Page 4 - Hobe Sound Reflections - March '20

Page 4, Hobe Sound

tIp of thE taIl

Importance of Year-Round case. We see heartworms year-round, especially here in heartworms in our small animal companions. The
Florida. Additionally, mosquitoes routinely travel inside
mainstay is a monthly preventative pill, with many of the
Heartworm Prevention our homes to escape the elements and in search of a blood products including protection against fleas and intestinal
meal. Therefore, even indoor animals or pets that only parasites. These medications come with stickers in the
go outside to use the restroom are still at risk. And here’s packaging that you can place on your monthly calendar
another alarming fact: One heartworm positive dog in the to remind you when it’s time to give the prevention. If
neighborhood (this can be someone’s pet or a stray) will purchased directly from your veterinarian, these products
result in 74 percent of the mosquitoes having infectious come with a guarantee from the manufacturers. Contact
heartworm larvae. This means that your pet, if not on your veterinarian to determine which option might be
heartworm prevention, is at an even greater risk. best for you and your pet’s lifestyle. If your dog has
As previously mentioned, heartworm disease can be been off of prevention or missed doses, your veterinarian
a fatal disease. Adult worms measuring up to 14 inches will likely want to perform a simple blood test to ensure
long can lodge in the heart and major blood vessels. he or she has not already contracted heartworms. It can
This can cause irreversible changes to the heart muscle, take up to six months for heartworms to be detected via
as well as damaging your pet’s lungs causing a cough blood test. So, if you’ve recently adopted a dog with an
or shortness of breath on walks, etc. In untreated cases, unknown medication history, you’ll likely want to retest
congestive heart failure can result in fluid accumulation six months after the initial sampling.
in the pet’s abdomen. Heartworm disease can be treated, Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
As many of you may or may not be aware, heartworm but it does carry an expense that far outweighs the cost Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
disease is fairly prevalent here in Florida. It is a of keeping your pet on prevention. Not to mention the for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
potentially fatal disease that is spread to dogs and cats via potentially long-term effects on your pet’s heart muscle. surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
mosquitoes. The good news: It is completely preventable For an average 40-pound dog, it would cost as low as $11 medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
with heartworm prevention, usually in the form of a per month to keep him or her protected, depending on Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
monthly pill. Did you know that your pet is still at risk of the product chosen. Alternatively, if the same pet were to medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
contracting the disease in fall and winter months? There become infected with heartworms, the cost to eradicate owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
is sometimes a false perception that because we see less them could be 10 times this amount depending on the www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
mosquitoes during that time, the risk of your pet getting treatment. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
heartworms is not present. Unfortunately, this is not the Thankfully, there are many options for preventing
EstatE plannIng

Call 2-1-1 In Crisis Or Need VA funded services and additional community-based Call 2-1-1 also has a special needs helpline to assist
services. Call 2-1-1 provides emotional support by trained families with support, answers and resources, and their
By Carrie Lavargna professionals. goal is to alleviate the emotional stress experienced by
How do you find out Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know is feeling parents and caregivers of children with special needs.
where to get help when you suicidal or may hurt themselves. By calling 2-1-1 there They also provide information on special needs events
need it? Call 2-1-1 for help is someone on the line who cares and has experience and have contacts with the Family Care Council of Florida
and information for many helping people through difficult situations. You may be and the programs that provide workshops and training for
services that are available. talking with a private therapist, counselor or psychologist autism and related disabilities.
This service is operated by who can help you calm down by listening to you and then Volunteers are encouraged to contact 2-1-1 to make a
2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure suggest alternatives and methods for relaxation like deep difference.
Coast, a private nonprofit breathing exercises, writing in a journal, and provide As a nonprofit organization, Call 2-1-1 Palm Beach/
charitable agency which encouragement to the caller. Treasure Coast, envisions a community where people in
began in 1981 as a drug Call 2-1-1 also provides help to parents who are crisis receive the information and support they need to
hotline. overwhelmed or worried about the development of their weather life’s storms.
They quickly expanded into crisis counseling and children. They are part of “Help Me Grow” which is a This column is an overview of the subject matter and
suicide prevention and now they offer services for elder national program designed to identify young children is not intended as legal advice. Carrie Lavargna is an
crisis, veterans, and families in need. In the early 2000s, the from 0 to 8 years who may be at-risk for developmental, attorney practicing law in Stuart at Lavargna Law, PLLC.
agency expanded its services into the Treasure Coast, serving behavioral or social challenges. There is no charge to She is board certified in real estate law by the Florida
residents of Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. participate in the 2-1-1 Help Me Grow program and they Supreme Court and recognized as an Accredited Estate
The FCC has designated 2-1-1 to be the national call partner with other programs that provide services free, Planner by the National Association of Estate Planning
number for information and referral purposes. low-fee or sliding scale services. Councils.
The mission of 2-1-1 Palm each/Treasure Coast
is to connect people to services 24 hours a day by
understanding their individual emotional, financial, and
community needs and to support the health and human
service system as a whole.
Call 2-1-1 for Elder Crisis Outreach to have
someone check on a vulnerable adult over 60 years of
age that has overwhelming problems due to grief and
loss, financial hardships, social isolation, self-neglect,
illness, victimization and emotional distress. Elder Crisis
Outreach can provide supportive counseling, needs
assessment, goal setting and plan of action, linkage to Please join us every Sunday at 10:30am. All visitors are welcome.
community services, suicide prevention and advocacy We are your Community Church.
with family or service providers.
Elder Crisis Outreach can also set up daily “sunshine” some of the things we do for
reassurance calls to check on the well-being of seniors, the community with our ¤
the homebound or disabled. This service is provided seven
days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is available A. A. meetings twice a week
in Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and our women's club meets for lunch at various places in the community
St. Lucie counties. To receive your daily sunshine call our men's club meets for breakfast at harry and the natives...
just dial 2-1-1 and say you are interested in receiving the Planning their projects ... The first saturday of the month @ 9:00
sunshine calls. we are starting a "dog Park" on our grounds
Florida has the third largest veterans’ population in (no – the dogs do not have to be Presbyterian ... Only nice ...)
the nation. Call 2-1-1 for information and referral to yoga classes held for community members.
The church is open 10-1:00 daily for prayer and meditation
eAster services ¤
Palm sunday ... 10:30
maundy Thursday...special music, communion ... 7:00
For this there will be soup served prior to service in fellowship hall
easter sunday ... service at 10:30