to the animal and watch for difficulty breathing or other abnormal behavior- focusing on calming your pet will help your pet keep from injuring itself more and will help you calmer as an added bonus).

Finally, instructions for CPR for your pet should be kept in the box. A patient in need of CPR rarely has the amount of time it takes to travel to the vet. Ideally, you should have one person drive while the other performs CPR (though this may not be possible without putting yourself in danger being out of a seatbelt). Instructions for pet CPR can be found at http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html in a printable brochure form. This is the exact material my Veterinary Technology class read before attempting CPR on our practice models and I found it helpful and easy to follow.

In Summary the kit should include:
1) Name and Phone # of your veterinarian and an emergency veterinarian
2) Information about your pet to include: weight, vaccinations, illnesses and medical conditions, allergies and medications
3) Name and Number of a neighbor or someone close by to help you/drive you
4) CPR instructions
5) Old, clean towels cut into strips or thick cotton gauze for bandaging
6) Duct tape to secure bandages
7) An old, clean towel with few or no holes to use in restraint or to cover your animal's head
Syrup of Ipecac or Hydrogen Peroxide
9) Activated Charcoal (optional)
10) Oral Syringe measured in ml or cc
11) Non-dyed, non-fragranced dish soap
12) Ivory bar soap (or similar) or Cornstarch (optional
13) Honey or Karo Syrup (if your animal is diabetic)
14) Distilled water in a dispense bottle (optional)
15) Latex Gloves (optional).
With these items, you will have the supplies necessary to save your pet's life in the most common emergencies.

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Outdoor_Power_Tools

Making your own first aid kit for outdoor activities can be a great way to save money and personalize your first aid kit to your needs. If you have children, it's also a good way to teach them a little about first aid. Make sure your kit is ready for any outdoor emergency with this checklist.

Container

Start with a sturdy waterproof container. I use a plastic container made for storing crafts. You can also use a small tackle box. If budget is an issue, a large Ziploc bag works well too.

Bandages

You'll want several adhesive bandages of varying sizes. Custom bandages for blisters, knuckles and fingers are a good idea. I also keep a bottle liquid bandage for bandaging awkward spots like elbows. If you have small children, you might want to include bandages with their favorite characters. Don't forget to stock an ACE bandage. It's not only good for sprains and strains, but it can help provide pressure to stop bleeding.

Gauze and Tape

Gauze can be used to apply pressure to a bleeding wound or make a makeshift bandage in a pinch. I kept 6-10 gauze pads as well as a roll of gauze in my first aid kit. First aid tape comes in several sizes so take your pick. Choose one that can be torn off rather than cut.

Ointments, Cream and Wipes

Alcohol prep pads or disinfecting wipes are needed for cleaning wounds. You'll also want some antibiotic ointment to keep the wound from getting infected. If you have children that refuse to let you put ointments on, try a spray antibiotic like Neosporin's Neo to Go. My daughter will scream down the house if I attempt to put triple antibiotic cream on her, but she'll let me spray the wound all day long with Neo to Go. Anti-itch cream and burn ointment are other good items to include in your outdoor first aid kit.

Medications

Single serve packets of pain reliever, antihistamines Benadryl, and anti-diarrheal medications are always good to have on hand. If you have children, make sure to include children's versions. Be sure to keep a close eye on expiration dates.

If you have a life-threatening allergy and carry an Epi-pen, it's a good idea to keep an extra in your first aid kit. Likewise, diabetics should be sure to include insulin, a needle for injecting, and liquid glucose.

Other Essentials

An instant cold pack is an excellent addition to your outdoor first aid kit. It will reduce swelling in the event of a sprained ankle or wrist. An emergency blanket will help keep you warm in the event you're stranded in the woods. A flashlight is a good choice as well. Make sure to check the batteries before you head outdoors and keep a couple extras on hand. Include tweezers in your kit for removing stingers.

If you will be hiking, you might want to include some water purification tablets. While water from a stream or creek may look inviting, it sometimes harbors harmful bacteria. Water purification tablets will help ensure the water is safe for you to drink.

While most of your first aid treatment will probably be confined to a family or friend, you never know when a stranger might need your help. Keep disposable gloves and a CPR mask on hand to protect yourself. If someone in your family is allergic to latex, choose your gloves carefully.

