Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '23

Page 12, Martin Downs

tiP of tHe taiL

New Cancer Screening Test In These tests will be a revolutionary diagnostic tool in a case like to discuss further please schedule an appointment or ask
Dogs Now Available such as described above in a sick pet where other diagnostics during your pet’s next checkup. Currently these tests are only
are not providing us with much needed answers. However,
useful for dogs. However, moving forward hopefully this
they also will provide valuable information during annual research will be applicable in cats as well.
wellness checks of older dogs, or for younger dogs from breeds Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
with a high risk for developing cancer in their lifetimes. As dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
a screening test, a positive finding suggests looking for the focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
disease during the early stages when it may be more treatable. rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
Finding cancer early not only potentially makes treatment and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
easier for a patient, it can have a huge impact on the human- combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
animal bond. for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
Both of these tests are available at Palm City Animal 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
Medical Center. If you would like more information or would us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

arts & entertainment

In veterinary medicine as a general practitioner we have
to wear many hats on a daily basis. We are pediatricians, Martin Artisans Guild Presents • Cynthia Cooper
dentists, dermatologists, cardiologists, and the list goes • Deborah Bottorff
on. To practice our trade, we have different tools in ’Tis The Season Exhibit • Dinija Berkien
our kit, from complete blood counts and chemistries, • Ed Douglas
thyroid panels, radiographs and ultrasounds, cytology By Jackie Holfelder • Glen Allen
and cultures, even CT scans. The goal is to perform a Whatever holidays you celebrate between now and New • Jane Baldridge
physical exam, to assess the diagnostics we need and Year’s Day, they will be merrier and brighter and more festive • Josephine Stokes
proceed accordingly, determine the underlying cause of if you include ’Tis the Season in your revelry. • Judi LeBlanc
the problem, and finally to treat as best as possible to Enjoy the conviviality at Martin Artisans Guild’s annual • Linda Reymore
maintain a healthy and happy quality of life for your pet holiday exhibit from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30 at The Palm Room • Lynn Morgan
and your family. Art Gallery & Artisans Boutique, located at 3746 S.E. Ocean • Maria Miele
However, one of the most frustrating and disheartening Boulevard in Stuart’s Harbour Bay Plaza. • Mark Stall
situations is when we have a sick patient, we know The opening reception takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 • Mary Mirabito
something is wrong based on symptoms and presentation, p.m. on Nov. 1 and will feature the live music, cash bar and • Nancy Smyth
yet all our tests and diagnostic tools are failing us. delectable appetizers for which all Martin Artisans Guild • Patricia Pasbrig
Everything we know to perform either comes back normal events have become known. • Patricia Reagan
or with nondescript mild changes that do not give us an Return to the Palm Room for a second round of seasonal • Sue Klahne
answer. Often in these cases, we have to have a difficult joy at the “Meet the Artists” event on Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. • Suzan Allen
conversation with the family where we say, “I cannot The talented artists with work in ’Tis the Season include: Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday,
find anything wrong based on all the testing we have • Carolyn Walsh except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, when it is
performed, yet I am concerned we have cancer hiding • Caryl Pomales closed.
somewhere.” This can be a very tough pill to swallow, • Charlie Cote For more information, visit www.martinartisansguild.org.
especially when the family asks, “Well isn’t there a test • Chris Kling Photos provided by Martin Artisans Guild
for that?” and historically we have had to answer “quite
honestly, no.” This has always been the story, until now.
Recently, two different companies have released a
simple cancer screening panel that tests for a multitude
of cancers that plague our pets. These tests screen for
genetic biomarkers, such as DNA altered by cancer cells
in blood, or sometimes other bodily fluids. The Nu.Q Vet
Cancer Test is available through Texas A&M University
and is labeled as the first easy to use, reliable, and
cost-effective veterinary cancer screen on the market. A
published case series evaluating seven different cancers
found that the Nu.Q. Vet Cancer Test detects 76 percent
of systemic cancers. OncoK9, the liquid biopsy test for
dogs, is available through Antech Diagnostics. It is a
bit more expensive, but has a slightly higher detection
rate. In April, results of a clinical validation study found
that OncoK9 demonstrated that for three of the most Mark Stall Carolyn Walsh Mary Mirabito
aggressive canine cancers (lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma,
and osteosarcoma), the detection rate was 85.4 percent. HonorinG
When including the other five most common canine
cancers (soft tissue sarcoma, mast cell tumor, mammary
gland carcinoma, anal sac adenocarcinoma, and malignant
melanoma), the detection rate decreased to 61.9 percent
as these are more localized cancers in the early phases, Auto Executive Named
and do not give off as many genetic biomarkers. Honorary Chair Of Holiday

Answer for Home Tour

Crossword Puzzle Devin Carlson, managing partner of the Murgado
Automotive dealerships in Stuart, has been named the
Honorary Chair of the Woman’s Club of Stuart’s 15th
annual Holiday Home Tour. Carlson opened the Audi
Stuart location in 2013, which is the same year that Audi
became the presenting sponsor of the Woman’s Club’s
Holiday Home Tour.
“We are so grateful for Devin’s continuous support for
10 years as presenting sponsor, and we are thrilled that
he has agreed to be the honorary chair this year,” said support college scholarships for local high school girls
Lisa Pinkley, who heads the Home Tour Committee. and adult women returning to school. This year the club
As the Holiday Home Tour has grown over the years, awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 33 students.
so has the Audi dealership under Carlson’s direction. Carlson said he has found the affiliation with the Home
In 2020 he oversaw the launch of two-storied new Tour to be rewarding. “As a leading business in Stuart,
franchises, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. His commitment we want to contribute to our community,” he said. “The
to customer service has garnered numerous awards for Woman’s Club’s scholarship program is aligned with our
Audi, including twice achieving customer satisfaction values in support of education and kids. I am very pleased
ranking as the number one Audi dealership in the nation. to serve as honorary chair.”
The Holiday Home Tour will be Sunday, Dec. 10, Tickets to the Home Tour may be purchased at www.
from noon to 5 p.m. Participants view five area homes womansclubofstuart.com. The cost is $50 for those who
resplendent with festive holiday décor and enjoy a wish to drive themselves, and $75 for a VIP bus ticket
reception at the clubhouse after the tour. Funds raised for those who’d rather leave the driving to someone else.