St. Johns Magazine May 2020

The People ● The Places ● The Lifestyle

ST. JOHNS magazine

May 2020 Issue www.stjohnsmag.com

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People. Places. Events St. Johns Magazine is dedicated to covering the topics readers care about –from hometown stories and community spotlights to food, health & business. twelve times a year, S TPublished .

J OHNS St. Johns Magazine is designed to engage readers and inspire them to

magazine

enjoy the good life that Northern St. Johns has to offer.

ST. JOHNS MAGAZINE

P u b lis h e r & C r e a t iv e D ir e c t o r D e b b ie G a y lo r d d e b b i e @ s t j o h n s m a g .c o m 9 0 4 -6 8 7 -8 5 3 8 P h o to g ra p h e r M in d y K e r r N a t u r e 's C h i ld P h o t o g r a p h y C o n t r ib u to r s D r. K a t h le e n D e c k a r d , D V M D r. C r a i g H a d g i s D ia n a B r u m m e r L o r i A lle n

Visit us online to read our content and hear community updates as they become available.

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Grateful Hearts May, 2020

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t is hard to believe it has been over a month of quarantine. I hope everyone is holding up well as we continue to remind ourselves that this will end.

My heart goes out with gratitude to our community. The selfless healthcare workers out there saving those who have become ill. Our teachers, parents and students who are making distance learning thrive by inventing new ways of expanding young minds.

To our seniors of the class of 2020 who will have a very different experience from their peers. To local businesses who remain open to serve others in any way they still can. To the churches and psychologists providing much needed spiritual and emotional support. These people have become the heroes of our society and have demonstrated our amazing capacity for compassion and determination.

These unprecedented experiences will undoubtedly make us stronger and bind us together. It will also prepare us for an uncertain future as we navigate reopening our community and our daily lives.

Filling our hearts with hope and gratitude is more important now than ever. Though my mother is not here on earth, if she were I imagine she would remind me that even in times like these, our cup runneth over. We wish all the Moms of St. Johns a Happy Mother's Day. As always we are thankful to our advertisers for making our local magazine possible. Our featured story is Action News Jax, whose reporters and staff are among our local heroes bringing us the most important news of the day.

Please enjoy this issue of St. Johns Magazine and may you and your family be healthy and well. *Please note that our May calendar is online @ www. stjohnsmag.com

Peace & Love

Debbie

All rights reserved ©2012-2020  St. Johns Magazine LLC. St. Johns Magazine is published monthly and distributed by US postal Service to select homes in Northern St. Johns. It is free of charge to consumers receiving it in the mail. It is also availalble at many drop points in Northern St. Johns and by subscription. All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and published without responsibility for errors and ommissions.

Printed by The Hartley Press, Jacksonville, FL

www.stjohnsmag.com

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Action News Jax Team

GIVES ST. JOHNS EXPERIENCE TO RELY ON

W

hen it comes to covering hurricanes, the Action News Jax team has decades of experience to rely on. But when it comes to covering a global pandemic, they have about three months and counting.

COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s lives, including how local TV stations report on this ever changing, dangerous virus. The challenge a news station encounters is how to get us the valuable information we need, without putting their people in harms way. “Our number one priority is the safety of our people. We have a journalistic duty to our viewers

to report how the virus is impacting our communities, and that never waivers. But we won’t put our staffs in danger of exposure,” said Bob Longo, Vice President and General Manager of WFOX/WJAX. No one knows yet how long this pandemic will last, or if more global viruses will be on the rise in the future. But for now, Action News Jax is learning as they go in an effort to keep all of us informed and our families safe. Below are some behind-the-scenes personal notes from three Action News Jax anchors.

Tenikka Hughes Action News Jax Anchor

D

espite these unprecedented times, I’ve tried to approach my work at Action News Jax with the same consistency, perspective and understanding that I hope viewers have come to expect from me over the years. I know some people may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, frustrated or even afraid right now. I hope our coverage not only empowers people through the information we’re providing, but also offers them a sense of stability and hope.

As a team, we are working to help people who are out of work get benefits to keep a roof over their heads and food

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on their table. We are reporting on the non-stop efforts of doctors and scientists to figure out and fight this virus.