Last, but not least, it's always a good idea to have a first aid guide. In the middle of an emergency, you may not be thinking clearly and having written instructions that tell you what to do and how to do it can be critical. You can usually find pocket guides near first aid supplies in stores or you can download a printable guide from a number of websites.

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Power_Tools

As the popularity of the sport of soccer increases, so does the number of children throughout the country who play the sport–from novice preschool-age players to top-notch high-school athletes.

Naturally, as more kids play, the number of children who get injured increases as well. In fact, from 1990 through 2003, 1.6 million kids suffered from soccer-related injuries that took them to the emergency rooms of their local hospitals.

That breaks down o 96,200 to 136,600 pediatric soccer injuries annually, according to researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Their study is published in the February issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Soccer injuries peaked in 2,000 when approximately 2 in every 1,000 children in the U.S. sought emergency care for a soccer injury.

Boys suffered from the most injuries, although over the 14-period of the study, there was an increase in girls getting hurt. Preschool-age children, and they reviewed medical records of children as young as two years old, sustained a higher number of injuries to the face, head and neck.

Overall, the most common injuries were to the wrist, finger, hand ankle and knee. Diagnoses ranged from sprains and strains to contusions, abrasions and fractures.

Tips for keeping your kids safe.

So how can you keep your child safe on the soccer playing field? Follow this advice from SafeUSA.org, a nonprofit organization in Baltimore, Md., dedicated to injury and violence prevention. This group compiled safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and other sports health organizations:

1. Make sure your child has a complete physical exam from his pediatrician or family physician before the soccer season begins-or before he starts any new season of sports.
2. Make sure she wears all the required safety gear every time she plays and practices, that includes shin guards and cleats; some programs encourage the use of mouthguards. Boys should wear athletic supporters. All kids should wear sunscreen and have plenty of water on hand.
3. Insist that your child warm up and stretch before playing.
4. Make sure first aid is available at all games and practices.
5. Talk to you child's coach about whether kids are receiving adequate training how to « head » the ball to prevent head and neck injury.
6. Make sure your child's coach or soccer club is adequately securing movable soccer goals. Goals have been known to tip over causing severe head injuries.
7. Beware of violent behavior and aggressive infractions on the field. Talk to your child's coach or the referees if you see some offensive, aggressive behavior.
8. Keep soccer fun. Putting too much focus on winning can make your child push too hard and risk injury.

Sources:

SafeUSA, (www.safeusa.org/sports/soccer.htm)

American Journal of Sports Medicine, February 2007, (http://ajs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/288)

Columbus Children's Hospital news release, February 1, 2007,
(http://www.columbuschildrens.com/gd/applications/controller.cfm?page=204&id=338&type=new)

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Queen_Mattress

A first aid kit for pets is an important essential to any pet owner who knows what should be in it and how to use whatever is in it. Designed specially for pets who are sick, or have met with and accident, these first aid kits for pets helps a pet owner with a basic first aid that can help your cat, dog, bird or horse increase their chance of survival before you can even get to the vet. Take a look at some of these first aid kits for pets listed below-

First Aid Kits for Pets: Me Ow First Aid Kid for Cats

A first aid for cats and kittens, this kit includes essentials for cuts, bites , ears, hairballs an much more. This first aid kit for pets comes in water resistant bag and contains a vinyl gloves, cold pack, splint material , gauze stretch gauze roll , a triple antibiotic ointment hydrocortisone cream, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, scissors, elastic bandage , adhesive tape, cotton swabs and a 60 page pet first aid book. Priced at $29.95, this first aid kit for pets is available at Me-First-Aid-Kit-Cats.

First Aid Kits for Pets: First Aid Kit for Birds

This first aid kit for birds contains everything you would need to provide basic first aid for your injured bird. A first aid kit for pets, this kit includes a pair of latex gloves, bottle of eye and skin wash, a pair of 5″ locking forceps, PVP iodine antiseptic swabs , sterile gauze bandage, antiseptic towelettes cotton swabs, bottle of styptic powder, hand wipes for personal clean up and a bird kit direction card. Priced at $21.99,the clear instructions of this first aid kit for pets will help you remedy common injuries quickly and also keep you prepared in the event of any emergency. This first aid kit for birds is available at drsfostersmith.

