Page 6 - Hobe Sound Exposure - September '21

Page 6, Hobe Sound

Tip Of The Tail

Bufo Toads external salivary gland behind each eye where you expect smaller pets. I often tell owners of large dogs to rinse/

an ear to be. This is where their clear or milky white toxin wipe the mouth and observe them for 15 minutes, but I
is excreted when the toad is disturbed or annoyed such as tell owners of small dogs to rinse/wipe the mouth and get
being picked up in the mouth of a dog. The toxin affects the them examined right away.
nervous system and the heart and is similar in action to the There are a few things we can do to decrease the chance
cardiac drug digitalis. The tadpoles and eggs are also toxic, of your pet having an experience with a bufo toad. First,
but usually to a lesser degree. control insects in your yard by keeping lights off and using
When a pet is exposed, the toxin is irritating to the lips appropriate insecticides. Do not leave your pet’s food or
and gums. Pets will salivate excessively and paw at their water bowls outside and keep your pets on a leash when out
mouth. Sometimes, but not always, the gums will turn a brick for walks especially in the morning and evening. Keeping
red color. It is always difficult to determine the amount of bufo toads out of your yard requires completely enclosing the
toxicity, but small breeds are often more severely affected yard with mesh screens that extend at least 20 inches above
due to lower body weight. The toxin can be absorbed through the ground and 4 inches below the ground. Natural ways to
the mucous membranes and doesn’t necessarily need to be control bufo toad populations are being investigated, but do
ingested. If enough toxin is absorbed, the pet will begin to not look promising at this time.
The bufo toad first came to Florida in 1955 when it was vomit followed by heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, Exposure to bufo toads can result in minimal to no
accidentally released at the Miami International Airport by seizures and possibly death. problems at all, but if left untreated or unnoticed, can be
a dealer importing specimens from Australia to be sold as The most important thing you, as a pet owner, can do fatal especially in smaller animals.
pets. They were later released into sugar cane fields to help is immediately flush and wipe out the mouth to remove as Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
control mice and rats. These toads thrive in areas with man- much of the poison as possible before it is absorbed. Point is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
made bodies of water such as canals and drainage fields. the head down and flush across the mouth and not down pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
They often drive out native species of toads because they the throat. You do not want to drown your pet while trying physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
will eat a wide variety of food sources. Most toads will only to save him. You can also use a towel to wipe the poison extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
eat live insects. The bufo will eat dead insects, dog/cat food out of the mouth and off the lips. After decontaminating Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
and even baby rodents right out of their nests. They have the mouth, call your veterinarian or pet emergency clinic. care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
a very heavily built body with short legs and no webbing There is not a specific antidote, but we can alleviate some For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
between the toes. They will grow over 9 inches long and can of the clinical signs. It may take 10 or 15 minutes for palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
weigh up to 2 pounds. A key feature of their anatomy is an some of the more serious signs to appear, especially in at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

financial fOcus

Prepare For Health Care and Prevention, as reported in a recent Edward Jones/Age supplemented with a Medigap policy, or Medicare
Wave survey titled Four Pillars of the New Retirement:
Costs In Retirement What a Difference a Year Makes. The study also found that Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C. Given
all the variables involved – deductibles, copayments,
retirees’ greatest financial worry is the cost of health care coinsurance, areas of coverage and availability of your
By Sally Sima Stahl and long-term care – concerns that have increased during personal doctors – you’ll want to choose your plan
It’s unfortunate but true: the COVID-19 pandemic. carefully.
As we age, we encounter And health care is likely going to be one of the • Protect yourself from long-term care costs. No
more health-related issues largest expenses in retirement – the average couple might matter which Medicare plan you choose, it won’t cover
– and they carry a price tag spend $10,000 to $12,000 per year on health care costs. much, if any, of the costs of long-term care, such as an
that can get pretty high in Nonetheless, you can boost your confidence about meeting extended stay in a nursing home. You may want to consult
retirement. Will you be ready these costs by making the right moves. with a financial advisor, who can suggest options to protect
for these costs? Here are a few suggestions: you and your family from long-term care costs, which can
Perhaps your first step • Take advantage of your health savings account. If be considerable.
in preparing yourself is you’re still working, consider contributing to a health savings And, of course, do whatever you can to stay healthy,
knowing what you may be account (HSA) if it’s offered by your employer. This account before and during your retirement. It’s been shown that
facing. Consider this: 80 allows you to save pretax dollars (and possibly earn employee exercise and a balanced diet can help you feel better,
percent of Americans 65 and older have a chronic condition matching contributions), which can potentially grow, and be maintain your weight and even reduce the likelihood of
and 42 percent live with a disability, according to the National withdrawn, tax-free to help you pay for qualified medical developing some serious illnesses.
Coalition on Aging and the Centers for Disease Control expenses in retirement. By making the right financial moves and taking care
• Incorporate health care expenses into your overall of yourself, you can go a long way toward managing your
financial strategy. As you estimate your expenses in health care costs in retirement – and enjoying many happy
retirement, designate a certain percentage for health care, and rewarding years.
with the exact amount depending on your age, health This article was written by Edward Jones for use by
status, income and other factors. You’ll certainly want to your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones.
include these costs as a significant part of your planned Member SIPC.
retirement budget. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors
• Learn what to expect from Medicare. You can are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal
enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65. advice. You should consult your estate-planning attorney
Before you sign up, you’ll find it helpful to do some or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
research on what Medicare covers, or perhaps even attend Call me for a free portfolio review at (561) 748-7600,
a seminar or webinar. On the most basic level, you’ll need Sally Sima Stahl, AAMS, 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste.
to choose either the original Medicare program, possibly 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.