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(BPT) – Even though you try to be a good “dog parent,” chances are you may not think of everything when it comes to your furry best friend’s well-being. But if you notice that your dog’s breath is unpleasant, it may be time to up your doggy care game. Bad breath can be a sign of poor dental health, which in turn can have a negative impact on your dog’s digestive system, kidneys, liver and heart.

Taking care of your dog’s health is important, so it may be a good idea to spend more time focused on your four-legged pal’s mouth, helping you avoid potential problems down the road.

1. Check your dog’s mouth

While you may take your dog in for periodic professional brushing – which is a great idea – frequent checks and brushing at home can help you notice problems earlier. While you’re brushing, look for problem signs, such as:

• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Inflamed gums
• Tumors in gums
• Cysts under tongue
• Loose teeth
• Plaque and tartar build-up (yellowish brown coating around gum and teeth)

If you spot any of these issues, make an appointment with your vet.

2. Dental care

Any dog can become accustomed to brushing if you’re calm and gentle – and reward your pup with a dental chew that’s good for teeth, like The Missing Link’s Smartmouth dental chews. Your vet can demonstrate specific brushing techniques.

Start gradually, building up to 3-4 times per week.

• Kneel or sit in front of your dog. When your dog is relaxed, gently open their mouth, then touch their teeth and gums. Start with short sessions and reward good behavior with a dental chew.
• Pick a toothbrush designed for dogs, with softer bristles – some even fit on your finger for easy use. You’ll need toothpaste made for dogs, as human toothpaste can be harmful to your dog.
• When you think your pooch is ready, let them taste a little toothpaste first. If they respond negatively, try a different flavor. Brushing will be easier if it seems like a treat!

3. Diet

Unfortunately, most commercial dog foods don’t necessarily promote your dog’s dental health, and could be contributing to dental plaque and stinky breath. Since no single dog food provides all the nutrients your dog needs to live their best life, consult your vet for recommendations to boost overall health and oral health, especially depending on your dog’s breed, age and health condition. Dogs can benefit greatly from additional supplements that promote health from the inside out, fresh food and/or prescription dog food.

4. Dental chews

The Missing Link’s Smartmouth dental chews are an easy and yummy way to clean your dog’s teeth. Dental chews aren’t a replacement for home brushing, but a great way to help maintain the good work you’ve started. Their unique ridges clean teeth, and reduce plaque and tartar while freshening breath. Smartmouth dental chews also deliver a daily vitamin supplement to help support healthy gums, healthy skin, shiny coat, better mobility and overall health and wellness. While you’re checking off that list of all you do for your dog, you can also check off “daily superfood vitamin supplement,” too – all while your dog just thinks they’re getting a tasty treat.

By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure your dog lives healthier and prevent painful oral infections. And no more dog breath!

As of 4 PM today, there are 787 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 5 deaths in Michigan. St. Clair County remains at seven (7) confirmed cases. St. Clair County Health Department is monitoring 52 people under investigation, along with 73 of their contacts.

Southeast Michigan’s hospitals and public health departments offered the following guidelines and information about COVID-19 screening and healthcare services via a press release Saturday afternoon:

If you are feeling sick please stay at home and call your primary care doctor or local hospital hotline (see list below)

If you have a fever and a cough AND are experiencing any of the following go immediately to the emergency department or call 911 for EMS:

• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Chest pain

If you have a cough and no fever or are concerned that you may have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19:

• Contact your primary care physician by phone (don’t go unannounced) or
• Seek a telemedicine evaluation or
• Visit an urgent care center or
• Contact a regional hotline or
• Visit a drive-through screening site

If you have a cough WITHOUT difficulty breathing AND no chronic medical conditions*

• Drink fluids
• Take over the counter remedies for fever and mild discomfort (e.g., Tylenol)
• Stay at home and try and stay at least six feet away from others without symptoms

*Chronic medical conditions include: diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive  pulmonary disease, cancer or heart disease.   

It is also important to note that hospital Emergency Rooms are still open for emergency medical care, but for all other ambulatory care or office appointments, please call the hospital to get up-to-date information on hours and scheduling an appointment

Here is a current list of Southeast Michigan HOTLINES and COVID-19  SCREENING SITES:

ASCENSION SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN HOSPITALS:

Hotline: 833-981-0738. visit our website: https://healthcare.ascension.org

Triage Areas:

• Ascension Michigan ministries have established COVID-19 triage areas near all emergency departments. This includes: Ascension Macomb-Oakland, Warren Campus, Ascension Macomb-Oakland in Madison Heights, Ascension St. John Hospital, Ascension River District, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Ascension Providence Novi Hospital and Ascension Providence Southfield Hospital.

BEAUMONT HEALTH:

Hotline: 1-800-592-4784, www.beaumont.org/coronavirus

Curbside Screening Sites:    

• Dearborn, Royal Oak, Troy: 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.
• Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne

Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER:

Hotline: 1-888-DMC-3370   5 p.m. to 8 a. m.  Seven days a week

 

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL:

Hotline: 313-874-1055   8 a.m. – 5 p.m.   Monday-Friday

Screening Site: Henry Ford Allegiance Health, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Sunday.

• Location is on the surface lot of One Jackson Square, 100 E. Michigan Avenue in Jackson. One person one vehicle being tested. People are required to call 313.874.7500 to schedule an appointment at the screening site. This is only for people who have symptoms of fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.