We are directing people to critical mental health and financial resources. We’re putting out information about job openings and letting you know about businesses that are still open to serve you .

At the end of the day, I’m not just documenting this historic time as a journalist; I’m living it with you and committed to doing my part to ensure we come out stronger on the other side. ​

John Bachman Action News Jax Anchor

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hen this is all over, Action News Jax will examine this pandemic and how it happened, what we learned and where we need to improve. Until then, we push forward doing the best we can. What I choose to focus on at home with my kids, is how our community rallies around each other. Like after a hurricane, or September 11th, the stories that move me are of the heroes who step forward to

lead through the chaos. There are the healthcare professionals and the first responders. There are also the neighbors who organize a birthday parade-like they did for my 12 year old when her party was canceled. This pandemic has caused a lot of pain, no doubt, but like other disasters it has also brought out the best in us. Telling those stories gives me a front row seat to witness greatness in my neighbors.

Lorena Inclan Action News Jax Anchor & St Johns County Reporter

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’ve covered everything from hurricanes to a royal visit in St. Johns County, but I never imagined I would add a pandemic to that list. At a time like this, there’s nowhere else I would rather be than at work helping to inform our community. On one particular recent day, I met with leaders at the Emergency Operations Center to review their plan to respond to citizens’ needs during the COVID19 outbreak. The EOC is the central command whenever there’s a county wide emergency such as a hurricane or in this case a pandemic. We also spoke with the school district about a nationwide back

order on internet hotspots that affected 1,850 St. Johns County students who are learning online.

I’ve spent much of my professional life covering St. Johns County after moving to Northeast Florida in 2012. I hope to continue serving our viewers for many years to come. www.stjohnsmag.com

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Listening to you, caring for you.

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Good healthcare starts with listening. The care teams at Ascension St. Vincent’s listen to get to know you, your health and your life. Then, our network of doctors, nurses and specialists deliver a personalized experience that’s right for you and your family. By understanding you, we can provide the best care possible for your specific needs.

Get the care that’s right for you at ascension.org

© Ascension 2020. All rights reserved.

www.stjohnsmag.com

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FreshJax

The

Local Foodie

by Lori Allen SJM Official Local Foodie Lori Allen is a local who moved from the Boston area to attend Flagler College and never left.

She is a family person that loves the beach, football, working out and finding new places to try. Her love for food comes from her northern background and her love of cooking as well as meeting new and interesting people. She has never met a stranger nor has she ever been afraid to try an intriguing place.

(Check out all her reviews on stjohnsmag.com)

Handcrafted Spices

O

k so let’s face it as much as we would like to be dining out during this time instead we are all cooking and experimenting at home. So why not try something different and exciting??! FreshJax organic spices have come up with some really great combinations of seasonings for all kinds of foods. Their seasonings are made by hand in small batches using only organic spices, herbs, and salts but more importantly it’s the incredible flavor that makes these so good. Anyone that knows me knows I love to hit the salt shaker to enhance my food but there is no need with these gems. They provide enough salt and seasoning even for me!

For my first try I was working on cooking up some “healthy baked fries”. I had researched some recipes (because what else is there to do during this stay at home time?) And all of them suggested using cayenne to give the fries that extra flavor without being fried. So I cut up some fresh potatoes, let them soak for a bit so that the starch gets removed which results in a crispier fry. Dried them off, and then tossed them in some EVO and FreshJax Peppered habanero seasoning replacing the suggested cayenne. These fries baked up crispy and the peppered habanero added just the right amount of heat …when I bit into them I for sure was thinking did these come from one of those fast food places? My son devoured them in minutes!

For my next blast of flavor I hit the grill and decided to try a multitude of FreshJax spices. I

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cut up some zucchini and summer squash then tossed them in a little EVO and used the Grillmaster seasoning on them. Grillmaster is a combination of cracked pepper, onion, garlic and fennel just to name a few of the spices. The seasoning brightened up the veggies and when grilled produced a nice flavorful char on them. Steak was next and I opted to use the Sunrise Cowgirls coffee rub. This seasoning has a 5 pepper blend, coffee, cherry wood sea salt, cocoa, ancho and chipotle along with others to create a sweet, savory complex flavor. I have used cocoa in my chili before but never on a steak so this proved to be a really nice combination. My last grilled item was some fish. Citrus Pepper blend was calling my name. After all, citrus and fish are no brainer! The seasoning enhanced the fish with zesty flavors of orange lemon and lime keeping it light and fresh.

