Page 11 - Hobe Sound Reflections - March '25

Hobe Sound, Page 11

tip of tHe tail

Heartworms is completely preventable with heartworm prevention, usually in can lodge in the heart and major blood vessels. This can cause
the form of a monthly pill. But did you know that your pet is still at irreversible changes to the heart muscle, as well as damaging
risk of contracting the disease in fall and winter months? There is your pet’s lungs causing a cough or shortness of breath on
sometimes a false perception that because we see less mosquitoes walks, etc. In untreated cases, congestive heart failure can
during that time, that the risk of your pet getting heartworms is result in fluid accumulation in the pet’s abdomen. Heartworm
not present. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. We see heartworms disease can be treated, but it does carry an expense that far
year-round, especially here in Florida. Additionally, mosquitoes outweighs the cost of keeping your pet on prevention – not to
routinely travel inside our homes to escape the elements and in mention the potentially long-term effects on your pet’s heart
search of a blood meal. Therefore, even indoor animals or pets muscle. For an average 40-pound dog, it would cost as low as
that only go outside to use the restroom are still at risk. And $12 per month to keep him or her protected, depending on the
here’s another alarming fact: One heartworm positive dog in the product chosen. Alternatively, if the same pet were to become
neighborhood (this can be someone’s pet or a stray) will result in infected with heartworms, the cost to eradicate them could be
74 percent of the mosquitoes having infected heartworm larvae. 10 times the yearly amount depending on the treatment.
This means that your pet, if not on heartworm prevention, is at Thankfully, there are many options for preventing
As many of you may or may not be aware, heartworm disease an even greater risk. heartworms in our small animal companions. The mainstay
is fairly prevalent here in Florida. It is a potentially fatal disease As previously mentioned, heartworm disease can be a fatal is a monthly preventative pill, with many of the products
that is spread to dogs and cats via mosquitoes. The good news? It disease, in which adult worms measuring up to 14 inches long including protection against fleas and intestinal parasites.
These medications come with stickers in the packaging that
you can place on your monthly calendar to remind you when
Good Works from page 10 For more information about the Mark Garwood it’s time to give the prevention. If purchased directly from
Foundation and its scholarship program, visit your veterinarian, these products come with a guarantee from
Since 2015, the Mark Garwood Foundation has markgarwoodfoundation.org. the manufacturers. Contact your veterinarian to determine
awarded more than $560,000 in scholarships to 76 adults which option might be best for you and your pet’s lifestyle.
in Florida. The foundation has supported 28 alumni who Photos by Tracey Benson Photography If your dog has been off prevention or missed doses, your
have earned 38 degrees, including two doctorates. veterinarian will likely want to perform a simple blood test
to ensure he or she has not already contracted heartworms.
It can take up to six months for heartworms to be detected
via blood test. So, if you’ve recently adopted a dog with an
unknown medication history, you’ll likely want to retest six
months after the initial sampling.
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.
For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Turner Benoit Tracy Tullier, Laurie Riber, Dawn Oliver, Silva Brinkman