Page 16 - Palm City Spotlight - January '23

Page 16, Palm City Spotlight

tip of thE tAiL

Xylitol – Not So Sweet For Dogs How is xylitol poisonous to dogs? Xylitol causes outcome will depend on how much xylitol your dog

hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. The hypoglycemia ingested and your dog’s weight. If the dog ate the xylitol
occurs because the body confuses the xylitol with real recently, your veterinarian will induce vomiting to try
sugar, which causes too much insulin to be released. and reduce the amount of xylitol your dog is exposed to.
Signs of hypoglycemia can include confusion, weakness, Treatment of xylitol toxicity also includes monitoring
incoordination, shaking, seizures, and collapse. The blood sugars and liver values, and treating hypoglycemia
symptoms of hypoglycemia can start within 30 minutes and liver damage if needed. Xylitol toxicity is treatable,
of ingestion, but can take up to 12 hours depending on but prompt treatment and accurate information about what
how quickly the xylitol is absorbed by the body. The your pet ingested is critical.
hypoglycemia can last more than 12 hours, so often Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is a hidden danger
intravenous fluids to support blood sugar are needed. A for your dog in many products. Xylitol poisoning causes
second toxic effect of xylitol in dogs is hepatic necrosis, low blood sugar and at higher doses liver damage. It is
or destruction of liver tissue. Luckily not all dogs that important to read the ingredients of anything your dog
ingest xylitol will experience liver problems, but liver eats, and if your dog ingests anything containing xylitol
Xylitol is a sweetener that is a common sugar changes typically occur with higher doses of xylitol. seek veterinary care immediately. Xylitol ingestion can
substitute. Replacing sugar with xylitol in foods can help Unfortunately dogs that experience liver necrosis be deadly for your dog, so keep your candy and gum well
diabetics, aid in weight loss, and prevent tooth decay. typically require more intensive care and have poorer secured from your furry family members.
While xylitol is found in a large variety of products for outcomes. The combination of low blood sugar and liver Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
humans, ingesting xylitol is potentially lethal to dogs. damage caused by xylitol is a dangerous combination, so Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
Xylitol can be found in diabetic snacks, peanut butter, any xylitol ingestion should be taken seriously. for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
mouthwashes, toothpastes, chewing gum, mints, candies, With ingestion of xylitol prompt treatment is critical. If surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, you are unsure if what your dog ingested is a toxin, or if it medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
CBD gummies, and chewable vitamins. Sugar-free gum is enough to be a problem, contact your veterinarian or the Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
in particular can contain a surprising amount of xylitol, Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 289-0358. It is also important medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
and a single piece of gum can be deadly for a small dog. to save the packaging to give to your veterinarian, and owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
This article will discuss the toxic effects of xylitol in dogs try to estimate how much of the product your dog may www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
and what to do if your dog may have ingested xylitol. have eaten. The treatment recommendations and expected Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

rEAL EstAtE

Treasure Coast Real Estate I recently sold my home in Palm City’s Cypress Lake. approved and she was afraid of being fined $100 dollars per
Report When I first bought the home, I applied for a permit from the day. In reality, the lights were fully approved by the Cypress
Lake HOA Architectural Control Committee on Sept. 18,
Architectural Control Committee to do some landscaping.
I wanted to put expensive curbing around the gardens and 2019.
Know What You Are Getting Into Before use a red river rock for ground cover in the gardens. She said that she was also told that my previously
Buying A Home In An HOA The curbing was approved, but the HOA president told approved garden edging was never approved and had to be
By Jim Weix me that the stone would not be allowed, as wood mulch was removed. I explained to her that the head of the Cypress Lake
According to Cinch Home the “community standard.” When I objected, he asked if I HOA Architectural Control Committee was present when the
Services, an online home thought that I was special and above the “rules.” garden curbing was installed as she wanted to make sure it
warranty company, Florida I suggested that he might want to look at the HOA’s vice- stayed within the lot lines.
ranks No. 2 in the nation for president’s home, which had a stone ground cover, and walk I investigated further and found that the problem was that
the most complaints against around the block and look at all of the homes with stone there was a new HOA president and some board members.
homeowners and condo ground cover. In reality, the “community standard” of wood This is a classic case of why rules should be well-defined,
associations. As we saw mulch didn’t exist other than in his head. and not up to the whims of a new board or president.
recently in Stuart, sometimes This so-called “community standard,” unless well defined, Once you decide to move into a community with an
disputes can get so crazy that can also change with who is on the Board of Directors at association, you should attend the Board meetings. All it
people are killed. the time. That happened in Cypress Lake when there was a takes for one bad decision or opinion to gain traction, is for
Fo rt u na t e l y, m o st new president that didn’t like her neighbor’s landscaping. nobody to point it out.
disputes don’t end up like that. However, disputes with She created turmoil in the neighborhood by declaring that Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss your
homeowners or condo associations can sometimes be some of the “community standard guidelines” were invalid. options. I can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@
annoying and even expensive. That is why buyers need to Fortunately, she moved, and things returned to normal. jimweix.com.
thoroughly understand the rules of an association before So, I was amazed when I returned to my old house to Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes Company.
buying. They should also check with other owners about pick up a package mistakenly delivered there. I noticed Jim has 25 years of experience selling real estate full-time.
the “political environment” of the development regarding new exterior lights and asked if the new owner didn’t like If you have questions or want the services of an experienced
the association. the lights that were there when she bought my house. She expert, you can reach Jim at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@
In most cases, an association provides the benefits of said that she got a notice that the lights that I had were never jimweix.com.
living in an attractive development with well-maintained
homes and landscaping. An association might also kids cornEr
provide such things as discounted Internet services.
However, when reviewing the association documents
beware of such things as “community standards,”
unless they are clearly defined. In too many cases, the I Spy Dyslexia • terrible spelling
“community standards” can be based on who is on the • often can’t remember sight words
Board of Directors at the time. By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., • trouble with math: memorizing multiplication tables
School Psychologist • extremely messy bedroom, backpack, or desk
Answer for Intrigue, mystery, Middle and high school age clues can encompass the
above as well as:
unknowns. It’s no wonder
Crossword Puzzle that kids love spy games, • dreads going to school
• limited vocabulary
television shows, and
the popular graphic • poor written expression
novel series Spy School. • problems mastering a foreign language
Unfortunately for parents, • does not like to read for pleasure
characteristics of intrigue, • would rather listen to an audio book than read one
mystery, and unknowns If you observed three or more dyslexia clues in your
are concerning when you child, seek school neuropsychological testing. Along with
worry your child might have dyslexia. However, astute being informative, it can give you peace of mind and
and intuitive parents like you can spy the symptoms of direction. As one mom put it, “It hurt to see him struggle.
dyslexia. You just need to know what clues to look for. We just need to know so we can move forward.” She had
Spying clues early and confirming a diagnosis can to convince her husband to agree to testing because he
position you to solve the dyslexia case. Look for these thought the boy was being lazy or needed more time. Our
clues. Elementary age clues: testing is not simply meant to put a label on a child but
• trouble memorizing his address, phone number, or to help direct you to solve the mystery of why your child
the alphabet is struggling and give support.
• can’t create words that rhyme Call to discuss your child as we test children ages 5.5
• messy handwriting, letters that are formed differently through college for dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD,
and don’t sit on the line depression, anxiety, and other processing disorders. Visit
• letter or number reversals continuing past first grade JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.
• slow, choppy, inaccurate reading and mispronouncing
small words