First Aid Kits for Pets: Horse Aid- First Aid Kit for Horses

This first aid kit for horses includes a Corona antiseptic ointment, 3-ply towels, flexible cohesive wrap, iodine prep pads, saline solution, surgical scrub brush, syringe, hydrogen peroxide, vinyl gloves, gauze pads, alcohol prep pads, thermometer , cold pack and a horse first aid book. A first aid kit for pets which contains essential items for horse first aid emergencies, this first aid kit is priced at $53.95 and is available at first-aid-product.

First Aid Kits for Pets: Bow Ow – First Aid Kit for Dogs

This first aid kit for dogs is a perfect aid for those individuals who want necessary emergency stabilization first aid tools to handle emergency situation. Equipped with an triple antibiotic ointment, elastic bandages, vinyl gloves , cotton balls, tweezers, scissors, antiseptic wipes, cold packs, splint material and a pet first aid book, this first aid kit for pets helps people deal with minor injuries or stabilize a dog on the way to the vet for treatment. A perfect first aid kit for pets for home, field or automobile, this kit is priced at $22.95 and is available at Bow-Ow-First-Aid-Dogs.

A great aid during emergencies, these first aid kits for pets can go a long way in treating your pet successfully and keeping them safe and secured.

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Itching_Rash_Treatments

Is online learning right for you? Do you have what it takes to get your education on the internet? Online learning can be a convenient way of getting your education, but it's not for everybody. There are many things you need to consider before signing up for online learning.

First and foremost, you have to be extremely disciplined. You must dedicate the amount of time and effort needed for your classes. In a traditional classroom, you have structure and you must be in class certain times and days. Online learning is a whole new ballgame. You have to decide for yourself how much time you need to put into the class to get your assignments completed on time. Not everyone can do this. Some people need that structure from the traditional classroom. Most people considering online learning either work full-time or are stay at home parents of young children. To be successful in your online studies, you must be able to balance your work/home life with the amount of time needed for school.

Additionally, you must be able to learn from reading the material assigned. In an online course, you don't have the luxury of a teacher or professor standing in front of you telling you what you're learning. You simply must read the material and do the assignments. Again, this is a task easily obtained for some people, but others need a live person to explain things. Don't fret too much about this though. Most online courses allow you to email your professor or other students to get help.

Also, it can be a financial burden. Many online institutions do not offer financial aid and typically cost more than the traditional classes. Make sure to find out how much your education is going to cost before enrolling.

Do some research on the school you're thinking about attending to make sure it is a reputable school; preferably accredited. There are so many choices out there. I would recommend enrolling in a school you already know. Most colleges and universities now offer online learning (also called distance education or distance learning). There are a lot of other schools that are strictly online institutions. I have my reservations about these schools. A lot of their classes are not transferable and employers often discredit degrees from these schools.

My experience with online learning has been successful thus far. I am currently enrolled at an accredited junior college. The online classrooms are very easy to navigate and everything is explained thoroughly. I am able to communicate with teachers, other students, and administrators easily and conveniently via email. This is my first semester in an online course and I was surprised at how user-friendly it really was. You don't have to be a computer expert to take online classes, you just have to be incredibly self-disciplined.

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First_Aid

CPR is something everyone should take the time out to learn. Accidents happen all the time, and being prepared for the situation is important. Here in New York City, there are several places you can go for CPR training and certification.

Baby Be Safe

Baby Be Safe provides training in both New York and New Jersey. Don't be fooled by their name though, as they teach CPR not just for babies and children but also for adults.

They offer non certification classes for individuals like mothers who are just looking to learn in order to be prepared if anything should happen to their child. Depending on location, their prices run from $65 to $85 for all classes.

For certification, they have classes for pediatric first aid and CPR which certifies you in infant and child emergency skills. The primary skills learned is child rescue breathing and how to perform the Heimlich on children or infants. Classes last 4-5 hours and certification is valid for 2 years.

They also hold classes to become certified in adult CPR, that is, anyone 9 years old or older. These classes also last 4 to 5 hours. Students practice on mannequins and learn how to check for a pulse and for breathing. They also learn how to use an AED machine. Certification is valid also for 2 years.

