No matter how well cared for your bunny is, there will be times when your rabbit gets ill. Rabbit illnesses can range from very minor such as ear mites (easily curable with the right treatment) to downright serious such as heat stroke. A properly stocked bunny first aid kit will ensure you are well prepared to deal with those minor illnesses/injuries.

To store your kit, you can buy a ‘human’ first aid box but what I find just as good (actually I use these for sewing kits, kids craft kits etc as well) is a fishing tackle box or something similar which you can get cheaply at your local hardware store. Even a large lunchbox or Tupperware container with a lid would work too.

Here’s what we recommend as the basics:

Thermometer (not glass) and lubricant. Normal rectal temperature range is around 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit (37-39 degrees Celsius) Stethoscope for listening to your bun’s heart and chest. Normal heart beat range is around 130-325 beats per minute with approx 220 as average. Cotton swabs and cotton balls Saline eye wash (to rinse foreign bodies from eyes) Gauze bandages and sterile cotton pads for dressing wounds Styptic powder or cornstarch (cornflour) for stopping nails from bleeding Betadine for cleaning and disinfecting wounds A towel or small blanket for steadying your bunny if you need to hold him. or for stopping blood flow. Plastic syringes (without the needles) for administering medicine or feeding your sick rabbit. Small amount of mineral based oil like olive or cooking oil for killing ear mites Small jars of baby food eg: pureed pumpkin for rabbits that aren’t feeding properly. Use the plastic syringes to feed your bun. (NB: ensure the food has no added salt or onions. Very plain is best) Small tube of Petromalt (to help dissolve hairballs) Small sharp scissors Teeth trimmers Nail clippers Small card with phone number for your usual vet and phone number for your emergency vet. (Please don’t forget this one – it may be the thing that saves your bunny’s life one day)

You can always add to this list, but having these basics will get you started for now. If you do want to include ointments recommended by your vet then check the expiry date regularly. Your first aid kit will help you with small bumps and bruises however always keep an eye out for any general signs of illness. It is important to note any changes to your bunny’s behaviour and/or appearance as this may be a sign that all is not well. You know your bunny best! Once ill they can go downhill rapidly so don’t hesitate to ring your vet any time of the day or night.

A major problem for all Above Ground pool owners every year is Green Water. The onset of Cloudy or Green water can take the fun out of the summer swimming time very quickly. All you know is that just days ago when you first filled your pool, the water was crystal clear and clean, but now you can barley see the bottom as the water has changed to a nice Avocado Green. What do you do? Yes you could dump it all out and start over, but depending on the size of the pool, this can be quite costly as water is not cheap. The answer is in an ounce of prevention. Understanding the maintenance of the water is essential to clear water all summer long, the following are the things you must control on a regular schedule in order to have Clear, Clean Above Ground swimming water in your pools.

Step # 1: Test the Water Weekly:

You must maintain the correct balance of chemicals in your pool water, mainly PH balance and Chlorine levels. This can easily be accomplished with an inexpensive Pool Test kit. Kits with test strips or tablets are the easiest to use and offer the fastest way to get readings on your water.

PH balance is the measure of how acidic or alkaline your water. A PH number below 7.0 indicates your water is acidic. Above 7.0 says your water is alkaline based. Since your eyes hold a PH level of between 7.2-7.3, that is the number you are after when it comes to the PH. That level would be perfect, but if not perfect, any level between 7.0 and 7.5 should be just fine. Pool water which is too acidic will lead to burning eyes, dry skin and lost of color to that favorite bathing suit of yours. Acidic water will also put a strain on the durability of the pool as it slowly eats it away. High alkaline readings will also lead to burning eyes and cloud the water like a milk shake. Balance the water, and you are well on your way to clear swimming.

Chlorine is also a balancing act. Too much and your eyes are still burning, too little and the little Green plants we call Algae are sure to be present. Remember, Chlorine is a sterilizer and many have decided that it is a needed element to the pool, while others are choosing to do without as it has been linked to carcinogens. If you choose to use it, try to maintain a measured level of only 1.0 to 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Any Algae will die with concentrations as low as 0.05 ppm, so even at very low levels, if will insure the non-green affect.

