Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '24

Page 6, Martin Downs

Tip of The Tail

Chocolate Toxicity dilator, but dogs aren’t able to metabolize them as well as Treatment will vary on the amount and type ingested,

people do. Although rarely fatal, dogs are more sensitive to as well as current symptoms. Your veterinarian may induce
the chemical’s effects and ingestion can cause illness. The vomiting or implement other treatments to decontaminate
toxic amount varies with the type of chocolate. The darker the effects of theobromine and caffeine. The goal of this is
or more bitter chocolates, including baking chocolates, to mitigate the continued resorption and recirculation of
are the most dangerous. For example, a medium sized dog the chemicals. It may be necessary to provide additional
weighing 50 pounds would only need to eat one ounce of supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy to
baker’s chocolate to potentially show signs of toxicity. stabilize your pet and promote excretion of the chemicals
Despite milk and white chocolate not having as much as well as medications to treat tremors or seizures. All dogs
theobromine per ounce, dogs can still become ill from the ingesting a toxic amount of chocolate should be closely
fat and the sugar content in each. Dogs that have sensitive monitored for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia
stomachs are more susceptible to those ill effects. In severe (or high heart rate) or agitation/restlessness. Most dogs
cases, ingestion of enough milk or white chocolate can even with chocolate toxicity carry a good prognosis if treated
cause pancreatitis. appropriately. If your dog has ingested a potentially toxic
While delicious for us, those yummy chocolate treats can Symptoms of chocolate toxicity vary depending on the amount of chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
cause serious illness in our canine companions. Chocolate amount and type ingested. As mentioned above, many dogs Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. will develop vomiting or diarrhea. However, it is common to dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
Both chemicals can act as a heart stimulant and blood vessel have an increased heart rate or increased thirst and urination focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
as well. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
Library’s annual BookMania! tremors and seizures. These symptoms can take up to several and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
hours to develop but oftentimes they can be lessened by
set to take place March 2 immediate care by a veterinarian, therefore it is important for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
The Martin County Library System is excited has ingested a potentially poisonous amount of chocolate. us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
to announce that the 2024 BookMania! annual
event, sponsored by The Library Foundation
of Martin County and Florida Humanities, will Treasure Coast Outdoors
take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the
Jensen Beach High School Performing Arts
Center, 2875 NW Goldenrod Road in Jensen
Beach, starting at 9:00 a.m. Forward/Side Scanning company, MAQ Sonar, in Ontario, Canada, in the early
1970s. At first, his 360-degree multibeam scanning
BookMania! is free and open to the public. Fishing Sonar system was considered practical and cost-effective only
Authors will participate in one of multiple for the commercial fishing market. Then one sport-
panel discussions featuring emerging and By Jim Weix fisher, Ultimate Lady, shelled out the $100,000 or so
prominent writers. The auditorium can get When trolling for for the cost of equipment and installation and used the
chilly, so please bring a sweater. Titles by dolphins I often think of new technology to gain an advantage in high-stakes
guest authors are available through the the words in a song that billfish tournaments.
library’s collections. Lunch from the Martin says, “The ocean is a desert Fortunately, costs have dropped dramatically, but
County Sheriff's Office BBQ team will be but it’s not on the ground.” they are still pricey, ranging from $2,000 to $9,500. But
available for cash-only at the event. Barnes I must admit, my curiosity is killing me. Where is that
& Noble Booksellers will be onsite offering Mile after mile I troll.
purchased coffee and light refreshments in It wasn’t until I read a cobia at the Sandpile sitting? Where are the dolphins in
addition to facilitating book sales. bass fishing tournament that five-mile-long weed line?
article about side or forward So, for those of you who know that BOAT means
Sea Stories - Fact & Fiction scanning being banned in a Bring On Another Thousand, this might be your chance to
9:15 am - 10:00 am tournament that I started dramatically increase your chances of filling the fish box.
Moderator: Peggy Chittum wondering about using it for dolphin fishing. It seems bass Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
Kevin Sites: The Ocean Above Me anglers have been using it to locate those bass sitting under conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is
Earl Swift: Chesapeake Requiem - a year with lily pads or other shallow structures. included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Hall of
the Watermen of vanishing Tangier Island I’ve never fished on a vessel that I knew had it, but then Fame for helping restore thousands of acres of wetlands.
discovered it is commonly used. According to one article, Jim is a broker associate with The Keyes Company. He
Thriller & Suspense Gene Hill is credited with inventing omnidirectional can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or by email: jimweix@
10:30 am - 11:45 pm
SIGNING 11:45 am - 12:15 pm fishing sonar 50 years ago. In the military, he developed jimweix.com.
Moderator: Amanda Brack defense department equipment until he started his own
Darby Kane: The Engagement Party
Armando Lucas Correa: The Silence in her
Eyes
Megan Collins: Thicker Than Water

LUNCH 11:45 am - 12:45 pm -
signing and lunch

Love, Friendship, and Ever After's
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
SIGNING 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Moderator: Linda Weiksnar
Kristy Woodson Harvey: The Summer of
Songbirds
Melissa Rivero: Flores and Miss Paula

Historical Fiction
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
SIGNING 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Moderator: Paula Hundt
Talia Carner: The Boy with the Star Tattoo
Patti Callahan Henry: The Secret Book of
Flora Lea
Katherine Reay: The Berlin Letters
This popular program has received national
recognition for its stellar authors, record
attendance, and impressive Barnes &
Noble book sales. For more information,
visit www.library.martin.fl.us and search for
“BookMania!” or call 772-288-5702.

Funding for this program was provided
through a grant from Florida Humanities
with funds from the National Endowment
for the Humanities. Any views, findings,
conclusions or recommendations expressed
in this program do not necessarily represent
those of Florida Humanities or the National
Endowment for the Humanities.