Locations often change but they do hold classes usually at the JCC of Manhattan at 334 Amsterdam Avenue and 75th street.

They also hold classes in Queens and Brooklyn, but the locations change frequently. Their schedule can be seen at www.babybesafe.com

Frontline Health

Frontline Health is another company that offers classes in New York City.

Their adult CPR certification class lasts 4 and a half hours and costs $60. The lesson goes over the proper care for breathing emergencies as well as how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and thus reduce the risk of cardiac arrest.

Child CPR is also 4 and a half hours and $60 for the class.

They also offer a class to be certified in both child and adult CPR. This class runs for 5 and a half hours and costs $70.

All certifications are valid for one year.

Their schedule changes, but as of April, they are holding an Adult CPR class every other Saturday from 9:45 am to 2:00 pm at the Epiphany School at 121 East 28th street between Lexington avenue and 3rd avenue.

For more information, visit frontlinehealth.com

Red Cross

For far more options, The New York Red Cross offers classes over all 5 boroughs and has a great searchable database of classes on their website at http://www.nyredcross.org/takeaclass.php

Standard first aid classes for adult CPR costs $85 and is 6 and a half hours long. For child CPR, the class costs $70 and is 5 hours long. Red Cross certification lasts one year.

They also provide much more advanced classes, for those looking to become life guards or even learn CPR and first aid for pets. You can explore their entire listing at http://www.nyredcross.org/fulllisting.php

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First_Aid_Kit

A very common emergency involves some sort of « wound »

Heavy Bleeding from Wounds:

There are different kinds of wounds that may cause bleeding. This list may help you describe the wound clearly when you call 911.

Abrasions or scrapes are caused by rubbing or scraping.

Lacerated wounds have rough or jagged edges.
Puncture wounds are produced by objects that are pointy.
Incised wounds are caused by a sharp cutting edge, such as a knife or razor.

An Avulsion tears a whole piece of skin and tissue loose or leaves it hanging as a flap.
Amputation- a body part such as a leg or arm is completely cut through or torn off.

Crush injuries can result when a part of the body is caught between heavy pieces of equipment or machinery.

What to look for:

A lot of bright-red or dark-red blood is coming out fast from a cut or wound. The victim may be hurting a lot. The black pupils in the center of the eye have gotten big. Skin feels damp, cool and wet. Skin looks blotchy. Heart beat or pulse is fast but weak. Breathing is also fast, like a runner panting. Victim might throw up. Victim is thirsty. Victim may not know what's going on. Victim may be weak and can't get up. Victim may be woozy, even sleepy, may even faint.

What should you do first? Call 911

Until EMS arrives you should:

Have the victim lie down. If there's no broken bone suspected, elevate the bleeding part if it's an arm or leg. Keep the person warm with a blanket. Wash your own hands and then clean the wound of any large pieces of dirt or debris. Put on disposable latex gloves if you have them.

Cover the wound:

Make a pad of clean and thick cloth. Use gauze from a first-aid kit. If you don't have gauze, use a clean undershirt, towel, bed sheet or handkerchief.

Put it over the place where the blood is coming from. Make sure it covers the entire wound. Press your hand right over the dressing. (Anything put over a wound is called a « dressing »)

When the dressing gets soaked with blood, replace with another dry, clean, padded cloth. Press down for 5 minutes. If the bleeding doesn't't stop, hold down on a pressure point. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and just below the armpit. Pressure points of the leg are just behind the knee and in the groin. Press down on the pressure point only for a few minutes. Don't stop pressing on the wound. Press down on both the pressure point and the wound. When bleeding starts to slow down, let up on the pressure point. When bleeding stops altogether, you can then make a bandage. This keeps the dressing in place. If you don't have first-aid tape, use a necktie, belt or strips of cloth-anything that will hold the dressing over the wound. Keep the person quiet and lying still. Reassure the person.

If the bone is sticking out of the wound, DO NOT press on the top of the wound. Instead, press down around it.

Wounds of the neck:

Tell the 911 operator if the person can't move arms, legs or has back or neck pain. Until help arrives, if breathing stops, use CPR. DO NOT try and move the person!