Step # 2: Insure your Filter Pump is Adequate and in Working Condition

Constant filtration is a must. It makes since that the little floaties which enter your swimming pool from kids, falling debris, and bacteria must be removed in order for the water to remain clean and clear. Your filter pump must be maintained as a Priority. Check to insure that you have the right pump for moving at least the equivalent 100% of the water through the filter every 4-5 hours. This is probably the normal time that the pool will be in operation. Insure that all of the hose attachments are snug and without leakage. A little lubricant like Vaseline(TM) always helps to insure a long lfe for your hoses right at the connection points. Make sure you have plenty of filter material on hand as you should change it out every 2 weeks, depending on how often the kids and you are in the Above Ground Swimming Pool. Always have your filter pump plugged into a GFCI receptacle for your own safety and for the life of this unit. An ounce of prevention, remember.

Step # 3: Invest in a Pool Cover

It is amazing how many people make the investment in their Above Ground Swimming Pools and forget the key element in its cleanliness-Get a Cover! The pool cover will absolutely save you hours upon hours of time in your cleaning regimen. Most of the falling and blown debris you find in your pool enters while you are not in it. It’s just how it is. By having the proper size cover attached anytime the pool is not being used for swimming, will reduce the amount of debris in the pool, thus helping your pump filter system out of having to work at max capacity everyday.

Pay attention to 3 items to insure Clean not Green Above Ground Swimming Pool Water:

1) Take care of the water by testing and keeping PH and Chlorine levels balanced

2) Take care of your filter pump with a little maintenance so it works the way it was intended to and removes all of the pools floaties and debris

3) Invest in a good pool cover unless you live in a bubble

Remember. Your Summer Swimming Activities are depending on your to maintain Crystal Clear water as no one wants to splash in a bowl of Split Pea Soup. Enjoy the summer in clear water!

LASIK eye surgery is becoming more advanced and more affordable. More and more people in the United States are having LASIK and it has quickly become one of the most popular forms of vision correction. LASIK is not for everyone; before you decide to go through with LASIK surgery you should learn more about it and what it has to offer you.

As you probably already know, LASIK is Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. The LASIK procedure involves the use of an ultraviolet laser to reshape your cornea. It does this by vaporizing small amounts of the cornea’s tissue. LASIK surgery is effective in treating nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism, and farsightedness (hyperopia).

Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery an ophthalmologist will evaluate your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK. The eye surgeon will map out your corneas to determine how to shape them. The health of your eyes is evaluated to determine if LASIK is viable; if any problems are found it could preclude you from having LASIK surgery.

LASIK is an outpatient procedure; downtime for recovery is minimal. Most people are able to see clearly without their glasses or contacts immediately following the surgery. There are a number of side effects including problems with night vision and sensitivity to light.

You can learn more about LASIK vision correction by visiting the website LasikEssentials.com.

If laser eye surgery is on your schedule, then getting some tips on recovering after your surgery is a must. This article will look at some of the basics in ensuring a quick and smooth recovery from your surgery.

First things first, the procedure itself doesn’t take long therefore you will be walking in and walking out the same day. When coming out afterward have someone else drive you home, as you won’t be up to driving just yet. Also try and wear a good pair of sunglasses, it’s likely that your eyes will still be sensitive to the light, so try and protect them.

If you are getting laser eye surgery for both eyes, it will most likely benefit you to have someone stay with you for the first few days afterward to help you with anything.

The first 48 hours will be a period while your eyes are settling down, therefore try and rest your eyes as much as possible. No reading, working on computer, watching TV etc as they will strain your eyes too much. In the early stages your eyes may be irritable but it is very important not to rub or touch them. Your doctor will give you advice if this happens and provide any medication.

Also playing sports will need to be avoided for about a month, talk to your doctor about this and they will be able to give you advice on when you can start playing again.

Ensure while taking a bath or shower to keep the water and any soap out of your eyes to prevent any damage to them. Make up and aftershave/ perfume should be avoided so that the dust or fumes don’t get in your eyes.

A good product to use after laser eye surgery is an eye mask which blocks out sunlight, so it is great for taking the strain off your eyes.

