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Show HILLTOP TIMES 12 TIMES July 8, 2010 HEAT From page 9 Heat stroke Heat stroke occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It is highly important that you seek out immediate medical attention at this stage because heat stroke can lead to brain damage, organ failure and even death. "This is a medical emergency," Martin stressed. "It's important to recognize the signs. Irritability, cramping and hyperventilation can quickly evolve to seizures, coma and death." It's important to get a heat stroke victim out of the heat as quickly as possible. "Loosen restrictive clothing and place ice packs under their armpits and groin," Martin said. "Get medical assistance immediately." The Mayo Clinic also stresses that heat stroke should not be self-treated. Medical facilities are better equipped to cool your body down using cold water, evaporation cooling techniques and more. Prevention If at all possible, the best defense is to try and prevent heat-related illness from ever occurring. The National Center for Environmental Health's Health Studies Branch put together several prevention tips: • Never leave anyone — especially children - in a closed, parked vehicle, even with the windows rolled down. » Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait untii you're thirsty to drink. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or those that contain high amounts of sugar. Also try to avoid very cold drinks as they may cause stomach cramps. • Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. • Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned location is more effective than an electric fan when temperatures reach the high 90s. • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. • Try to limit your outdoor activity to "All animals should have access to cool water and lots of it at all times and shady areas to rest. For those breeds that are thick-coated or have short snouts, consider keeping them (inside in the air conditioning.)" MELANIE SWARTZ, doctor of veterinary medicine, chief. Hill Veterinary Services and a member of the U.S. Army. the morning and evening hours. • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen of SPF15 or higher is also recommended. Products that say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels are most effective. The risks for pets Not only can we humans get sick from dehydration and extreme heat, but our four-legged friends can as well. It's possible for even healthy pets to suffer from dehydration, sunburn and even heat stroke. "All animals should have access to cool water and lots of it at all times and shady areas to rest," said Melanie Swartz, doctor of veterinary medicine, chief, Hill Veterinary Services and a member of the U.S. Army. "For those breeds that are thick-coated or have short snouts, consider keeping them (inside in the air conditioning.)" Warning signs If you notice your pet panting uncontrollably and being excessively lethargic, it could be suffering from dehydration or heat stroke. Other symptoms can include drooling, stupor, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea, and an elevated body temperature. If your pet is exhibiting these symptoms, you should immediately move it to a cool, air-conditioned after falling out of a high-rise r window. "It is completely preventable by making sure the windows have secure screens that prevent a cat from falling out accidentally," Swartz said. Prevention t space and take it to the nearest emergency vet clinic, Swartz advised. Sunburn Despite their constant covering of fur, animals are still susceptible to sunburn. Animal sunburn looks just like people sunburn and the burned area can even blister or peel. "Cats, especially those with white noses and ears, can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, or skin cancer," Swartz warns. Pet owners should also note that hot asphalt can lead to painful burns on a pet's paw pads. It's best to keep walks to a minimum when it's hot outside or try to walk your pet during the morning or evening hours. You might even consider trying out a new path that has grass instead of asphalt or concrete. Cooling off It's important to allow your pet a place to cool off, but it's just as important to remember that places like the swimming pool and open windows have risks of their own. "Never leave a pet unattended by a pool," Swartz warned. "They are like small children that way. No matter how many times your dog has gotten out of the pool just fine, it only takes a few minutes for a dog to drown." Cats are also susceptible to what is called "High-Rise Syndrome," which is a term for the trauma a cat sustains *75th Public Affairs ^Community Relations chief H 'ill AFB has recently received free tickets to The Top of .Utah Military Affairs Committee/Hill Appreciation Night at the |Ogden Raptors on Tuesday, July 27, ;at 7 p.m. The Raptors will be playing £he Missoula Osprey. £ This is an annual event that is graciously offered to Team Hill by ;the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee, or MAC, and the Ogden Raptors organization to show their support for all the members of Team Tis the season [\ Pet owners should also be aware of* other dangers presented by the warm,' summer months. Fleas, ticks and mos-; quitoes all present risks to your pet, so make sure you consult your vet about* products to help prevent disease and r infestation, like Frontline or Advantix. "Also, the mosquitoes are plentiful this year and carry heartworm disease and West Nile virus," Swartz said. "AH dogs should be tested annually for heartworm disease and receive heart"-T worm preventative monthly." "Horses should receive the West % Nile virus vaccine annually as they are susceptible to this disease," she added. "Small pets like cats or dogs ..> rarely get West Nile virus." .** As the great Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention \ is worth a pound of cure." If you and ' • your family — pets included — stay ••:_ cool, keep hydrated and stay on the lookout for symptoms of heat-related-i illness, this summer is sure to be a . blast, hot weather and all. For more information on heat-re- 1 lated illness please contact the base v clinic at (801) 728-2600 or go to www. .mayoclinic.com. ONLINE EDUCATION AT ITS Dgden Raptor tickets available for Hill Appreciation Night, July 27 IBY VALERIE BURKE Other tips from the ASPCA for preventing overheating are: ; * • Give your dog a lightweight summer haircut. Shave down to!a one-inch length, but never to the. skin so that your dog still has protec- \ tion from the sun. • Brush your cat often. * Be sure that any sunscreen or -i insect repellant you use on your pets is labeled specifically for animals. oar success ts our mission, Hill and their families. This is a great family event and 75th Public Affairs Community Relations encourages everyone who is available to attend and support the communities who have unwaveringly supported Hill Air Force Base throughout the years. The 75th PA shop encourages you to appoint someone to be your organization's representative, pick up blocks and distribute tickets to your team members from the Public Affairs Building 180, Room 109. Join together to show the MAC and the Raptors that Team Hill appreciates their salute. 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