Chest wounds:

Don't try to move anything sticking out of the chest. Make sure victim is breathing. Try to keep the dressing over the wound snug to prevent air from escaping. Cover the dressing with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Tape the wound shut with adhesive tape. Do NOT give the victim anything to eat or drink and DO NOT panic!

Scalp (head) wounds:

These cuts or scrapes on the top of the head may bleed a lot.

Bandage carefully. Check for other injuries of the head at the same time. If the victim is dizzy, can't remember what happened or faints, call 911 immediately.

Bandage the wound in place with an elastic roller bandage which goes around the head. You can also use a towel or another object that ties to keep the bandage secure.

Eye Injuries:

Get medical help right away.

Don't let the victim touch or rub their eye. Don't try to remove the object yourself. Tell the person that both eyes must be covered to protect the injured eye. Cut a hole into a thick dressing or folded cloth. Never leave the victim alone, as the victim may panic with both eyes covered. Until you can get to help: Flood hurt eye with clean running water for at least 30 minutes. Hold eyelid open pouring water slowly over eyeball inner corner. Let the water run out from the outer corner.

If it's just a « black eye » apply an ice-cold compress to the affected eye for 10 minutes. Don't press on the eye. If they are wearing contact lenses, do not try to remove them.

Unconsciousness:

Call 911 right away. Check breathing. If breathing stops, start CPR

If the neck or back is hurt, don't move person. If neck or back isn't hurt, lay the person down. Loosen clothing. Turn victim onto their side to prevent choking in case they start vomiting. Don't leave victim alone, do NOT give them anything to eat or drink.

Burns:

First degree is minor and it's simply redness

Second degree is moderate and includes redness and blistering

Third degree is critical and involves deep tissue damage.

Fourth degree burns is deep tissue damage and may include bone.

If the burn is larger then the size of your hand, activate 911 immediately.

Stick burned area in cold water (not ice). Put cold compress on burn until pain begins to go away. Cover burned area with a clean dressing. Then bandage loosely. Elevate burned area. Watch for signs of infection (swelling, pain, red streaks)

Don't use antiseptic sprays, butter, ointment or any other home remedies. Don't try to remove stuck on clothing. Don't try to break blisters. Don't try to apply pressure to any burned area(s). Don't use ice water to cool. Don't touch a burn or breathe on it.

Chemical burns:

Call 911

Brush away any chemical powder. Take off all clothing with chemicals on it. Put victim under shower for 10 minutes. A garden hose or bucket of water suffices too.

Blot victim dry with clean towel. Cover burn with clean bandage. Do not use sprays, ointments or antiseptics.This guide covers the basics for the most common types of injuries that require first aid. This doesn't substitute a professional training. It's always a great idea to take a CPR class at least one time in your life. CPR had been mentioned several times. It's too complex to explain just in words. A CPR class teaches you how to do simple life saving techniques on all ages ranging from birth to older adult. Your nearest local Red Cross chapter would be a great place to start to get some more information.

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Bandages_Bandaging_Supplies

April starts right off with a holiday, April Fool's Day, so stay on your toes lest you be taken in by a prank. Easter and Passover frequently, but not always, occur in April as well, and Earth Day occurs on the 22nd. Although it isn't the official start of Spring, it's often when the weather stops blustering long enough to feel springlike, although Robert Frost said « April is the cruelest month » for its extremely changeable weather. But even though « April showers bring May flowers », there are plenty of interesting things to know about the month of April besides the fact that it's rainy!

Monthly Observances

April is National Card and Letter Writing Month, so make sure to keep in touch with your loved ones via snail mail, before the whole postal system goes down the tubes (also, postage increase yet again on May 16, so this is the time to use up all those free notecards the charities having been sending you!); wouldn't you love to get something in your mailbox besides bills and junk? So would everybody else! April is also the National Month for decorating; DNA, genomics and stem-cell education and awareness; gardening, humor, kites, landscape architecture, occupational therapy (I've had jobs that made me want to see a shrink, too); Parkinson's awareness, pecans, poetry, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual assault awareness. April is National Knuckles Down Month, although I do not know what that is (sounds kind of painful), as well as being both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Youth Sports Safety Month (hmm, is there a connection here?)