Your doctor will want to see you for your follow up exam, which is extremely important as they will examine your eyes to ensure the surgery was a success and that no side effects have occurred.

All going well you should hopefully be able to go back to work after about 2-3 days, but every person is different, so seek advice from your doctor about this.

Laser eye surgery is a life changing procedure so make sure you take care in the recovery process to ensure your eyes are taken care of.

Are you tired of people asking you whether you are sick or if you stayed up late last night? Have you been mistaken for a raccoon or panda? Have you looked in the mirror and got scared because you thought you were looking at a zombie? Maybe it’s time for a new dark under eye treatment.

Under eye circles can definitely be a problem. Dark under eye treatment may be required along with proper eating habits and a healthy lifestyle to get rid of those unsightly shadows beneath your eyes.

A wide variety of products that promise to get rid of under eye circles are out in the market. Different creams and oils that can be applied to dark under eyes with the same promise of lightening the skin and making you look younger can make choosing a brand difficult and confusing.

One thing to look at is the quality of the product. Read the label for the ingredients used and find out for yourself whether these ingredients have properties that can truly minimize the appearance of under eye circles. A lot of skin care products are just scams, fooling people into buying their products that are not only ineffective, but expensive as well.

The dark under eye treatment you will be using should also be reasonably priced. After all, you want to make sure you can afford buying several bottles of creams to make sure that dark circles are banished for good.

Effective eye creams are those that contain ingredients known to target and fix the cause of dark under eye circles. Cynergy TK is a breakthrough in skin care technology, as it promotes production of collagen and elastin. Aging slows down the production of these two important substances and UV rays caused by sun exposure can cause collagen and elastin breakdown. Cynergy TK stimulates the body’s natural ability to produce these two substances to prevent wrinkles and dark under eye circles.

Nano-lipobelle H-EQ10, a form of CoQ10, is an antioxidant that can be applied to the skin. Antioxidants are usually ineffective when used topically but nano-lipobelle H-EQ10 is able to penetrate the skin deeply to fight off free radicals circulating in the body.

Of course, even when you use products for dark under eye treatment, it is important to nourish your body by eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. Live a life free from unhealthy habits like smoking and find effective ways to handle your stress. That way, it’s goodbye to raccoon-eyes forever.

The holidays are filled with anticipation of gifts and new toys. When making decisions for selecting new toys, parents need to tell Santa and loved ones to pick eye-safe and age appropriate toys for children.

“Many times an accident can happen when a toy is not age or developmentally appropriate,” said Cary M. Silverman, M.D. Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20 in East Hanover, “We want to avoid eye injuries by suggesting to parents that they be careful in selecting toys with this in mind.”

So, in general, what toys should parents avoid? Toys with pointed, sharp or rough edges or pieces. Blocks are great for almost any age as long as corners and edges are blunted to reduce the risk of eye injury. Also, to avoid eye injuries, beware of long-handled toys, like mops, brooms, pony sticks and rakes. Check to make sure that they have rounded handles and watch closely children under 2 with such toys.

Be careful to avoid toys that may be age appropriate for an older child but could be dangerous for a younger child. Always supervise children in situations when they might share an inappropriate toy with a younger sibling.

Avoid slingshots, dart guns and arrows for children under 6. “The best suggestion is to avoid these toys completely, especially if you have younger children in the house,” said Dr. Silverman. “Second best suggestion is to supervise any child with these toys – they have the potential to be harmful.”

Great toys for children are those that stimulate visual development, improve hand-eye coordination and demonstrate spatial relationships.

Toys for children under age 2 include: brightly colored mobiles, stuffed animals, activity gyms, blocks, balls, stacking and nesting toys, buckets and measuring cups, puzzles, shape sorters, and musical toys. Appropriate and eye-friendly toys for children over age 2 include: child-sized household items like brooms, vacuums, rakes, lawn mowers, refrigerator and stove sets and outside toys like sandboxes, kiddie pools, riding toys and backyard gyms and swings. Magnetic letters, stringing beads, toy cash registers are great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Some toys are simply not safe and may be recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For a list of toy recalls, call (800) 638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov.