Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - August '19

Page 8, Martin Downs

tip of tHe tAil

The Dreaded Allergies protein or contain only vegetable protein can also be used. It is weekly along with oral fatty acid supplements will also help

important not to feed something the pet has had before. The pet manage atopy. It is important to remember that there can be
cannot receive any other foods or treats on while on this diet. “flareups” when the allergen in the environment overwhelms
The elimination trial should last 10 to 12 weeks. If symptoms the medications. It is also important to remember that this is
improve or resolve then food allergy is the diagnosis. a long-term and often lifelong condition. It can be easy to
Canine atopy is a hypersensitivity reaction to inhaled or become frustrated if this is not understood.
cutaneously absorbed environmental allergens. The dog’s In general dealing with allergies in dogs can be very
immune system becomes stimulated in response to the frustrating. Frequent trips to the veterinarian, costs of testing
allergen which leads to inflammation of the skin and ears and medications. Some pets can even have all three allergies
and to itching. The normal protective defenses of the skin (fleas, food and atopy). It is important to work with your
and ears become lost due to the inflammation. Once this veterinarian. As a team, we can get you and your pet where
occurs, the bacteria and yeast that normally live on the skin you need to be with time and patience! Hang in there, we are
and in ears can overgrow and cause infection. Canine atopy here to help!
can start as a seasonal problem but over time can progress Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
into a year-round issue. Diagnosis of atopy is made by ruling dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
out other allergies such as flea allergic dermatitis and food focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
There are three common allergies in dogs: flea allergy hypersensitivity. When we treat canine atopy, we are treating rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
dermatitis, canine food hypersensitivity and canine atopy both the secondary infections and the inflammation/allergy and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
(atopic dermatitis, environmental, pollen allergies). Here response. As we know allergies are not curable. Luckily, we combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
in Florida’s tropical climate we have near constant pollen now have multiple medications that will treat the inflammation for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
production and fleas year-round. As a result, many dogs in and itch effectively and can be given long-term with minimal 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
Florida suffer from canine atopy and flea allergy dermatitis. side effects. Topical treatments with medicated shampoos us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Food allergies are much less common and are seen most often
in younger dogs. reAl estAte
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common cause of
dermatitis in dogs. Dogs that are allergic to fleas develop
hair loss and sores along the back, around the tail and back
legs. These pets will be very itchy. Live fleas are most often Treasure Coast Real Estate First, people are simply staying in their homes longer.
seen on the pet but sometimes only flea feces will be visible. Before the housing crash, when properties were going up in
Treatment includes killing the adult fleas on the pet and also Report value 30 percent a year, it was not uncommon for people to
eliminating them from the environment. Pets must be kept on sell their primary residence every two to five years and pocket
a monthly flea preventative. The best flea control would be Real Estate Heading Back To A Seller’s the profit. That is because the tax laws allow an individual
to use a product that sterilizes the flea eggs combined with a Market to keep the first $250,000 in profit tax free. A couple got to
product that kills the adult fleas as well. This approach will By Jim Weix keep $500,000.
eliminate fleas from the environment over a few months As most people know, Another factor is that many people presently have a very
and any fleas around will die once on the pet. All pets in the it is difficult to predict the low mortgage interest rate. Even though rates are still very
environment must be on a flea prevention for the products to stock market. The same low, any increase acts as a deterrent to selling and buying
work, otherwise the fleas will live on those pets. If there is a thing applies to real estate. another home, with a new mortgage.
flea infestation in the area, it may take two to three months to The inventory of existing A lower inventory is good news for sellers however.
eliminate the fleas. homes and condos had been Because there are still plenty of buyers, a properly priced
Canine food hypersensitivity is an adverse reaction to a increasing, yet prices were home or condo will sell quickly and at top dollar.
food or food additive. It can occur at any age, from puppies leveling off and sales were So when is a good time of year to sell? The answer is
to elderly dogs that have been eating the same dog food for declining from the year pretty much anytime. We are no longer as dependent on the
years. Most dogs diagnosed with a food allergy are under 2 to before. Some people were “snowbirds” as we once were. On the Treasure Coast we have
3 years old. Symptoms are nonseasonal and may not respond predicting a minor end to a steady supply of buyers all year long from down south,
to corticosteroids as most allergies will. Pets may be very itchy the latest housing price bubble and a new era of a “buyer’s trying to escape the congestion and social issues down there.
and develop secondary infections or they can only be itchy market.” As for next year? See my comments about predictions
when secondary infections are present. The skin will be red Although prices may remain stable, it looks as if a above.
and inflamed. Diagnosing food allergy can be difficult. The predicted decline in the supply of inventory may protect Jim Weix is a Broker Associate with The Keyes Company.
only reliable way is to put a pet on an elimination diet trial. sellers from price declines. With low interest rates, there Jim has 23 years of experience selling real estate full time.
This involves feeding the pet a prescription diet created for this is a still a good supply of buyers. Factors that seem to be If you have questions or want the services of an experienced
purpose such as a hydrolyzed diet. This type of diet is created fueling the predictions of a declining inventory are a number expert, you can reach Jim at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@
by breaking the proteins down to make them unrecognizable of things. jimweix.com.
by the body as an allergen. Prescription diets that are novel
estAte plAnning

