Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - December '21

Page 12, Martin Downs

tIp of tHe tAIl

Canine Obesity chronic inflammation will break the body down over trouble breathing with fat accumulating around the

time. Getting a pet back to ideal body weight can stop neck as well. Obese pets may even have disrupted sleep
this process in its tracks. patterns and poor quality sleep.
Osteoarthritis Cancer
We know that the more weight on the joints the more In humans the link between obesity and certain types of
breakdown of cartilage. This process leads to arthritis cancers are becoming more and more apparent. It stands to
in the joints. But we also know that fat cells produce reason that this may be one of the reasons we see cancer
products that lead to inflammation within the joints develop in our canine friends as they get older.
contributing to arthritis in a big way. Also the more weight Obesity is a serious problem as we are seeing more and
a pet has on its joints, the more painful the arthritis will more dogs that are very overweight. It is something that
be for that pet. We see many pets on multiple medications needs to be addressed so that our canine companions can
for arthritis that could be reduced or stopped if they were be with us as long as possible. Remember food does not
at a normal weight. equal love. Don’t make the mistake of overfeeding your
Diabetes pet just because they like to eat. We can control what they
Most dogs today are obese. In fact, we have gotten so It has been shown that excess fat leads to insulin eat. Let’s make it our mission to keep our dogs healthy
used to seeing overweight dogs that we now think this is resistance resulting in diabetes in some pets. Diabetes is and fit! Just remember, our pets are very good at getting
normal. I am often surprised when I see a canine patient a difficult to manage disease and reduces pet’s longevity us to do what they want us to do!
at an ideal weight. Today we take much better care of as well as quality of life. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
our canine family members than in the past. Our canines Hypertension And Kidney Disease Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
have become true family members and as such are spoiled Current evidence links obesity with high blood for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
like our children. It is a good thing for ourselves and our pressure. Hypertension causes pressure on the kidneys surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
pets to be part of the family, but one of the main ways leading to chronic kidney disease. Also studies show that medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
we spoil our pets are to give them extra treats and food. obesity causes excess hyaluronic acid in kidneys that Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
Just like in people, obesity is a silent killer. causes damage over time. medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
There are many serious medical consequences that Respiratory owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
result from obesity. Most importantly, it reduces quality Fat accumulates along the outside of the lungs and www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
of life and reduces life expectancy. in the abdomen. This compresses the spongy lungs and Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Chronic Inflammation makes taking in enough air difficult. Also dogs that
Fat cells actually produce proteins that lead to multiple have reduced airways due to conformation such as pugs,
inflammatory processes in the body. As you can imagine English bulldogs, French bulldogs, etc., have even more
BusIness spotlIgHt

Medicare Corner With Gillie • Cosmetic surgery • First three pints of blood
• Custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, using the • Additional charges for a private hospital room
It’s Time For Medicare Annual Enrollment bathroom, and eating) at home or in a nursing home • Private nursing care
Period (AEP) Oct. 15 To Dec. 7 • Health care while traveling outside of the United States • Skilled nursing care costs beyond 100 days a year
What Medicare Does Not Cover: (except in limited cases) • Meals delivered to the home
Health care costs that are • Eye care – routine exams, eye refractions, and most eyeglasses • Medical charges billed by relatives
not covered include, but are • Hearing aids, hearing exams, and hearing tests that haven’t • Personal comfort items
not limited to: been ordered by a doctor • Intermediate care
• Acupuncture • Long-term care, such as that delivered in most nursing • Custodial care
• Ambulance services homes (custodial care) • Services not considered reasonable or medically necessary
(except in emergencies or • Orthopedic shoes (with only a few exceptions) by Medicare (In 2014, due to a federal court case, Medicare
when the individual’s health • Outpatient prescription drugs (with only a few exceptions) must now cover “sexual reassignment” if it is deemed
would be in danger if other • Routine foot care (with only a few exceptions) “medically necessary” by a physician.)
transportation was used) • Routine physical exams (beyond the annual wellness visits) Medicare Advantage Plans can fill in the gaps that Medicare
• Chiropractic services, • Screening tests (with some exceptions) does not cover in most instances. Call today for your free, no
except for some limitations • Shots (vaccinations — except those approved) hassle consultation. I can meet with you one on one or virtually.
• Dental care and dentures • Some diabetic supplies (like syringes or insulin unless it is I am here to help find the best plan for your needs today!
(with only a few exceptions) used with an external insulin pump) Call Gillie Thorpe (772) 237-7123.
Treasure Coast Outdoors

Will The Discharges From planted seagrass too many times, only to see everything So we can all wait and see if this new plan is just going
destroyed by the next release.
to be another false promise.
Lake Okeechobee End? One positive is that the Herbert Hoover Dike, which Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
I don’t think ever should have been built, is nearing conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer.
By Jim Weix completion of a multimillion-dollar reinforcement and Jim is included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s
According to the latest repair project. That will allow more water to be stored. Hall of Fame, for his work in helping restore thousands
Lake Okeechobee System Unfortunately, higher levels kill lake vegetation which of acres of wetlands. Jim is a Broker Associate with The
Operating Manual model creates another problem. It also means more water would Keyes Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or
that will guide the U.S. have to be dumped if there is a hurricane or record rains. by email: jimweix@jimweix.com.
Army Corps of Engineers in
managing the 730-square-
mile lake’s levels over the
next decade, the discharges
from Lake Okeechobee into
the St. Lucie River could be
reduced. That is partly due to
the fact that more water will flow south into the Everglades.
Call me skeptical, but does it seem like there is an honest
effort being made to stop killing the oysters and seagrasses
in our estuary? Unfortunately, gauging how much it will be
reduced is like trying to hit a moving dartboard. Now let’s
just hope something actually happens.
The whole situation reminds me of a juggler. We
don’t want Lake O water fouling our waterways and
causing toxic algae blooms. West coast residents want
lake water only during the dry winter months, to keep
saltwater intrusion at bay. Okeechobee and West Palm
Beach want it for drinking. Everglades Agricultural Area
(EAA) farmers want it for irrigation. Glades’ residents
don’t want it to breach the Herbert Hoover Dike and flood
their communities.
Like an abused spouse that is told, “I’m sorry, it won’t
happen again if you give me one more chance,” I’ll
believe it when I see it. I’ve raised oysters for release and