Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - September '21
P. 12
Page 12, Palm City Spotlight
tip of the taiL
Bufo Toads similar in action to the cardiac drug digitalis. The tadpoles and them for 15 minutes, but I tell owners of small dogs to rinse/
eggs are also toxic, but usually to a lesser degree. wipe the mouth and get them examined right away.
The bufo toad When a pet is exposed, the toxin is irritating to the lips There are a few things we can do to decrease the chance of
first came to Florida and gums. Pets will salivate excessively and paw at their your pet having an experience with a bufo toad. First, control
in 1955 when it mouth. Sometimes, but not always, the gums will turn a insects in your yard by keeping lights off and using appropriate
was accidentally brick red color. It is always difficult to determine the amount insecticides. Do not leave your pet’s food or water bowls outside
released at the Miami of toxicity, but small breeds are often more severely affected and keep your pets on a leash when out for walks especially in
International Airport due to lower body weight. The toxin can be absorbed through the morning and evening. Keeping bufo toads out of your yard
by a dealer importing the mucous membranes and doesn’t necessarily need to be requires completely enclosing the yard with mesh screens that
specimens from ingested. If enough toxin is absorbed, the pet will begin to extend at least 20 inches above the ground and 4 inches below
Australia to be sold as pets. They were later released into sugar vomit followed by heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, the ground. Natural ways to control bufo toad populations are
cane fields to help control mice and rats. These toads thrive in seizures and possibly death. being investigated, but do not look promising at this time.
areas with man-made bodies of water such as canals and drainage The most important thing you, as a pet owner, can do Exposure to bufo toads can result in minimal to no
fields. They often drive out native species of toads because they is immediately flush and wipe out the mouth to remove as problems at all, but if left untreated or unnoticed, can be
will eat a wide variety of food sources. Most toads will only eat much of the poison as possible before it is absorbed. Point fatal especially in smaller animals.
live insects. The bufo will eat dead insects, dog/cat food and the head down and flush across the mouth and not down the Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
even baby rodents right out of their nests. They have a very throat. You do not want to drown your pet while trying to dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
heavily built body with short legs and no webbing between the save him. You can also use a towel to wipe the poison out of focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
toes. They will grow over 9 inches long and can weigh up to 2 the mouth and off the lips. After decontaminating the mouth, rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and
pounds. A key feature of their anatomy is an external salivary call your veterinarian or pet emergency clinic. There is not emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines
gland behind each eye where you expect an ear to be. This is a specific antidote, but we can alleviate some of the clinical exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and
where their clear or milky white toxin is excreted when the toad signs. It may take 10 or 15 minutes for some of the more their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
is disturbed or annoyed such as being picked up in the mouth of serious signs to appear, especially in smaller pets. I often tell www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
a dog. The toxin affects the nervous system and the heart and is owners of large dogs to rinse/wipe the mouth and observe at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
CLeveLand CLiniC martin heaLth neWs
PSA Test Remains “Ultimately, whether to have a PSA test is something Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
Appropriate Prostate Cancer you should decide after discussing your risk factors with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is offering free prostate
screenings on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the
your doctor,” says Mues.
Screening For Many Men To learn more or download a free prostate cancer Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center located at 501
treatment guide, visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/ E. Osceola St. in Stuart. Appointments are required and
While there’s debate over the need for the prostate- ProstateCancer today. space is limited. Call (772) 223-5948, Ext. 13736.
specific antigen (PSA) test to screen for prostate cancer,
doctors at Cleveland Clinic Florida say PSA testing is
still appropriate for many men.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men,
and the second leading cause of cancer death among men
in the United States. Approximately one in eight men are
likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime.
“Survival rates are high when prostate cancer is
diagnosed early,” says Adam Mues, M.D., a urologist
at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. “PSA testing along
with a digital rectal exam are the initial screening tests
for prostate cancer that help determine whether or not a
prostate biopsy is needed.”
Generally, the PSA screening is encouraged in men
between the ages of 40 and 75, and in men with an
increased risk of prostate cancer. Since PSA testing was
introduced in 1987, deaths from prostate cancer have
dropped 40 percent.
“The PSA test is not perfect and it doesn’t tell the
whole story,” says Dr. Mues. That’s because many men
have elevated PSA levels, but do not have prostate cancer.
In addition, low levels of PSA don’t necessarily rule Tickets include food and
out the possibility of cancer. Cleveland Clinic Florida alcohol samplings.
urologists frequently use new tests to determine the need
for prostate biopsy.
CCCC
Why Pay More To Sell? 2021 ADMISSION:
Presented by
Even with 23 years of Text BigTaste to 243725 to
experience, my fees buy tickets online or at
are still low mentorbig.org/events.
For more information:
SELL YOUR HOME (561) 295-8796
Using the latest and most advanced TUESDAY October 12 5:30-
marketing technologies 8:30
p.m.
Call Jim at PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT
772-341-2941 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach & Martin Counties is a 501C(3), not-for-profit organization as
recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service. Please consult your tax advisor regarding
deductibility of contributions. Tax ID #: 59-2676889.
Jim Weix, Broker Associate
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart
