Page 11 - Martin Downs Bulletin - December '19

Martin Downs, Page 11

tip oF tHe tail

Pet Safety For The Holiday special attention to plastic toys, especially those with or even seizures. Bread dough and other yeast products
small removable parts, strings or loose wires. Batteries
can produce alcohol and cause intoxication. Dough
Season are caustic and potentially highly toxic. They can cause can also block the intestinal tract or cause bloating.
obstructions or lead to chemical burns. Linear foreign Macadamia nuts can cause increased body temperature,
bodies are among the most dangerous we encounter! muscle stiffness, increased heart rate and tremors. Pets
Strings, tinsel and ribbons can obstruct or even cut seem to be attracted to alcohol, so don’t leave drinks
through the intestines. Tree ornaments can result in cuts. unattended. It is no joke to get a pet drunk; and serious
They can be swallowed whole or contain toxic dyes or intoxications have occurred. Small amounts of antifreeze
chemicals. Crayons, markers and pencils are usually can be fatal. Potpourri/potpourri oil can cause severe
non-toxic, especially if made for children, but can result burns and ingestion can affect the nervous system.
in vomiting or diarrhea. A few other, often overlooked, dangers include
Many things can be poisonous, including plants, electric shock from chewing on Christmas lights or other
decorations and even foods that are safe for people to electrical cords and traumatic injuries from cats climbing
eat. Mistletoe is very toxic and can cause intestinal upset, trees or children climbing pets.
heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, seizures or a Holiday festivities can get stressful. You should
coma. All of the plant, especially the berries, is poisonous. provide a special quiet place to which your pet can retreat
Holly is moderately to very toxic, especially berries and when the excitement gets too stressful (Sometimes, you
leaves, and results in severe vomiting and diarrhea or may want to join him!). Family and guests are coming
Pet safety is especially important during the holiday nervous system depression. Poinsettias and all parts of and going, so watch out for open doors and windows to
season. We must remember our four-legged and winged the Christmas tree are only mildly toxic. prevent pets from escaping. Be sure your pet has a collar
family members. Holiday festivities present situations Decorations are beautiful, but potentially dangerous with tags or a microchip. Discourage visitors from feeding
which can be hazardous to your pet, so a little precaution to our pets. Snow spray, fireplace colors (fire salts) and your pets treats; we want our pets to enjoy the holiday
is necessary for making this season a happy time for Angel Hair (spun glass) are only slightly toxic. The fluid season with us – not with vomiting and diarrhea.
everyone. You may be surprised by what your pets can in bubbling lights (methylene chloride) can be lethal if The Palm City Animal Medical Center wishes you all
get into during the holidays, but your veterinarian won’t inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Tree preservative a very happy and healthy holiday season.
be. We have seen almost everything! Plants, gifts and varies in toxicity by brand, so read the label carefully. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
decorations are just a few of the seemingly harmless New tinsel is non-toxic, but in the past, it contained Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
things that can change a celebration into an emergency poisons such as metallic cyanide. So be careful if your for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
trip to the veterinarian. decorations have been passed down from relatives. surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
If there is one rule, we should follow this time of Chocolate isn’t just dangerous to our waistline; it is medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
year … this is it: Anything they can swallow, they will dangerous to our pets. The danger varies with the type of Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
swallow! Obstructive foreign bodies are things our pets chocolate. Unsweetened baker’s chocolate is the worst, medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
eat that lead to partial or complete blockage of their then milk chocolate, and white chocolate is the least. owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
gastrointestinal tract. We have seen animals that have Toxicity can range from an upset stomach to neurologic www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
ingested needles, fish hooks, rocks, a spoon and even signs such as tremors to coma and even death. Coffee Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
razor blades. These objects can get stuck anywhere from contains caffeine and theobromine which is harmful to
the mouth and lips, all the way to their back end. Pay pets and can cause acceleration of heart rate and breathing

HealtH talk

Children’s Museum Offers the district in Jensen Beach to the farthest south in Hobe The Children’s Museum to make a donation. The program

Free Germs, Germs, Germs Sound. averages around $5 per student.
The Children’s Museum visited 13 locations with 28
The mission of The Children’s Museum of the Treasure
Outreach Program classrooms. And we served 564 students all for free! Coast is to offer children and families a place to explore
and learn through hands-on activities, educational
During the Germs, Germs, Germs outreach programs,
students learn the types of germs, how they make us sick, programs and cultural experiences.
To All Martin County School District how they spread so quickly, and how we can properly If your program is interested in including The
Headstart And VPK Classes! wash our hands to keep them away. Outreach presenter Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast for an
Katie Makemson, director of education, stated, “My outreach program, please contact Katie Makemson at
During the end favorite part was seeing the children’s smiles when they The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast for more
of October and had the glow in the dark “germ” solution on their hands. information at (772) 225-7575, Ext. 201 or edudirector@
the beginning of They learned if they didn’t scrub their hands well enough, childrensmuseumtc.org.
November, The it would still be there.”
Children’s Museum The fun and engaging program was well received by L
the school district, teachers, and most importantly the
w as in every students! “The presentation really made an impression L AVARGNA AW PLLC
Headstart and VPK
class in the Martin on the students about the importance of hand washing.
County S chool The use of the black light to demonstrate that the students .
District teaching still needed to wash their hands, after doing it a first time, Wills and Trusts
the Germs, Germs, was a great visual that was implemented for the children . Probate
Germs outreach to actually see that they needed to wash their hands a bit .
progra m . T hi s longer and more thoroughly,” said Mrs. Griffin, teacher. . Real Estate Closings
educational program “The Children’s Museum worked tirelessly with me Business Matters
was offered free to to accommodate all of our classrooms as well as their
the school district schedules as we made the outreach schedule. The program
because of donations to the museum’s Marti Huizenga aligned with our state standards and the presentation ANTHONY LAVARGNA
ANTHONY LAVARGNA
Scholarship Fund! allowed the students to be involved and engaged in their Member of the Florida Bar
Licensed in the United States
Headstart is a federal program for underprivileged learning,” said Mary Ann Garcia, resource teacher. District Court, Southern and
Middle Districts of Florida
students ages 3, 4 and 5 run by the Martin County School The Germs, Germs, Germs outreach program was made
District. VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) classes are available free of charge to the Martin County School
offered at each elementary school campus across the District because of generous donations to The Children’s
district. The Children’s Museum started with classes at Museum’s Marti Huizenga Scholarship Program. Donors
two Indiantown locations, and reached from the north of can sponsor other classes or other programs by contacting

CARRIE LAVARGNA
CARRIE LAVARGNA
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP)
Board Certified
Real Estate Attorney
REAL ESTATE
We provide quality, personal legal services to individuals and
businesses in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and
throughout the Treasure Coast.
1805 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart Financial Center, Stuart, FL 34994
.
.
772 286 7521
- REAL ESTATE PRACTICE TIP -
Advertise in This Newspaper! Call 561.746.3244 If you rent commercial o ce, retail, or warehouse space, Florida sales tax rate to use

commercial real property decreases to 5.7% on January 1, 2019. The local discretionary

sale surtax still applies. This decrease does not apply to parking or storage of motor
vehicles, docking or storage of boats or tie-down or storage of aircraft.