Page 9 - Palm City Spolight - December '20

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Palm City Spotlight, Page 9

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Chronic Kidney Insufficiency When kidney function begins to decline, waste Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical

products accumulate in the blood, electrolyte imbalances Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
occur, anemia can develop, blood pressure problems may for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
occur, and urine concentration decreases. surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
Clinical signs of chronic kidney insufficiency can medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
be vague and may mimic other diseases. The most Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
common symptoms usually noted are increased thirst medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
and increased urination. Other symptoms may include owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and poor hair www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
coat. These symptoms may be slowly progressive, and, Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
if mild, may go unnoticed by a pet owner. Lab work may
reveal abnormalities before obvious clinical signs are
evident, which may allow treatment to be initiated sooner
Chronic kidney insufficiency is one of the most and provide the best quality of life for the pet.
common diseases affecting older pets, especially cats. Several treatment options can be utilized to help pets
Many causes exist for chronic kidney insufficiency, with chronic kidney insufficiency maintain a good quality
with age-related kidney deterioration being one of the of life. Special prescription diets are one of the best
more common causes. Chronic kidney insufficiency main long-term treatments to help maintain appropriate
indicates that a condition called azotemia has been protein levels and certain electrolyte levels. These diets
present for months or years. When azotemia is present, are available through veterinarians. Another treatment
toxins have accumulated in the bloodstream, and lab option is fluid therapy, either subcutaneous fluids or
work will indicate abnormalities. Approximately 70 intravenous fluids. Subcutaneous fluids, which are placed
percent of kidney function must be lost before lab work under a pet’s skin, can be used at home or in the clinic
abnormalities are noted. Azotemia does not necessarily to help maintain hydration; subcutaneous fluids can be
mean a pet is experiencing a reduced quality of life. The utilized long-term to help with quality of life. Some
term uremia means that the patient is azotemic and also pets will benefit from subcutaneous fluids up to several
demonstrating clinical signs of kidney disease, which may times a week, while others may need fluids less often.
be reducing their quality of life. The goal in treatment Intravenous fluids are usually reserved for pets who need
of chronic kidney insufficiency is to prevent, postpone, more aggressive fluid therapy. Some pets with chronic
or resolve uremia, to ensure the pet experiences the best kidney insufficiency may have blood pressure issues, and
possible quality of life. Azotemia associated with chronic these pets may benefit from blood pressure medications.
kidney insufficiency may not be reversible. Depending on the chronicity and severity of kidney
The kidneys perform several important functions: insufficiency, pets can experience anemia. If this occurs,
1.) Filtering waste products, primarily urea and medication may be needed to help correct the anemia.
creatinine; Chronic kidney insufficiency is a common disease
2.) Regulating electrolytes, including sodium, in older animals; however, pets can live with a good
potassium, phosphorus, and calcium; quality of life for many years after diagnosis with proper
3.) Producing erythropoietin, which helps stimulate management. Annual lab work may reveal indications
the bone marrow to produce red blood cells; of chronic kidney insufficiency well before a pet shows
4.) Producing renin, which helps control blood clinical signs. Please check with your veterinarian to see
pressure; if your pet is due for his or her lab work.
5.) Producing and concentrating urine.

Domestic Violence and the Holiday Season

By Dr. Teresa Albizu, see signs of abuse and provide much needed For these reasons and more, SafeSpace needs your
CEO of SafeSpace support. support more than ever.

To many people, the Anyone in a domestic violence situation should Your contribution will ensure our programs will
holiday season is the have a safety kit should it be necessary to exit a continue to be in place for victims of domestic
happiest time of year. dangerous situation quickly. violence in the tri-county area.

Most years, we look This kit should be hidden in a safe place, easily Your gift of $500 provides one week of safety
forward to spending accessible, and include things like emergency for a family in our emergency shelter. A $1,000
time with family phone numbers, clothing for adults and children, donation buys food for a family’s typical eight-
and friends, and feel cash, extra sets of car keys and house keys, and week stay.
enthusiastic about medication and/or prescriptions.
celebrations. Depending on a victim’s situation, they may
In addition, store copies of birth certificates, need our emergency shelter, our injunction for
However, even in normal years, the holidays can driver’s license and other important documents protection legal services, or our comprehensive
be a dark and scary time for victims of domestic in a safe place. outreach programs for both adults and children.
violence.
If you suspect that a loved one is in a domestic Too often, victims of domestic violence suffer
Unrealistic expectations combined with financial abuse situation, remember that violence is never in silence. That’s why we provide training for
pressures and increased alcohol consumption the victim’s fault. healthcare workers, educators and childcare
can raise stress levels, which often contribute to providers: typically, they are the first people to
incidents of intimate partner violence. Leaving or escaping can be difficult. When notice the telltale signs.
speaking to a friend or loved one whom you
Every day, four women in the U.S. die as a result suspect is a victim, never be accusatory or critical, Contributions make this important training
of domestic abuse and the stress and expectations and instead share your unconditional support and possible and also support a range of educational
of the holidays often make things worse. love, offering resources that may be helpful. programs for school-age children to encourage
non-violent living.
Add the additional impact of COVID-19 this year These could include local police phone numbers
and you’ve got a disaster waiting to happen. and SafeSpace’s hotline number: 772-288-2399. Donations to SafeSpace make a significant
difference in the lives of those whom we serve.
Domestic violence rose 15-20 percent on the Remember that anyone can become a victim of Please consider becoming a monthly donor and
Treasure Coast during each of the first three abuse or violence (physical, emotional, verbal, supporting our programs year-round.
months of the pandemic. financial, academic, social, etc.).
We hope we can count on your support. Together,
Being sequestered at home means those affected SafeSpace is committed to helping victims we are saving lives! Visit www.safespacefl.org
by intimate partner violence can’t avoid their become survivors and thrivers – at any time,
abusers. including during the holidays. We are here to help
24/7, every day of the year. Our work never stops,
They’re not interacting with people who would our work never ends.