April is also the International Month for Caesarean awareness, customer loyalty, and pet first aid. Also the International Twit Award is presented in April. I suppose a certain ex-president has received it the last 8 years, so we're going to have to come up with somebody new to nominate. Octo-Mom, anyone?

Weirdest Holiday: International « Louie Louie » Day, on the 11th, because it's not just Americans who can appreciate a badly-enunciated song with a seven-word chorus you can sing whilst incredibly drunk.

April Traditions

Flower: sweet pea – blissful pleasure

Birthstone: diamond – innocence, success, faith Aries's gem: diamond

Zodiac sign: Aries (1-20) and Taurus (21-30; see April for details). Aries the Ram is known as the baby of the zodiac, being the first sign and representing the first several years of life. As a result of this, Aries fire-sign characteristics of excitability, adventurousness and experimentation are multiplied, as children share these same characteristics. Aries people are loads of fun to be with, but can be, as you may expect, immature and careless. Best friends: Leo and Sagittarius. Best love matches: Libra, Gemini and Aquarius.

Famous Birthdays: Hans Christian Andersen (2nd), Marlon Brando (3rd), Gregory Peck (5th), Harry Houdini (6th), Billie Holiday (7th), Hugh Hefner (9th), Omar Sharif (10th), Thomas Jefferson (13th), Pete Rose (14th), Leonardo da Vinci (15th), Dudley Moore (19th), Queen Elizabeth II (21st), Roy Orbison (23rd), Al Pacino (25th), Carol Burnette (26th), Duke Ellington (29th).

Catholic Feast Days

1-Feast of St Hugh of Grenoble

2 – Feast of St Francis of Paola, Ste Mary of Egypt, St Urban of Langres

3- Feast of Ste Irene, St Richard of Chichester

4 – Feast of St Benedict the Black, St Isidore of Seville

5 – Feast of St Vincent Ferrer, St Derfel Gadarn

6 – Feast of St Notker Balbulbus

7 – Feast of St Herman Joseph, St John Baptist de la Salle

8 – Feast of St Walter of Pontoise

9- Feast of Ste Casilda, Ste Mary Cleophas, St Waldetrudis

10- Feast of St Macarius of Ghent, St Ezekiel, St Fulbert of Chartres, the Blessed Madelena of Canossa

11-Feast of Ste Gemma Galgani, Ste Godeberta, St Stanislaus

12-Feast of St Zeno

13-Feast of St Hermenegild, Ste Margaret of Castell, St Ursus

14-Feast of St Bénezet, the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the Blessed Lydwina, St Peter Gonzales

15-Feast of the Venerable Father Damien, Ste Hunna

16-Feast of St Benedict Labre, Ste Bernadette, St Drago, St Magnus of Orkney

17-Feast of St James Duckett

18-Feast of Ste Aya

19-Feast of St Expeditus, St Alphege, Ste Emma

20-Feast of St Peter Martyr, St Uriel the Archangel

21-Feast of St Beuno, St Conrad of Parzham, St Anselm

22-Feast of St Epidosius, St Theodore of Sykeon, Ste Opportunata

23-Feast of St Adalbert of Prague, St George

24-Feast of St William Firmatus, Stes Bova & Doda, St Ivo

25-Feast of St Mark

26-Feast of The Mother of Good Counsel, St Joseph the Hymnographer

27- Feast of Ste Zita, St Maughold

28- Feast of St Peter Mary Chanel, St Aphrodisius, Ste Theodora, St Didymus

29- Feast of Ste Catherine of Siena, St Hugh of Cluny

30- Feast of St Adjutor, St Wolfhard, Ste Hildegard, St Pius V

Check out the funky stuff in these other months:

September – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1017086/september_holidays_traditions_and_more.html?cat=7

October – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1051346/october_holidays_traditions_and_more.html?cat=74

November – November Holidays, Traditions and More – Associated Content

December – December Holidays, Traditions and More – Associated Content

January – January Holidays, Traditions and More – Associated Content

February – http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1399052/february_holidays_traditions_and_more.html?cat=74

March – March Holidays, Traditions and More – Associated Content

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Weighted Vests

Pet owners need to be prepared for emergencies before they happen to their furry family members. Here are a few pet emergency situations and what to do. There are also tips on how to be prepared for first aid treatment for your pet.