Now that I have one of FreshJax 5 piece gift sets I can’t wait to see what other combination of food and flavors I can come up with! After all there’s no place like home especially right now and especially with these fun and inventive seasonings! Get some for your pantry and let’s see how creative you can be!

FreshJax® spices are handcrafted in Jacksonville, FL. They offer free shipping options within the US and are happy to send spices directly to your door.

Their spice kitchen is not open to the public. For more information visit www.freshjax.com

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The

Wellness Expert

Letting Go, Grief & The New Normal

A

s we enter the 3 phase transition plan for reopening our society following the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are excitedly anticipating a return to “normal life.” With a safe reopening weeks away, once it does arrive, it will be a totally new normal we are returning to. Going forward, we will refer to this experience as “before and after." COVID-19 has challenged us and changed us, creating disruption in our routines, and uncertainty about the future.

LETTING GO WITH COMPASSION

During this time of lockdown and social distancing, vital experiences have been missed. Students have spent their fourth quarter of the school year away from their campus, teachers, friends, and activities.

Seniors have missed important events and opportunities such as prom, grad bash, and spring sports. It remains to be seen whether postponed graduation ceremonies will be able to safely proceed as the summer unfolds.

Non-essential businesses shut their doors and risked their financial solvency to keep the community safe. Essential workers continued to report to work, risking their personal health so that their neighbors could access the vital services they provide. We have begun wearing masks.

We have all been asked to give up pieces of ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you were a greeter at church, a school volunteer, a little league coach, or the social organizer for your friend group, we have all experienced the loss of the roles we once held before life changed.

by Diana Brummer,

MSW, LCSW GoodMentalHealthLLC.com Office: 904-325-6105 Mobile: 904-419-7435

THE NEW NORMAL Human beings are resilient creatures. We can bounce back from extraordinarily difficult things. But in order to do that, we have to allow ourselves space and grace to process our difficult emotions. We do that by acknowledging they exist, allowing ourselves to feel them, and speaking them out loud to a trusted friend, support person, or to ourselves in the safe pages of a journal or in our own minds while we reflect.

Let's allow ourselves to grieve what was, then imagine what our new normal might be. We can harvest the good from this difficult experience-increased time with our families, learning we are capable of (and maybe enjoy!) working and learning remotely, witnessing the solidarity of the human race as we truly are all in this together but separately. Let’s perhaps recalibrate our priorities based on a new appreciation of the fragility of life and design a vision for our future that is not only different but better than before.

If you are struggling emotionally during this difficult time, please visit our website at www.GoodMentalHealthLLC.com for access to relevant blog posts, local resources, or to schedule an appointment. For the safety of our community, all upcoming appointments will take place by phone or online via video chat.

And with loss comes grief.

PROCESSING GRIEF

Grief expresses itself in many ways. It can feel like anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress. It can display as sadness, anger, ambivalence, or a combination of these. Behaviorally, we may withdraw from, or lash out at, those close to us. We may be drinking too much, exercising too little, sleeping too much or not enough. It may be difficult to stick to a daily routine or find joy in the activities that are available to us right now. It Nowto with on CR 210: may be hard connectatosecond the peoplelocation we need most.

We may compare our situation to others, and decide we don't have it as bad as those in other parts of the world. We begin to deny the validity of our difficult emotions and feel shame or guilt for having them at all.

By denying that our grief exists, we deny ourselves the opportunity to grieve what's been lost and to ultimately heal.

Diana Brummer, MSW, LCSW 20+ Years Experience in Mental & Behavioral Health for Children, Teens, Adults & Families

157 Hampton Point Drive, Suite 1, St Augustine, FL 32092 Licensed Clinical Social Worker

904.419.7435 | goodmentalhealthllc.com

For 12 more information visit our blog at GoodMentalHealthLLC.com.

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Worried it might be COVID-19?

Baptist Health is here for you.

There’s a lot of information out there about how and when to get tested for COVID-19. Knowing where to go and who to turn to can give you the peace of mind you need.

