Page 17 - The Jewish Voice - March '25

The Jewish Voice, Page 17

LiFestyLes

Tip of the Tail congestive heart failure can result in fluid accumulation Tampa General Pulmonologist
in the pet’s abdomen. Heartworm disease can be treated,
Heartworm Is Preventable but it does carry an expense that far outweighs the cost Suggests Sleeping on It
of keeping your pet on prevention — not to mention the
potentially long-term effects on your pet’s heart muscle. According to a recent study published online in
For an average 40 pound dog, it would cost as low as $12 Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy
per month to keep him or her protected, depending on of Neurology, early middle-aged adults who have poor
the product chosen. Alternatively, if the same pet were to sleep quality, including difficulty falling or staying asleep,
become infected with heartworms, the cost to eradicate showed more signs of poor brain health in late middle age.
them could be ten times the yearly amount depending on Although the study does not prove that poor sleep
the treatment. accelerates brain aging, it does show an association between
Thankfully, there are many options for preventing poor sleep quality and signs of brain aging. Previous
heartworms in our small animal companions. The mainstay research links sleep problems to issues with thinking and
is a monthly preventative pill, with many of the products memory later in life, increasing the risk for dementia.
including protection against fleas and intestinal parasites. The study used brain scans to determine participants’
These medications come with stickers in the packaging brain age. Results suggested that poor sleep was linked
As many of you may or may not be aware, heartworm that you can place on your monthly calendar to remind to nearly three years of additional brain aging as early as
disease is fairly prevalent here in Florida. It is a potentially you when it’s time to give the prevention. If purchased middle age. Overall, the study highlighted the importance
fatal disease that is spread to dogs and cats via mosquitoes. directly from your veterinarian, these products come of tackling sleep problems earlier in life to maintain brain
The good news? It is completely preventable with with a guarantee from the manufacturers. Contact your health.
heartworm prevention, usually in the form of a monthly veterinarian to determine which option might be best for Dr. Luis Peña-Hernández, a pulmonologist with the
pill. But did you know that your pet is still at risk of you and your pet’s lifestyle. If your dog has been off of Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Pulmonary Care & Sleep
contracting the disease in fall and winter months? There prevention or missed doses, your veterinarian will likely Institute (PCSI), agrees that sleep is important. “Sleep
is sometimes a false perception that, because we see fewer want to perform a simple blood test to ensure he or she quality is a huge determinant of overall well-being and
mosquitoes during that time, the risk of your pet getting has not already contracted heartworms. It can take up to quality of life,” he said.
heartworms is not present. Unfortunately this isn’t the six months for heartworms to be detected via blood test. If you’re looking to get your sleep back on schedule,
case. We see heartworms year round, especially here in So, if you’ve recently adopted a dog with an unknown Dr. Peña suggests taking these steps:
Florida. Additionally, mosquitoes routinely travel inside medication history, you’ll likely want to retest six months • Keep all electronics outside of the bedroom, including
our homes to escape the elements and in search of a blood after the initial sampling. mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.
meal. Therefore, even indoor animals or pets that only go Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical • Avoid watching TV, working on a laptop, or browsing
outside to use the restroom are still at risk. And here’s Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care on your phone in bed before bedtime. Electronics will
another alarming fact: One heartworm positive dog in the for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in interfere with the quality of your sleep and may contribute
neighborhood (this can be someone’s pet or a stray) will surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative to developing insomnia.
result in 74 percent of the mosquitoes having infected medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, • Avoid eating large meals and consuming alcoholic
heartworm larvae. This means that your pet, if not on Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional beverages at least three hours before bedtime.
heartworm prevention, is at an even greater risk. medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their • Keep the room as dark as possible and the temperature
As previously mentioned, heartworm disease can be owners. For more information, call 772-283-0920, visit on the cooler side.
a fatal disease, in which adult worms measuring up to 14 www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com, or find us on • Wear comfortable, loose sleepwear.
inches long can lodge in the heart and major blood vessels. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic. • Exercise on a regular basis, ideally in the morning
This can cause irreversible changes to the heart muscle, hours.
as well as damaging your pet’s lungs and causing a cough
or shortness of breath on walks, etc. In untreated cases, Lifestyles on page 18