Prepare

The first thing to do is to find out from your pet’s veterinarian what their after hour policy is. What phone number do you call if you have a pet emergency and it happens after the veterinarian’s office is closed? Find out if there are any Animal Hospitals in your area that are open after your veterinarian’s office is closed.

First Aid Kit for Pets

Before using any first aid on your pet, first call your veterinarian or an Animal Hospital for instructions. Getting your injured or ill pet to a professional especially in serious injury cases or when there is a life threatening illness. Professional care is the top priority. First aid is to control bleeding, or treat for shock and other first aid treatments that will keep your pet stable until you can get your pet to a professional.

Veterinarian's phone number and any Animal Hospital’s phone number

Gauze to wrap wounds or to muzzle your pet if necesssary

Adhesive tape to secure bandages or gauze

Nonstick bandages like Telfa pads to protect wounds or control bleeding
Towels and cloth
Hydrogen peroxide bottle 3 percent
Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison. Be sure to call either your veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poisoning.
Large syringe without needle or an eyedropper, used to give oral treatments
Muzzle. Use a soft cloth, rope, necktie or nylon stocking. You can also use a towel to cover a small animal's head. Do not use a muzzle if the pet is vomiting.
Stretcher. Use a door, board, blanket or floor mat.
Disposable gloves
Some Situations that may require first aid for your pet (always call your vet first except in severe bleeding or if you pet is not breathing – control bleeding first and give cpr to restore breathing, then call)

Bite Wounds

If another animal has bitten your pet, approach your pet carefully. A wounded pet, even a loving one, may act aggressively when in pain or scared. Muzzle your pet. Use disposable gloves if possible. Check the bite wound for any dirt or debris. Clean by pouring either a electrolyte solution or water over the wound and dressing the wound with clean gauze and securing with adhesive tape. You do not want the bandage to be too tight as to cut off circulation. If the wound is bleeding heavily apply pressure with a clean towel and hold until you arrive at the veterinarian’s office or the Animal Hospital. Do not try to tie a tourniquet. Keep the pressure on the wound site to control bleeding for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Pet is not breathing

First check to see if there is an object lodged in your pet’s throat. If possible sweep the object out of the mouth with your fingers. Place your pet on a firm surface with the pet’s left side up. Listen for a heartbeat by placing your ear near where your pet’s elbow touches the chest area. If you can hear a heartbeat, but the pet is not breathing, than close the pet’s mouth and breath into the pet’s nose (not mouth) 12 to 15 times per minute. You should see your pet’s chest expand when you do this. If there is no heartbeat, apply heart massage at the same time. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg.

Place one hand below the heart to support the chest. Place other hand over the heart and compress gently. To massage the hearts of cats and other tiny pets, compress the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 per minute for smaller ones. Alternate heart massage with breathing. Please understand that even with a professional doing CPR, the chances are low that the pet can be resuscitated. It is good to try, but understand the chances of success are low.

Burns (can be chemical in nature, or from electrical source or heat from a heating pad or from fire)

If the pet was burned by any kind of dry chemical use a brush or towel to brush off BEFORE using water as water will activate some dry chemicals and you will make the burn worse by not removing the chemical first. Do not use your bare hands to remove the dry chemicals. Flush the burned area with cool, fresh water. Wrap an icepack with a light clean cloth and apply to burned area for 15 to 20 minutes.

Chocking

Your pet may be pawing at it’s mouth or you may see it’s lips turning blue, or notice your pet is having difficulty breathing. Be very careful when approaching your pet as it may try to bite you if it is in a high state of anxiety. If your pet can still breath, it is best to do nothing, but bring your pet to your veterinarian. If you pet is having a great deal of difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing, you will need to try to remove the object from the throat. Use your fingers or tweezers to do this, but be careful not to push the object further down the throat. It is best to get a chocking pet to the veterinarian’s as soon as possible.

Diarrhea

A pet can experience diarrhea for many reasons – illness, eating something they should not have are two possible reasons. Withhold food for 12 to 24 hours but do NOT withhold water. Do not try to treat your pet at home. Take your pet to a veterinarian, so that the source of the diarrhea can be determined and proper medication given.