Think you might be at-risk for COVID-19 and don’t know what to do next? Chat with our digital assistant from the safety of your home about your symptoms, travel history and other factors to help you self-

Speak directly with a Baptist Health nurse by calling 904.302.5050. We’ll help you figure out what to do and where to go for care.

The free service is for all ages and is available 7 days a week, 8 am – 5 pm.

Get evaluated and tested (if needed) for COVID-19 at a CareSpot location. If you have symptoms or think you may be at risk, call your nearest CareSpot for an appointment or schedule online at carespot.com.

Community COVID-19 Nurse Line:

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assess your risk.

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www.stjohnsmag.com © Baptist Health 2020

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A New Partnership for Dr. Glenos and Dr. Hadgis

Introducing Smiles by Glenos & Hadgis Orthodontists

D

r. Jimmy Glenos and Dr. Craig Hadgis, are pleased to

their highly trained and caring team members. They have two office

announce their partnership, Smiles by Glenos & Hadgis

locations, St Augustine and St Johns. Both offices are state of the art with

Orthodontists. Dr. Hadgis earned his DDS degree along with

soundproof game rooms and private rooms for adults. Dr. Glenos and

a certificate in advanced residency for general dentistry at the University

Dr. Hadgis offer the latest technologies and services to enhance precision

of Detroit Mercy. He has been practicing as an orthodontist for 10 years,

results and overall patient comfort such as impressionless 3D scanning,

after graduating from Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics. Dr.

Invisalign clear aligners, Damon braces, and Insignia custom braces.

Hadgis has been on the forefront of digital orthodontic treatment using

They also have a low dose 3D x-ray unit to see teeth and bones in all

oral scanning technology when it was first introduced. He earned his

dimensions.

undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Glenos and Dr. Hadgis pride themselves on providing the best orthodontic experience, excellent service, and are respectful of your

Dr. Glenos and Dr. Hadgis first met at an annual Florida Association of

appointment times. Together they have a combined experience of

Orthodontists conference in Tampa Bay, Florida. Dr. Hadgis and his wife

providing the most efficient, cost effective treatment plans for St

Anne are active members of the St Augustine Downtown Rotary club

Augustine and St Johns families for over 40 years. They accept most

and the St Augustine Junior Service League respectively. Dr. Hadgis has

insurance plans and pride themselves on providing options to be

a long family history in Northeast Florida and has wonderful memories

affordable for all budgets.

visiting family here. His great uncle was the only doctor in Flagler county for many years and helped start Flagler Hospital now AdventHealth

A very important factor in saving orthodontic expense for your family is to

in Palm Coast. He remembers vividly beach days at Flagler Beach,

schedule your children for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation by age

Marineland, and the Alligator Farm. During his orthodontic residency

7. This provides an opportunity to prevent poorly developing jaws, teeth

program at JU, Dr. Hadgis and Anne loved beach cruising on their bikes

and bites. No referral is needed. To schedule an appointment please call or

from Jacksonville Beach all the way up to Mayport.

text 904.79.SMILE (904.797.6453). They also offer virtual consultations, please visit www.smilesbyGHortho.com and click the ‘Online Smile

All aspects of modern-day orthodontic services are provided by these

Assessment’ link for more information on steps to get to a healthy and

two Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics together with

beautiful new smile!

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M AY

Asthma and Allergy Awareness month!

by Dr. Raquel Watkins

Board-certified allergist with has offices in Jacksonville and Orange Park.

A

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 13 people have asthma so about 25 million Americans have asthma. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes airway congestion and tightness. Symptoms can include cough, shortness of breath or chest tightness. It is important to know when your asthma is not controlled, what your triggers are and the two basic types of medications used to treat asthma.

Do you know the “Rule of Two’s”?

• Do you have asthma symptoms or use your quick relief inhaler more than two times a week?

• Do you wake up at night with asthma symptoms more than two times a month?

• Do you fill a canister of your quick relief medication more than two times per year?

If you are answered yes to any of these or if you are unsure, it is time to involve your doctor to discuss asthma control.

Do you know your triggers or how to manage them?