Palm City Auto

Lube & Services Your Living Estate Plan and provides little coverage for assisted living and nursing
homes. When a tragic illness or injury causes incapacitation
By Carrie Lavargna, Esq. and long-term care will be required an elder law attorney
When you hear “You need should be consulted who can assist with planning for these
The DiTerlizzi Family of Companies an estate plan” you probably unexpected costs. A Power of Attorney signed now can also
think of a Last Will and
provide your trusted agent with power and flexibility to make
those long care decisions for you.
Testament which states who
Celebrating Our 28th Year gets your money when you The Living Estate Plan is for every adult. When a child turns
18, medical professionals are not legally permitted to speak to
die. Right? Well that is an
important part of an estate plan, the parents, without the young adult’s consent This becomes a
but equally important is who tremendous problem when your child has a medical emergency.
.00
$10 off and how someone can take Young adults should have a Health Care Surrogate
care of you while you are alive.
designation which conforms with health care privacy laws
our “full Service oil Change” The Health Care Surrogate allowing physicians to talk with close family members or
Enjoy by 9/30/19. and Living Will give a trusted friends who can then make medical decisions for the young
person the ability to make health care decisions for you if adult if he or she cannot make them. If your child is going
Complete Auto Repair you are too sick and unable to give consent for medical care away to college, I strongly recommend you get the health care
or procedure. The Power of Attorney gives a trusted person
surrogate form signed because universities, and their medical
• Brakes • Diagnostics the ability to make legal and financial decisions for you. facilities, can be very strict on privacy compliance.
• Tune-ups • Oil/Lube I call these documents “Your Living Estate Plan” because This spring the Midwest was hit by several severe tornados
that struck people by surprise and caused great damage.
they provide for you while you are alive.
• Air • Tires I’ve had people tell me they don’t need these documents right We are in the midst of hurricane season now, but we know
Conditioning • Tire Repairs now. Yet we have all heard about or known about someone who when the storm is coming and have time to take precautions.
had a tragic accident and was severely injured. A heart attack A tragic accident or sudden illness is like a tornado, which
DiTerlizzi family or stroke can happen suddenly causing severe physical damage suddenly occurs and causes long-term damage to people.
requiring long-term rehabilitation or nursing care.
Take your precautions and get your Living Estate documents
owned since 1990 If you do not have the Living Estate documents in place in place. You need these documents now.
then a court appointed guardian is required when you cannot This column is an overview of the subject matter and is
772-223-LUBE (5823) make your own decisions. Guardianship proceedings are time not intended as legal advice. Carrie Lavargna is an attorney
consuming and expensive and can cause controversy among
practicing law in Stuart and is Board Certified in Real Estate
3584 SW Armellini Ave., Palm City family members. In guardianship the court will decide who law by The Florida Bar and is designated an Accredited
Located in the “Pure” gas station will make your decisions. Estate Planner (AEP) by the National Association of Estate
Medicare and health insurance do not cover everything Planners & Councils.