Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '22

Page 12, Martin Downs

tip of tHe taiL

Bufo Marinus – The Giant will eat a wide variety of to save him. You can also use a towel to wipe the poison
Marine Toad food sources. Most toads out of the mouth and off the lips. After decontaminating
will only eat live insects,
the mouth, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic.
the Bufo will eat dead There is not a specific antidote, but we can alleviate
insects, dog/cat food and some of the clinical signs. It may take 10 or 15 minutes
even baby rodents right for some of the more serious signs to appear, especially
out of their nests. They in smaller pets. I often tell owners of large dogs to rinse/
have a very heavily built wipe the mouth and observe them for 15 minutes, but I
body with short legs and no webbing between the toes. They tell owners of small dogs to rinse/wipe the mouth and get
will grow over 9 inches long and can weigh up to 2 pounds. them examined right away.
A key feature of their anatomy is an external salivary gland There are a few things we can do to decrease the
behind each eye where you expect an ear to be. This is where chance of your pet having an experience with a Bufo
their clear or milky white toxin is excreted when the toad toad. First, control insects in your yard by keeping lights
is disturbed or annoyed; for instance, being picked up in off and using appropriate insecticides. Do not leave your
the mouth of a dog. The toxin affects the nervous system pet’s food or water bowls outside and keep your pets on
and the heart and is similar in action to the cardiac drug a leash when out for walks. Keeping Bufo toads out of
digitalis. The tadpoles and eggs are also toxic, but usually your yard requires completely enclosing the yard with
The Bufo toad first came to Florida in 1955 and was to a lesser degree. mesh screens that extend at least 20 inches above the
accidentally released at the Miami International Airport by When a pet is exposed, the toxin is irritating to the ground and 4 inches below the ground. Natural ways to
a dealer importing specimens from Australia to be sold as lips and gums. Pets will salivate and paw at their mouth control Bufo toad populations is being investigated, but
pets. They were later released into sugar cane fields to help and exhibit excessive salivation. Sometimes, but not does not look promising at this time.
control mice and rats. These toads thrive in areas with man- always, the gums will turn a brick red color. It is always Exposure to Bufo toads can result in minimal to no
made bodies of water such as canals and drainage fields. difficult to determine the amount of toxicity, but just problems at all, but if left untreated or unnoticed, can be
They often drive out native species of toads because they due to lower body weight, small breeds are often more fatal especially in smaller animals.
severely affected. The toxin can be absorbed through the Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
Club news mucous membranes and doesn’t necessarily need to be Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
ingested. If enough toxin is absorbed, the pet will begin to
for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
vomit followed by heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
Mining Census Records seizures and possibly death. medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
The most important thing you, as a pet owner, can do
Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
With The Martin County is immediately flush and wipe out the mouth to remove as medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
much of the poison as possible before it is absorbed. Point
Genealogical Society the head down and flush across mouth and not down the www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
throat. You do not want to drown your pet while trying
The United States Census, a vast storehouse of information
about Americans dating to 1790, will be featured at the
Martin County Genealogical Society’s March meeting. In a kids corner
presentation entitled “Mining the Census Records to Write
Your Family Story,” Miles Meyer, director of the Vero Beach
Family History Center, will explain what data is available in Benefits Of Cognitive
census records and how to develop that information into a simultaneously address unhealthy thinking patterns
timeline that can be used to write a family narrative. He also Behavioral Therapy For by helping the learner:
will discuss how the census has changed since it was first • Understand thoughts are automatic but changeable.
conducted and preview the results of the 1950 U.S. Census Kids • Recognize distorted (irrational, unrealistic) or
which will be released in April 2022. catastrophic (worse-case scenario) thoughts.
Although Meyer’s presentation will be virtual, the meeting By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., • Evaluate these thoughts in terms of reality (e.g.,
will be in person at the Blake Library in Stuart from 1 to 3 School Psychologist how true is…?, how likely is it…?).
p.m., Friday, March 18. The meeting is free and open to the Cognitive Behavioral • Reframe thoughts based on this evaluation (e.g.,
public. Masks are optional. To participate via Zoom, go to Therapy (CBT) is a what is more likely?).
mcgsfl.org and register before March 17. form of counseling • Problem solve situations based on this evaluation
A scientist by training, Meyer has been active in genealogy used to treat a number (e.g., If it is likely…, then I can).
for more than 25 years. His expertise revolves around new of psychological and • Increase confidence in the ability to problem solve
technology, Internet research and FamilySearch. In addition behavioral conditions over time (Last time, I was able to…).
to serving as director of the Family History Center, he is a that commonly occur It also addresses unhealthy behavior patterns using
Family History Consultant and director of education for in children including: some of the following methods:
the Family History Guide. He has presented at a variety anxiety disorders, • Cognitive Restructuring: replacing irrational
of genealogy conferences, including RootsTech Salt Lake, obsessive-compulsive thoughts with more balanced ones
RootsTech London and RootsTech Connect, and has been a disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, • Containment: setting parameters around when
beta tester for several genealogy companies. He also manages depression, and autism. and where negative emotions and behaviors will be
several genealogy blogs. Research suggests that typically developing children processed and addressed
In addition to its monthly programs, the Genealogical ages 7 and older are reported to benefit most from CBT. • Graded Exposure: facing fearful situations in a
Society offers a variety of services at the Genealogy Room CBT can be a very welcomed treatment with benefits gradual and therapeutic way over time
in the Blake Library in Stuart including an extensive research for your whole family. The core principle of CBT is • Successive Approximation: breaking down
library, access to several genealogy websites and assistance the premise that unhealthy thinking patterns can lead complex tasks into smaller more attainable steps to
from MCGS volunteers. For more information about to unhealthy behavior patterns. CBT focuses on the build confidence and self-efficacy along the way
membership, activities and services go to mcgsfl.org. cognitive factors that cannot be observed (unhealthy, Check PsychologyToday.com for local counselors.
irrational and obtrusive thoughts), but are known to We offer dyslexia, learning disability, IQ, anxiety,
Answer for serve as triggers for the unhelpful, and sometimes depression, and ADHD/ADD testing. Visit JimForgan.
harmful, behaviors we experience.
com or call (561) 625-4125.
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