Many asthmatics can be allergic to weeds, trees, grass, mold, dust, dog or cat allergens. If you have never been tested, speak to your doctor about getting tested for allergies so that you can better understand your triggers. Allergies are typically treated with Medications, Modification of the environment and Modification of your immune

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Know the differences between your medications.

There are two basic types of medications that can be helpful for people who have asthma. The first is a rescue inhaler such as albuterol. The rescue inhaler can help to open the airways and can be used for cough, shortness of breath and wheezing. The second medication is a controller medication, and this one should be used daily even if you are feeling well.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic has coincided with the peak pollen season, it is important to control your allergy and asthma symptoms to avoid confusion over Covid-19 since some symptoms overlap. Take your medications as instructed by your doctor. Follow your Asthma Action Plan. If you do not have a plan, now is the time to speak to your doctor. Keeping your asthma under control can help you to be your best self, and lead to a healthier and more active lifestyle.

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system with immunotherapy or ‘allergy shots’.

Now during the peak pollen season, if you feel triggered, take the medications that your doctor has recommended. If you are allergic to pollen, wear a mask when outdoors, and shower or wash your face after coming indoors.

Indoor allergens such as dust mites can be reduced by stepping up cleaning, and by keeping humidity indoors to less 55%. You can do this with a dehumidifier.

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The Legal Expert Michael L. Duncan, Esq. Duncan Trial & Mediation

Pandemics and Family Law

A

CHILD CUSTODY

s an attorney practicing family law, I’ve witnessed how the COVID-19 pandemic has added significant stress to all areas of daily life. This stress has possibly contributed to increased divorce and domestic violence filings, for example. It has also impacted child custody, which Florida law officially refers to as “timesharing”.

During these uncertain times, if you have a parenting plan whereby you share custody/timesharing, things can become complicated because, let’s face it, there was no preexisting rulebook for something as unprecedented as a pandemic. Health and safety concerns, distance learning for school-age children, stayat-home orders, parents working from home – all have added stress and confusion, even for those who have been great at co-parenting.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) have created guidelines for divorced or separated parents who share custody during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parenting plans and timesharing orders do not anticipate pandemics, certainly not anything on the scale of the COVID-19 crisis.The AAML/AFCC COVID-19 guidelinesare as follows: 1. BE HEALTHY Follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. This includes washing hands properly, wiping down surfaces, and maintaining safe social distancing. Take care of your mental health. Stay informed through reliable sources but avoid tuning in 24/7.

that you or your children may have experienced. Try to agree with your coparent on what steps each will take to protect your children from exposure. If you or your children exhibit any possible symptoms of the virus, inform your co-parent immediately and remain in communication.

2. BE MINDFUL Be honest with your children about the pandemic’s seriousness but remain calm. Avoid exposing children to media coverage intended for adults. If children show concern, encourage them to ask questions and respond to them truthfully at an age-appropriate level.

6. BE GENEROUS If possible, provide makeup time to your co-parent who missed out on time with your children due to the COVID-19 crisis. Courts expect parents to act reasonably when they can, even during highly unusual circumstances. Encourage your children to remain connected with their other parent by phone, email, or video.

3. BE COMPLIANT While the COVID-19 crisis has added uncertainty to our daily lives, parenting plans and court orders must be complied with. Haggling over timesharing details should be avoided if at all possible. Some of Florida’s courts, but not all, have issued administrative orders addressing the COVID-19 crisis and parenting plans – check with an attorney to see whether your court has issued any such orders.

4. BE CREATIVE Be creative and cooperative in your co-parenting. Cooperate with the other parent to manage children’s distance learning and be creative in finding ways to keep children engaged during these times when they would otherwise be in school. If one parent believes there is reason to deviate from the parenting plan, it is important to consult with the other parent to see whether there is agreement. If one parent may not be able to see the children for a time, consider FaceTime, Skype or other videoconferencing so that parent can interact with the children.

5. BE TRANSPARENT Communicate with your co-parent in an honest, complete and timely manner about any suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19

7. BE UNDERSTANDING The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic hardships for many. Those paying child support and suffering economically should, if circumstances permit, try to provide whatever is possible, even if not the full amount. Those parents who receive child support, if circumstances permit, may want to try to be accommodating and understanding. Parents should try to work together so that children are supported until financial normalcy returns.

