Page 7 - Hobe Sound Reflections - April '20

Hobe Sound, Page 7

Tip of THe Tail HealTH TalK

Obesity In Pets While obesity usually develops secondarily to extra calories
and low activity levels, other conditions can promote obesity. Medical Partnership To
Obesity is a disease Hypothyroidism in dogs can cause a variety of symptoms, with Assist Seniors During
that affects millions weight gain representing one of the most common symptoms.
of dogs and cats. It is Also, some medications, such as glucocorticoids and anti-seizure COVID-19 Crisis
estimated that over 50 drugs, may lead to an increase in body weight. Specific breeds
percent of dogs and of dogs, such as golden retrievers, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, By Jackie Holfelder
cats, representing over and Labrador retrievers are more likely to become overweight, A new partnership between Dr. Michele Libman
90 million pets, are so genetics may play a role in canine obesity. Because of the of Treasure Coast Urgent Care (TCUC) and Treasure
overweight or obese. many causes of obesity, it is important to regularly discuss your Coast Primary Care (TCPC) and Evergreen Private
Pets are overweight if they are 10 to 20 percent above their ideal pet’s weight with your veterinarian. Care has been announced by Rob Gluckman, CEO of
weight. Obese pets are 20 to 30 percent over their ideal weight. Many studies have examined health problems associated TCUC and TCPC.
A pet with a normal body weight of 10 pounds can be considered with overweight and obese dogs and cats. These diseases include The businesses, dedicated to the finest in health
overweight at 11 to 12 pounds. While 1 to 2 pounds of extra diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, hypertension, dental disease, care, are committed to developing creative and
body weight may not seem like much, it can have detrimental and lower urinary tract disorders. Obesity can also exacerbate innovative ways to help at-risk patients during the
effects on a pet’s health. This seemingly small amount of excess existing musculoskeletal issues and respiratory diseases. COVID-19 crisis.
weight in a 10-pound pet is the same as a 150-pound person Obesity can be difficult to manage. Appropriate diet and Both stress that it’s imperative to incorporate
gaining 15 to 30 pounds. exercise are crucial to promoting healthy weight loss in obese new methods of keeping people safe, working in
Many factors influence weight gain in pets. The leading pets, as well as maintaining an appropriate body weight once conjunction with the traditional home health model.
reasons for obesity are excess caloric consumption and an ideal body weight has been achieved. Your veterinarian Utilizing the tele-medicine option available at
inadequate activity levels. Pets can consume too many calories can be helpful in selecting the proper diet for weight loss or both of Dr. Libman’s practices, and under the orders
for a variety of reasons. Commonly, too many treats contribute to maintenance, providing suggestions for increasing your pet’s of the physicians and ARNPs on her staff, Evergreen
excess calories, as well as allowing a pet to “free-feed,” instead activity level, and ensuring your pet does not have an underlying will begin to provide in-home nursing assessments for
of being fed smaller, measured meals. Spaying or neutering medical issue that may be contributing to weight gain. clients in their own homes.
can decrease a pet’s caloric requirements; spayed, female dogs Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is This service will be available in Martin and St.
are twice as likely to be overweight than intact, female dogs. dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With Lucie counties.
Spaying and neutering is still important to prevent other serious focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and TCUC, TCPC and Evergreen have all built
health issues, but control of calories and exercise will help rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and their reputations on providing safe, competent,
prevent being overweight. Insufficient exercise also can result in emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines compassionate care each and every day. This new
obesity. Providing enough exercise for pets can be challenging. exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and initiative is a way to offer seniors and veterans
While dogs may be easier to take on walks, cats are often kept their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit who are at risk and reluctant to leave their homes
indoors and have limited activity. Additionally, as pets age, they www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook the opportunity to have coordinated treatment by
may become less active, resulting in weight gain. at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimal. professionals they can trust.
Gluckman is enthusiastic about being able to
leGal TalK provide this new level of care when it is so sorely
needed. “We can offer our most vulnerable citizens
the security of staying in their own homes without
foregoing any needed medical treatment. We can
Protect That Inheritance! an automobile accident where their liability in the accident limit their exposure to COVID-19 without them
exceeded their insurance coverage limits. Unless the child compromising their health.”
By Ryan C. Abernethy took some action on their own accord prior to the accident to The partners say that by availing yourself of this
One critically important “protect” this inheritance, this $1,000,000 would be exposed new service, you can heed the advice of our national
aspect of a thoughtfully to their creditor. leaders: If you feel sick stay home and call your
designed estate plan is “how” Instead, imagine that this same $1,000,000 was left to your physician – but now they can them come to you.
assets are passed downstream child in a trust which he or she could even manage for his or The businesses are currently working with the local
to beneficiaries. Too often in herself – thereby giving the child substantially similar access health department with the goal of being approved to
our practice we come across to their inheritance as if it were left to them outright. offer COVID-19 testing in the home once the test kits
estate plans that stipulate Alternatively, staged distributions to the child can still be become available. Containment is vital.
that a child’s inheritance used where a portion of the assets is “turned-over” to the child’s Treasure Coast Urgent Care and Treasure Coast
pass to him or her outright control upon reaching certain ages –however, any portion that Primary Care and Evergreen Private Care urge their
immediately upon death, is controlled by the child would be still held in trust (managed fellow home health agencies and physicians to think
or over time with outright by the child as trustee). outside the box and come up with creative partnerships
“staged distributions” occurring upon the child attaining In this scenario, the fact that you executed a thoughtfully on their own.
certain ages (a portion distributed to the child at age 30, another designed estate plan will protect your child’s inheritance from All three businesses are looking for additional
portion distributed at age 35, etc.). being reached by this creditor. health care workers in various specialties and
For obvious reasons, leaving an inheritance outright to an heir This exposure to “creditors and predators” for your child designations. Join a unique and groundbreaking
who lacks the ability or maturity to effectively manage assets in this example is not limited to automobile accidents. A failed partnership and help “flatten the curve!”
for his or herself (due to age, life circumstances, etc.) would be marriage or risks associated with a child’s profession are other For more information, call Evergreen Private Care
inappropriate and potentially damaging to that heir. However, examples of situations where an outright inheritance could at (772) 221-2990 or Treasure Coast Primary Care at
outright transfers to an heir who does display the maturity to be exposed. This is one of many reasons why contacting an (772) 419-5060. It’s time to join together and conquer
manage the inheritance on their own can be just as harmful. experienced attorney to design an estate plan that fits your the threat of COVID-19.
Leaving assets outright to an heir exposes these inherited individual needs is so important.
assets to the heir’s present and future creditors. Imagine a Ryan C. Abernethy, Associate Attorney and Counselor
situation where a $1,000,000 inheritance is left to a child at Law at Abernethy Law Group, 130 S. Indian River Drive,
outright immediately (or to the child through outright staged No. 201, Fort Pierce can be contacted at (772) 489-4901 or
distributions) and the child subsequently became involved in rabernethy@abernethylawgroup.com.