The travel season is upon this year, in spite of the superior expenditure of fuel, and us a record number of people will be on the move. Travelers will be bearing out for vacations at resorts and parks or at pleasant or healthy places, where they can just calm down and get away from it all for a while. If you're traveling this winter season, you know it's not all about sun, sand and umbrella drinks. The crowded airports and terminals can take a toll on your understanding and your immune system. Because winter travel takes place at the height of cold and flue season, to help reduce your chances of catching a bug on your commute, stay well hydrated, rested and stock up on vitamins.
If your travel facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important travel information slip by you.
Before hitting the open road, there are certain safety precautions you need to take to make sure your trip will be a happy, healthy and safe one. Here are some travel safety tips. Most people only take their cars in for a mechanical check-up before a lengthy drive, but it's just as important to make sure you car is in the best condition possible for trips around town, particularly in the wintertime.
Regular safeguarding and prompt attention to a car's troubling behavior can keep you moving no matter where you may be headed. Most people only take their cars in for a mechanical check-up before a lengthy drive, but it's just as important to make sure you car is in the best condition possible for trips around town, particularly in the wintertime.
Standard maintenance and prompt attention to a car's disconcerting behavior can keep you moving no matter where you may be headed. Not only is it important to have a useable auxiliary tire, but the proper tools to change that auxiliary. If you don't think you can handle the job yourself, a membership in an automobile club is essential. If your health benefits do not cover out-of-network services or if you take a prescription drug, you may want to consider purchasing a short-term supplemental plan to cover these essentials at your holiday destination. If you're traveling with children, take a close look at their health benefits coverage. Since kids have developing immune systems and may be more likely to get sick, ensure they are covered for medical care and prescription drugs under your current health benefits. Below is a travel checklist to review before packing your child's bags. Ask your pediatrician to make a referral for a pediatrician at your travel destination.
Find the name and location of a children's hospital at your destination, print directions and carry them with you. Bring a list of your child's health history including any allergies and current medications. Though rumored to be expensive, especially on a fixed income, there are many plans that enable you to purchase the phone and a certain number of minutes, all for one low prices. Make sure you keep your phone charged and have an adapter for your car's cigarette lighter that will allow you an alternate source of power for your phone, should the battery die. Nobody can predict or prevent breakdowns all the time, but with proper continuation, you will be able to cut those chances significantly.
Now you can understand why there's a growing interest in travel. When people start looking for more information about happy, healthy and safe travel, you'll be in a position to meet their needs.
Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting our pets and develops when the bacteria in the mouth mix with the mucin in the saliva and forms a white, sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque is not removed on a daily basis either by brushing or by mechanical means, such as dental chews, the bacteria adds minerals from the saliva and forms a hard substance called tartar.
The tartar is not easily removed once deposited on the tooth. The bacteria then continues to spread, creating by-products and toxins that began to irritate the gum and slowly works its way between the gum and the tooth. The by-products then begin to eat away at the bony structure holding the tooth in the socket, loosening the tooth and infecting the gum and tissue. The bacteria can now enter the blood stream, showering the body and causing infections in the heart valves, kidneys and other major organs.
Signs of dental disease can include excessive drooling, dropping food when eating, eating on one side of mouth, pain when eating or a foul odor coming from the mouth. Some dogs do not exhibit any outward signs until the disease is well advanced.
What can you do to help keep your pet's mouth healthy?
1. Brush your pet's teeth. It is best to begin getting your pet used to brushing when they are still young. Start by lifting the lips and giving a treat when they oblige. Put toothpaste designed for pets on your finger and rub it on their teeth. As you and your pet progress, you can start using a toothbrush. Do not use human toothpaste. It has fluoride in it that can be toxic when swallowed. I have yet to teach a pet to rinse and spit. In older pets, a dental exam should be done before you start to brush. If there is already some dental disease present, fractured teeth or exposed nerves, the brushing will be very painful for the pet.
2. Use dental chews that are designed to help remove the plaque. CET chew, Greenies and Enzadent chews are examples of chews made to remove the plaque and tartar. Do not use real bones, cow hooves or other really hard products. These can result in fracturing the teeth.
3. There are special diets available that are also designed to promote dental health. Ask your veterinarian which one they recommend.
4. Bring your pet in for an annual dental exam by your veterinarian. If there is significant amount of tartar visible on the teeth, there is a good amount beneath the gum-line not visible. It may be time for a professional prophylaxis by your veterinarian. Once the teeth are cleaned, it is then up to you to keep them that way.
What is involved in a dental prophylaxis?
The pet prophylaxis and a human prophylaxis have many commonalities. The main difference is a thorough pet prophylaxis involves general anesthesia. The anesthesia used in veterinary medicine today is a lot safer and can be done on older pets.
Pre-anesthetic blood work is recommended to screen for underlying diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
An intra-venous catheter is inserted for administration of fluids and medications.
The pet is then intubated with an endotracheal tube and maintained on gas anesthetic and oxygen. A cuff on the tube is inflated to keep fluids from the mouth from entering the lungs and to maintain the proper flow of anesthetic and oxygen.
A pulse oximeter is used to monitor the oxygen saturation, heart rate and breathing.
Radiographs are then taken to view the roots for any problems that cannot be seen on visual inspection. The mouth is also examined closely for any tumors or other defects.
The teeth are then cleaned with an ultrasound dental scaler. A broad tip is used to get the bulk of the tartar off the main part of the tooth. A very thin tip is used to go beneath the gum and clean what can not be seen.
A periodontal probe is then inserted around the tooth checking for any sub-gingival pockets that may need further treatment with antibiotic gel.
Teeth with significant disease are extracted. If desired, some teeth can be saved with extensive salvage techniques such as root planing, root canals and crowns. Veterinary dentists with specialized training can perform these procedures if the owner desires. Because of the cost and after care needed for these procedures, the tooth is sometimes extracted. Pets with significant amount of dental disease do much better without the diseased teeth than with them.
The main point is to start preventative maintenance earlier to avoid the extractions.
Once the teeth are scaled and the diseased teeth are treated, the tooth surface is then polished, just like human dentistries. The polishing also makes a smooth surface to slow down the plaque from sticking to the teeth.
The teeth are then treated with fluoride to help strengthen the enamel.
The veterinarian will then recommend to apply Oravet to the teeth. Oravet also coats the tooth and keeps plaque from sticking to the tooth. The Oravet must then be applied on a weekly basis by the owner for it to be effective.
Antibiotics are also given and sent home to help with the infection. Depending on the amount of dental work performed, pain medication may also be given and sent home.
Once home, it is up to the owner to take care of the teeth to keep them healthy.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and develop a dental health plan for your pet. A healthy mouth makes for a healthy and happy pet.
Both Hans Hasselfors & Debra Garrison are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Hans Hasselfors has sinced written about articles on various topics from Healthy Diet, Acne Treatment and Retirement. About the Author: Hans Hasselfors is the founder of . You may find varied. Hans Hasselfors's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
Debra Garrison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cat Health Problems, Travel and Leisure. Dr. Debra Garrison is a veterinarian and owns a small animal hospital in Spring, Texas. Her goal is to promote the bond between pets, their owners and their veterinarians,the other family doctor. Visit her clinic website at. Debra Garrison's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.