Broken Bones

Pet may be in pain, or you will see your pet limping or see that the foot is at an odd angle. If you notice these signs your pet may have broken a bone. Muzzle your pet and look for any bleeding. Do not try to do anything to the injured area. Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Heatstroke

If you notice that your pet has a high body temperature, is breathing rapidly or seems to be labored in breathing, has collapsed or is vomiting. A combination of or all of these signs may mean that your pet is suffering from heatstroke. You want to try to cool down your pet without getting your pet too cold. Put your pet into a cool tub, or hose them down with cool water. You may also put towels soaked in cool water over your pet’s body. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible after cooling your pet.

Poison ingestion

Your pet may be salivating, having diarrhea, vomiting, in pain or having convulsions. You need to find what your pet has eaten and take your pet and the poison to the veterinarian immediately.

Seizures
If you pet is convulsing, having spasms or jerking, salivating, loss of stool or urine may also occur; your pet may be having seizures. Remove any harmful objects from around your pet that may harm your pet if your pet hits up against the object. Do not try to restrain your pet in any way. Time how long the seizure lasts and write it down. Call the veterinarian right away.

Vomiting
Withhold food for 12 to 24 hours. Give your pet ice cubes for two hours after the vomiting stops. Slowly increase the amount of food and water you give your pet. Call the veterinarian for any instructions or to have your pet seen by the veterinarian.

Whenever your pet is sick or injured, your veterinarian is the best source of advice. Keep your veterinarian phone number in the pet first aid kit, and near the phone, or where you keep all your other important phone numbers. It is important to remember that when injured or sick a pet may act differently than normal. Use caution when approaching any animal, even one you know and love; when they are injured or sick. Being prepared by knowing what to do, and by keeping a pet first aid kit fully stocked at all times is the best thing you can do for your pets.

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40 Pound Weighted Vest

Even before they began packing the van, the children were all arguing and creating drama. Mom knew it was going to be a long ride, and that's why she was sure to pack the games, some books, puzzle books and plenty of movies for the DVD player in the back of the vehicle. She was grateful that the rental agency offered the vans with amenities such as a Passenger DVD player, separate controls for the radio, thermostat and was equipped with two rear sliding doors. She thought she was all prepared for the trip, until the little one got sick.

You can do everything possible to make sure you are going to have a comfortable trip when traveling with children, but do we ever expect for any of them to get sick? I'm sure we don't and this is why it's necessary for you to pack lightly with only the necessary items, but also pack heavily on medical emergency items. It's never enough band-aids, peroxide, rubbing alcohol or even Vaseline in stock when you are traveling. Of course we must have the first aid kit handy, but there are a few things that may also be very essential to having a calm, relaxing, and drama-free trip. And this will also help in preventing you from making unnecessary stops at convenient stores to purchase these items. Just think if the children were playing in the back, and we all know how children can make a situation/emergency within the blink of an eye, right..? Right. Now, they're in the back, just passing licks, and then one gets a bloody nose; If you have a brown paper bag handy, you can use this to help stop the bleeding. Take a small piece of the bag, roll/fold and place between the top lip and gum, and have the child to hold their head back. This usually works within minutes, but if the bleeding persists, or the nose begins to swell, someone has been hitting a bit too hard, and you may need to seek professional medical attention-and a note: Go back for disciplinary actions after everyone is safe and sound. (Smile)

I'm not saying to keep brown bags from every store you stop at, but there are some advantages to keeping helpful items around for unexpected emergencies. There are many everyday items that can be very helpful in a variety of ways. Another instance, say one of the children gets a paper cut, and you don't have any band-aids, you can use ordinary tape and a piece of napkin. I know this may sound like what many of us call « ghetto » (be gentle, now)…but it helps when you have nothing, and don't want your little one bleeding all over the place.

I'm sure that we all take our own necessary precautions, and have our planning down to a 'tee' when it comes to traveling with children, but we must keep in special mind that accidents do happen, and it wouldn't be a fun trip if you had to end up in the hospital for three hours for something simple like a finger that was stuck in the window….WOW!

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Valeo WV40 40 Pound