Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - March '20

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight DOUBLE SPACE

Tip of ThE TaiL

Importance of Year-Round mosquitoes during that time, the risk of your pet getting Thankfully, there are many options for preventing

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

EsTaTE pLanning

Call 2-1-1 In Crisis Or Need suggest alternatives and methods for relaxation like deep and the programs that provide workshops and training for
breathing exercises, writing in a journal, and provide autism and related disabilities.
By Carrie Lavargna encouragement to the caller. Volunteers are encouraged to contact 2-1-1 to make a
How do you find out Call 2-1-1 also provides help to parents who are difference.
where to get help when you overwhelmed or worried about the development of their As a nonprofit organization, Call 2-1-1 Palm Beach/
need it? Call 2-1-1 for help children. They are part of “Help Me Grow” which is a Treasure Coast, envisions a community where people in
and information for many national program designed to identify young children crisis receive the information and support they need to
services that are available. from 0 to 8 years who may be at-risk for developmental, weather life’s storms.
This service is operated by behavioral or social challenges. There is no charge to This column is an overview of the subject matter and is
2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure participate in the 2-1-1 Help Me Grow program and they not intended as legal advice. Carrie Lavargna is an attorney
Coast, a private nonprofit partner with other programs that provide services free, practicing law in Stuart at Lavargna Law, PLLC. She is
charitable agency which low-fee or sliding scale services. board certified in real estate law by the Florida Supreme
began in 1981 as a drug Call 2-1-1 also has a special needs helpline to assist Court and recognized as an Accredited Estate Planner by
hotline. families with support, answers and resources, and their the National Association of Estate Planning Councils.
They quickly expanded goal is to alleviate the emotional stress experienced by
into crisis counseling and suicide prevention and now they parents and caregivers of children with special needs.
offer services for elder crisis, veterans, and families in They also provide information on special needs events
need. In the early 2000s, the agency expanded its services and have contacts with the Family Care Council of Florida
into the Treasure Coast, serving residents of Martin, St.
Lucie and Indian River counties.
The FCC has designated 2-1-1 to be the national call
number for information and referral purposes. .
.
The mission of 2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Eat Better Spend Less Leave With a Smile
is to connect people to services 24 hours a day by
understanding their individual emotional, financial, and HOURS
community needs and to support the health and human Monday - Friday $2 O
service system as a whole. 9AM-6PM
Call 2-1-1 for Elder Crisis Outreach to have someone Saturday & Sunday
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reassurance calls to check on the well-being of seniors, Some Are Grown On Site ,
Others Just Down The Street. All Are
the homebound or disabled. This service is provided seven The Highest-Quality We Can Find For You.
days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is available
in Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and
St. Lucie counties. To receive your daily sunshine call
just dial 2-1-1 and say you are interested in receiving the
sunshine calls. S
Florida has the third largest veterans’ population in W
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the nation. Call 2-1-1 for information and referral to i Florida Turnpike
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VA funded services and additional community-based B SW Martin Downs Blvd

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Call 2-1-1 provides emotional support by trained 3706 any other o er. Must present
Can not be combined with
professionals. S SW Martin Hwy coupon to redeem.
Limited time o er.
Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know is feeling
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suicidal or may hurt themselves. By calling 2-1-1 there r 3706 SW Citrus Blvd, Palm City
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is someone on the line who cares and has experience l (772) 888-3103
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helping people through difficult situations. You may be

talking with a private therapist, counselor or psychologist Palm City Farms Produce and Market
who can help you calm down by listening to you and then