Page 13 - Stuart Exposure - March '20

Stuart Exposure, Page 13

tip of the tail

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

In Your Community from page 12

Tammy Matthew, Christine DelVecchio, Bonney Johnson
Carol and Bob Weissman with Stacy Ranieri Karen Johnson, Leigh Garry and Jan Norris and Denise Ehrich

Urgent

Care Clinic

When you need to be seen Easy access to treatment for
common medical issues including: Hours for Urgent Care:
quickly, but you’re not in an
• Cold, cough, and • Nausea, vomiting Monday – Friday
emergency situation, walk in to flu symptoms, viral • Sinus infection 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
infections
• Skin injuries requiring
our urgent care clinic conveniently • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) suturing Saturday & Sunday
• Diarrhea • Skin rashes - poison 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
located in the Cleveland Clinic • Earache ivy, ringworm, shingles,
scabies, impetigo
• Insect bites and stings
Family Health Center, Stuart. • Minor burns • Urinary tract infections 3801 S Kanner Highway | Stuart, FL 34994
(ages 4+)
• Minor injuries - sprains, • Diagnostic services - 772.419.3900
No appointment is necessary. strains, minor joint pain EKGs, X-rays
martinhealth.org/urgentcare
If you have a condition that is a medical emergency such as chest pain, severe shortness of
breath or require immediate assistance due to an accident or injury, please call 911.

34261-20

34261 CCMH Urgent Care Seabreeze Ad MAR FINAL.indd 1 2/10/20 2:27 PM