Page 20 - The Jewish Voice - March '24

Page 20, The Jewish Voice

Lifestyles from page 19 protecting and monitoring the kidneys for at least 48 to care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
72 hours. Intravenous fluids, anti-vomiting medications, For more information, call 772-283-0920, visit www.
Shulman Digestive Disease Center at Cleveland Clinic and other types of supportive care will be initiated to help palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
Weston Hospital. “Patients can live long, quality lives prevent permanent kidney damage. Kidney blood values at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
after a colorectal cancer diagnosis, thanks to treatment should be routinely evaluated to monitor response to
advancements.” treatment. In certain cases, hemodialysis may be considered The Pet Cottage Post
for early treatment of kidney failure.
Advanced surgical care If lily exposure is observed and medical therapy is The Pet Cottage Is a New Concept
Treatment options for colon and rectal cancers vary initiated quickly, a cat’s prognosis is good for survival
depending upon a person’s health, age, and cancer stage. and for return of normal kidney function. Unfortunately, We celebrate and protect the magical
While surgery is the most common treatment, chemotherapy if treatment is delayed for even 18 hours, the prognosis relationship between people and pets
and radiation therapy may be needed as well. The type of worsens and irreversible kidney disease may occur. Because by providing homestyle care for pets
surgery performed will depend on the extent of the cancer lilies are so toxic to cats, we recommend not bringing who lose their humans due to death,
and where it’s located. these plants into your home. If you think your cat has been disability, or deployment through our
Some patients will require the removal of part or all of the exposed to lilies, please seek veterinary care immediately. Lifelong Guardianship Program. We
colon (colectomy) or rectum (rectal resection). Others may Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center provide pet companionship for senior
require the removal of both. These procedures can be done is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your people, and we fully support them by covering all veterinary
during open surgery, through one large incision, or using pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery, expenses, providing regular check-ins and giving a peace of
minimally invasive techniques, which include laparoscopy, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine, mind that the pet will always have a home with us.
robotic, and transanal endoscopic surgery through a few small extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
incisions. Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical Lifestyles on page 22
“Patients benefit from minimally invasive surgery in
many ways, including less pain and scarring, a shorter
hospital stay, and quicker recovery,” explains Dr. Wexner, HUMANS OF OCTOBER 7TH
who led the Cleveland Clinic team in Florida that pioneered
this approach. “Most importantly, we can perform these less
invasive procedures while still minimizing the risk for cancer A photography exhibit & conversation with Erez Kaganovitz
recurrence.”

Preserving quality of life
Advancements in surgical care have made it possible for
many patients to achieve normal bowel habits and bowel
continence after colorectal surgery. Fewer patients today
require a permanent colostomy, in which stool is diverted
from the lower part of the digestive tract by connecting the
end of the colon to an opening in the belly. Thanks to newer
surgical techniques developed and/or refined at Cleveland
Clinic Weston Hospital, it is more common for patients to
need only a temporary ileostomy to let the body rest and heal,
rather than a permanent colostomy.
“Preserving and improving the quality of life are always
our top priorities, and the work being done by my colleagues
in Florida, Ohio, London, and Abu Dhabi attest to these
priorities,” says Dr. Wexner. “For patients with colorectal
cancer, that means eliminating their cancer while helping
them preserve bowel continence whenever possible.” Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 12 pm
The Maroone Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston
Hospital is an ACS Commission on Cancer Accredited Temple Israel
Program and was the first in Florida and second in the nation 1901 N Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
to earn accreditation from the ACS National Accreditation
Program for Rectal Cancer. Call 877.463.2010 to schedule an RSVP for program & lunch. $18 per person.
appointment, or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Colorectal
to learn more. Temple-Israel.com/humans

Tip of the Tail

Lilies Are Toxic to Pets

Help Palm Beach County seniors
age with dignity and grace.

Join Legacy Corps TODAY.

Paid volunteer opportunities and free training
are available through MorseLife Health System.

With Easter approaching, cat owners and veterinarians
should be especially attentive to possible exposure to lilies
in flower arrangements. True lilies, including Easter, Tiger,
Day, and Stargazer varieties, are extremely toxic to cats.
Although dogs may develop mild signs of gastrointestinal Are you 55 years and a resident of Be part of a national network
upset after ingestion of lilies, such as vomiting and diarrhea, Palm Beach County?

exposure to any part of the lily can be potentially fatal in • Offer companionship
cats. Legacy Corps connects individuals • Provide transportation to doctor’s
Every part of the lily plant, even the water contained and organizations through service and appointments
in a vase of flowers, is toxic. If a cat ingests the stems,
leaves, flowers, or pollen, this can lead to irreversible volunteering. Your service will support • Assist with grocery shopping, errands, and light
kidney disease, which can occur in less than one to three seniors who live at home by preserving cooking
days from exposure. The effects of lily toxicity will • Living allowance and transportation
proceed quickly. Within three hours of ingestion, a cat can independence, decreasing isolation, and reimbursements provided
become nauseous, which can cause lethargy, vomiting, and providing respite to caregivers.
anorexia. While these initial symptoms might temporarily • Annual $1700 education award, for eligible
resolve, a cat may develop further signs of kidney failure, members, transferrable to a child/grandchild
like excessive thirst and urination, beginning as soon as 12 • Donate a minimum of ten hours weekly service
hours ingestion. Dehydration may also occur, resulting in
further compromise of the kidneys.
If you are concerned your cat may have ingested or
been exposed to lilies, you should wipe your cat’s face To apply contact Kathryn Powell
with a washcloth to remove any possible pollen. Then, at (561) 336-6582
you should immediately contact your veterinarian or the This is a Legacy Corps program, funded by The Corporation for National and or kpowell@morselife.org
Community Service. Legacy Corps supports Veterans and Military Families as an
closest emergency veterinarian, if your regular veterinarian AmeriCorps-funded project in collaboration with Arizona State University.
is not available. Treatment for lily toxicosis will focus on