Page 11 - Stuart Exposure - February '24

Stuart Exposure, Page 11

tip of tHe tail

Chocolate Toxicity toxic amount varies with the type of chocolate. The darker or to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog

more bitter chocolates, including baking chocolates, are the has ingested a potentially poisonous amount of chocolate.
most dangerous. For example, a medium sized dog weighing Treatment will vary on the amount and type ingested,
50 pounds would only need to eat one ounce of baker’s as well as current symptoms. Your veterinarian may induce
chocolate to potentially show signs of toxicity. Despite milk vomiting or implement other treatments to decontaminate
and white chocolate not having as much theobromine per the effects of theobromine and caffeine. The goal of this
ounce, dogs can still become ill from the fat and the sugar is to mitigate the continued resorption and recirculation of
content in each. Dogs that have sensitive stomachs are more the chemicals. It may be necessary to provide additional
susceptible to those ill effects. In severe cases, ingestion of supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid therapy to
enough milk or white chocolate can even cause pancreatitis. stabilize your pet and promote excretion of the chemicals
Symptoms of chocolate toxicity vary depending on the as well as medications to treat tremors or seizures. All dogs
While delicious for us, those yummy chocolate treats can amount and type ingested. As mentioned above, many dogs ingesting a toxic amount of chocolate should be closely
cause serious illness in our canine companions. Chocolate will develop vomiting or diarrhea. However, it is common to monitored for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia
contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. have an increased heart rate or increased thirst and urination (or high heart rate) or agitation/restlessness. Most dogs
Both chemicals can act as a heart stimulant and blood vessel as well. In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle with chocolate toxicity carry a good prognosis if treated
dilator, but dogs aren’t able to metabolize them as well as tremors and seizures. These symptoms can take up to several appropriately. If your dog has ingested a potentially toxic
people do. Although rarely fatal, dogs are more sensitive to hours to develop but oftentimes they can be lessened by amount of chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
the chemical’s effects and ingestion can cause illness. The immediate care by a veterinarian, therefore it is important Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
YOUR FIRST CHOICE palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

FOR A real estate

SECOND Treasure Coast

Real Estate Report

Doing Remodeling Or Home Repairs? Beware
Of “Upselling” And “Cross-Selling”
OPINION By Jim Weix

You contact an electrician

to replace several ground
fault circuit interrupters,
called a GFCI or GFI, in your
bathrooms and kitchen. This
is an inexpensive electrical
device that protects you from
severe electrical shocks. You
even have ones you already
purchased at the local hardware
store that are certified to
operate correctly by the Underwriters Laboratory.
The electrician then explains that he has better ones, which
CHOOSE A LEADER are slightly more, so you can return the ones that you already
bought. This is called “upselling.”
The electrician then goes to turn off the circuit breakers for
IN CARDIAC SURGERY those outlets. He tells you that you should also have him replace
your circuit breaker box. He just happens to have one in the truck
and can do the job for only $1,700. This is called “cross-selling.”
Second opinions save lives. That’s why Cleveland Clinic Is the electrician being dishonest? Not necessarily, as you
Martin Health is your first choice for a second opinion may need the circuit breaker box replaced.
The problem with “upselling” and “cross-selling” is that

on cardiac surgery. With minimally invasive options you are pushed into making a decision that may or may not be
and shortened recovery times, our heart surgeons correct. Do you need those upgraded outlets and how much
provide world class care on the Treasure Coast. From would someone else charge to replace your circuit breaker box?
Do you even need a new one?
pioneering research to cardiovascular surgery, trust You will find that “upselling” and “cross-selling” are
our heart experts for every care in the world. common whenever you purchase a product or service. When
I order business cards online, the company tries to sell me
Call 855.881.1972 to schedule an appointment. everything from a fake gold business card holder, postcards,
and even an Internet web page.
Quite often we are also guilty of “upselling” and “cross-
selling” ourselves. My wife and I recently completely remodeled
our kitchen and bathroom. The contractor gave us a detailed
ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/HeartSurgery price quote and a list of products that we could choose from.
Once we went to various stores to pick out the tile,

cabinets, sink, and backsplash, that budget went out the
window! The clerks just smiled when we talked about going
over our budget. If I practice what I preach, I would tell you
to have some self-control.
However, when it comes to having work done in your
house, like replacing a couple of outlets, use caution when
being told that you also should replace this or that. Asking
your home insurance agent might be a good start.
Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss your
options. I can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@
jimweix.com.
Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes Company. Jim
has 25 years of experience selling real estate full-time. If you
have questions or want the services of an experienced expert,
you can reach Jim at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.