 

MCLAREN MACOMB HOSPITAL:

Screening Site:

• Drive-up screening tent 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  for patients already experiencing symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath)
• Do not need appointment but will be seen in the order of arrival www.mclaren.org/coronavirus

 

MICHIGAN MEDICINE:

• Patients can find information at https://www.uofmhealth.org/covid-19-update.

 

ST. JOSEPH MERCY:

Hotline:   1-833-247-1258

Screening Sites:

• St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor
  • Walk-in tents available for drop-in screening, 11 AM – 11 PM,  *Hours subject to change

• St. Mary Mercy Livonia,
  • Drive up screening, 10 AM-6 PM, *Hours subject to change

 

DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

Hotline: 313-876-4000   Open 24/7

Dedicated email address: DHDoutbreak@detroitmi.gov

 

WAYNE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Hotline:  734-287-7870, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

     2-1-1 for information 24-hour, 7-days a week.

 

OAKLAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

Nurse on Call: (800) 848-5533

Helpline (non-medical issues): (248) 858-1000

 

MACOMB COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

COVID-19 Helpline (586) 463-3750    8:30 AM – 5:00 PM 7-days a week .

 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

COVID-19 Informational Hotline   (810) 966-4163 8AM – 4:30 PM

 

This information was provided by the Region 2 South Healthcare Coalition (R2S) and the Region 2 North Health Care Coalition. The coalitions, created and funded by the state and federal government in 2002, work with their health partners to deliver coordinated and effective response strategies during healthcare emergencies – sharing incident and emergency response information.  They also plan and coordinate resources among all the providers in tandem with the state MDHHS – this includes hospital bed tracking and coordination of emergency pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies throughout the region.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the St. Clair County Health Department stated, “We know these are uncertain times and it is important to rely on accurate sources of information. Be aware of the sources you follow, as they may not be valid. When in doubt, use recommendations put in place by the CDC, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the St. Clair County Health Department”.

For further information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus; Michigan.gov/coronavirus; or scchealth.co.  A general St. Clair County COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Friday, (810) 966-4163, 8:00am-4:30pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org. The State of Michigan hotline is 1-888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its March 2020 Employee of the Month, Kimberly Fleming, and its March 2020 Volunteer of the Month, Barb Kreutzer. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Kimberly is a Patient Registrar in the Admitting department and has been with LHMC since 2012. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Kim has a heart of gold.  Recently, a mom with two small children were brought to the Emergency Department via ambulance. Upon discharge, the mom had to wait a very long time in the waiting room for a ride home.  Without hesitation, Kim took the young family down to the cafeteria to buy them all lunch out of her own pocket. She is truly an exemplary employee.”

Barb has been volunteering at the hospital since 2015 in various roles. Barb’s anonymous nomination reads: “Barb has been a volunteer since 2012.  Currently she is a very valued volunteer in the Emergency Room Department, but besides this area, she also has been the Volunteer Board President for the past two years.  While President, she continues to volunteer for all the current fundraisers that the volunteers have. Being both the President of the Volunteer Board, and previously as the Vice President/Fundraising Chair of the Volunteer Board, requires countless hours organizing, planning, and then carrying out meetings, events, and fundraisers.  Barb is a wonderful motivator and cheerleader for the volunteers and staff.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Kimberly and Barb, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

Opening night for the cast of Port Huron Northern’s production of “Big Fish” looked a little different than expected, but the cast still found a way to make it special.

After four months of practice and behind the scenes work, Port Huron Northern was ready to show off their hard work, beginning with opening night on Thursday. However, with the shutdown of the school and large groups, the performances could not happen as planned. Cast member and choreographer, Ben Adair, said the news was devastating to the cast.

Then, the morning of the date of their opening night, Adair had an idea. He asked the performers to join a large video chat which he hoped would serve as a preview of their performance. The actors gathered online from the comfort of their own homes, sang a few of the songs, and then digitally parted ways.

Although no future dates could be confirmed, Adair says he hopes that the cast will be able to perform the show for a live audience before the end of the school year.

For the full story, go to ebw.tv.

St. Clair County is holding at 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of 4 PM today. The Health Department is still monitoring 51 people along with 76 of their contacts. There are 549 confirmed cases in the state of Michigan.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the St. Clair County Health Department stated, “This unparalleled event is continuing to unfold and public health officials are working on all aspects. The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center is fully operational, including partners from Emergency Management, public health, hospitals, law enforcement, Tri-hospital EMS, fire, city, county government and more working to protect the health and wellbeing of our community.” 

 A general COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Fridayfrom 8 AM – 4:30 PM at (810) 966-4163,  or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org.

The State of Michigan hotline is 1- 888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

St. Clair County Community College (SC4)  has cancelled this year’s graduation ceremony, scheduled for May 8. The Center for Disease Control has banned all gatherings of 50 or more people through May 8. The difficult decision adds the SC4 commencement to the growing list of cancellations that put an abrupt end to traditional college life this semester. 

Currently, students are taking their classes online and the campus is closed. The college said in a statement on their dedicated CoronaVirus Update page that they will continue to honor the Class of 2020 graduates with a larger celebration in December that all the year’s graduates can attend. They are also hoping to be able to have a pinning ceremony for graduates of the nursing program in the summer. 

Graduates will still get their degrees mailed to them. A similar story is being told at colleges and universities across the nation as students and their families, along with faculty and administration, are forced to adjust their expectations for the graduation season.