to your weird food, Zoe. I think we can stash these for now.”
Gran is pulling a pitcher out of the refrigerator. “Homemade iced pomegranate white tea,” she says, proudly holding it up for me to see. “Your mom told me it was your favorite. It wasn’t much harder to make than that instant lemonade I usually mix up.”
I beam at my grandmother. I love that my mom was thinking of me, and I love that Gran made the tea. The three of us get the table ready for lunch. Maggie pulls out the plates, I prepare the quinoa, and Gran pours our healthy drinks. And for the first time in a long while, I feel we aren’t just acting like a family. We really are one.
Prevent Antifreeze Poisoning
By J.J. MACKENZIE, D.V.M.
Antifreeze poisoning is a serious medical emergency. It requires quick thinking and immediate medical help. Veterinarians make a diagnosis of antifreeze poisoning using blood and urine tests. Unfortunately, those tests may come back as a false negative if the animal’s kidneys are already failing. The only chance for survival is to begin treatment as soon as possible after the animal has ingested the antifreeze. If kidney failure has begun, most animals will not survive. Preventing antifreeze poisoning should be the concern of every pet owner and animal lover.
How and Where to Keep Antifreeze
Keep antifreeze, all household products, and chemicals capped tightly in their original containers. Never pour them into food storage bottles or jars. Small children are curious and pets have been known to chew through containers to get to the sweet-tasting antifreeze. Protect childrenand animals by keeping antifreeze on a high shelf in the garage or in a locked cabinet.
Proper Disposal
Used antifreeze should be taken to a service station for disposal. It should never be poured on the ground.
Proper Cleanup of Spills
Check driveways and garage floors for drips and puddles that may have leaked from cars. If antifreeze is found, alert an adult. Small children and pets must be kept away until the spill is cleared. Antifreeze can be cleaned up by sprinkling cat litter, sand, or other absorbent material directly on the spill. Once fully absorbed, protective gloves should be worn and the material scooped into a plastic bag. The bag is then sealed and disposed of. Next, the spill should be scrubbed with a stiff brush and warm, soapy water. Hose the soapy water into the lawn and not the storm drain. The soil will filter the remaining toxins before they reach groundwater.
If an antifreeze poisoning is suspected:
–in a person, immediately call the tollfreePoison Help line (1-800-222-1222) . This number will connect to your local poison center.
–in a pet, call your veterinarian immediately.
What can you do to increase antifreeze poisoning awareness?
Just like the Vet Volunteers, you can organize to get the word out. With your classmates, teammates, or fellow scouts, take part in community awareness events like health fairs, environmental events, and community service days. Daycare centers, nursery schools, wildlife centers, pet stores, and veterinarian offices may be interested in your poison control information.
Make posters.
Use art or photos to catch the public’s eye and draw attention to your antifreeze poisoning information.
Prepare handouts.
List poison control facts. Provide your local poison control phone numbers for people and animals.
Consider speaking on a student informational panel.
Brush up on your facts and be prepared to answer questions.
More information on preventing antifreeze poisoning can be found at:
http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/index.html
United States Department of Health & Human Services
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/antifreeze.html
Humane Society
http://www.aspca.org/
The ASPCA has many articles relating to antifreeze poisoning in pets.
Turn the page to read a sample of another book
in the Vet Volunteer series…
New Beginnings
Chapter One
T he tabby cat
Gran is pulling a pitcher out of the refrigerator. “Homemade iced pomegranate white tea,” she says, proudly holding it up for me to see. “Your mom told me it was your favorite. It wasn’t much harder to make than that instant lemonade I usually mix up.”
I beam at my grandmother. I love that my mom was thinking of me, and I love that Gran made the tea. The three of us get the table ready for lunch. Maggie pulls out the plates, I prepare the quinoa, and Gran pours our healthy drinks. And for the first time in a long while, I feel we aren’t just acting like a family. We really are one.
Prevent Antifreeze Poisoning
By J.J. MACKENZIE, D.V.M.
Antifreeze poisoning is a serious medical emergency. It requires quick thinking and immediate medical help. Veterinarians make a diagnosis of antifreeze poisoning using blood and urine tests. Unfortunately, those tests may come back as a false negative if the animal’s kidneys are already failing. The only chance for survival is to begin treatment as soon as possible after the animal has ingested the antifreeze. If kidney failure has begun, most animals will not survive. Preventing antifreeze poisoning should be the concern of every pet owner and animal lover.
How and Where to Keep Antifreeze
Keep antifreeze, all household products, and chemicals capped tightly in their original containers. Never pour them into food storage bottles or jars. Small children are curious and pets have been known to chew through containers to get to the sweet-tasting antifreeze. Protect childrenand animals by keeping antifreeze on a high shelf in the garage or in a locked cabinet.
Proper Disposal
Used antifreeze should be taken to a service station for disposal. It should never be poured on the ground.
Proper Cleanup of Spills
Check driveways and garage floors for drips and puddles that may have leaked from cars. If antifreeze is found, alert an adult. Small children and pets must be kept away until the spill is cleared. Antifreeze can be cleaned up by sprinkling cat litter, sand, or other absorbent material directly on the spill. Once fully absorbed, protective gloves should be worn and the material scooped into a plastic bag. The bag is then sealed and disposed of. Next, the spill should be scrubbed with a stiff brush and warm, soapy water. Hose the soapy water into the lawn and not the storm drain. The soil will filter the remaining toxins before they reach groundwater.
If an antifreeze poisoning is suspected:
–in a person, immediately call the tollfreePoison Help line (1-800-222-1222) . This number will connect to your local poison center.
–in a pet, call your veterinarian immediately.
What can you do to increase antifreeze poisoning awareness?
Just like the Vet Volunteers, you can organize to get the word out. With your classmates, teammates, or fellow scouts, take part in community awareness events like health fairs, environmental events, and community service days. Daycare centers, nursery schools, wildlife centers, pet stores, and veterinarian offices may be interested in your poison control information.
Make posters.
Use art or photos to catch the public’s eye and draw attention to your antifreeze poisoning information.
Prepare handouts.
List poison control facts. Provide your local poison control phone numbers for people and animals.
Consider speaking on a student informational panel.
Brush up on your facts and be prepared to answer questions.
More information on preventing antifreeze poisoning can be found at:
http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/index.html
United States Department of Health & Human Services
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/antifreeze.html
Humane Society
http://www.aspca.org/
The ASPCA has many articles relating to antifreeze poisoning in pets.
Turn the page to read a sample of another book
in the Vet Volunteer series…
New Beginnings
Chapter One
T he tabby cat
Similar Books