Ideally, all parents will cooperate and work together in focusing on their children’s best interests. In the event you are in a situation in which this is not taking place, or if you need assistance with regard to any other custody/ timesharing or family law issue, consider contacting a family law attorney for guidance and advice.

This article is general in nature and is not intended to provide and does not provide legal advice. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.

Mr. Duncan practices business litigation and family law throughout Northeast Florida and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. His office is located in downtown Jacksonville and he can be reached at 904-655-2475 or at mikeduncan@mikeduncanlaw.com.

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Michael L. Duncan, Esq. Attorney & Florida Certified Circuit Civil Mediator

• Family Law Matters • Business Disputes • Mediations • Appeals The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free, written information about our qualifications and experience.

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Our website stjohnsmag.com is a local resource with articles about the people, places & events that make northern St. Johns Amazing!

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At North beach/Vilano A1A Just 20 minutes south of CR210

824-8008

A Great View from Every Inside Seat

BACK IN BUSINESS SOON! * Serving Lunch & Dinner * FreSh FiSh, SeaFooD, SteakS & More

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LEGENDARY Sunday Brunch

www.thereefst augustine.com

Oceanside Patio Dining

for menus, hours, news & directions

The Ocean or The River....The Best of Both Views Come by Boat or by Car

Open for Takeout 11:00 am to 6:00pm Beautiful Views, Casual Atmosphere, & Fresh Local Seafood

612(2 blocks Euclid Ave - St. Augustine south of the castle off A1A in North Beach)

w w w. a u n t - k a t e s . c o m 22

829-1105

Open 7 days a week - Lunch & Dinner

Heartworms

PREVENTION IS KEY

S

pring has arrived, and the warm, humid weather is back in our area full time – and so are the mosquitoes. Just like they do to humans, mosquitoes also feed on our pets, and in doing so they can transmit a dangerous parasite to them that can cause serious illness and even death: heartworms.

Heartworms are parasitic worms that can grow to reach about a foot in length; in the larval stage, they are injected into a pet’s bloodstream by a mosquito and migrate to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, where they grow and breed. Mosquitoes are the only way heartworms can be transmitted, and they play a vital role in the heartworm lifecycle.

Adult female heartworms living in an infected animal produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal, it picks up these baby worms, which mature into “infective stage” larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another dog, cat, or susceptible wild animal, the infective larvae are deposited onto the surface of the animal's skin and enter the new host through the mosquito’s bite wound. Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms.

Once mature, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs and up to 2 or 3 years in cats – and during that time, they can cause significant damage and disease.

Canines are natural hosts for heartworms – this includes not only our pet dogs, but also wild dogs like coyotes, wolves, and foxes. The parasite will readily mature and breed in a dog, and if left untreated, can produce hundreds of worms living in the dog. Heartworm disease occurs in dogs as their infection is left untreated, and causes symptoms such as: coughing, exercise intolerance, labored breathing, weight loss, and in later stages, heart failure and death.

But heartworms can also infect cats. Cats are considered atypical hosts of heartworms, which only means that the worms often don’t readily survive to adulthood and breed. This doesn’t mean that a cat isn’t affected by the parasite; it just makes it much harder to test for and diagnose. Cats can have significantly higher mortality rates from heartworms because they often don’t show any symptoms until it’s too late. Many times, the only

A Message From The Vet

by Dr. Deckard, DVM, Pets R Family

sign of heartworms in a cat is sudden death, and the heartworms are found on necropsy.

Heartworm prevention is paramount for our pets, and it should always be given year-round to both cats and dogs. They work by killing the heartworms in the larval stage, before they reach the heart. There are several options for prevention: monthly pills or chewable treats, monthly topical treatments, and injections that last for six months – and all are relatively inexpensive. Not all the same medications are available for both cats and dogs, so ask your vet which would be best for your pet.

If your dog gets heartworms, there is treatment for it; adulticide heartworm treatment takes two months to complete and can have some potentially serious side effects – although we have come a long way with making it much safer over the years. It is also very expensive and can be cost-prohibitive for some owners. Alternatively, a dog can have the “slow kill” treatment by using the monthly prevention and allowing the heartworms to live out their life cycles, but this is not in the best interest of the dog because the heartworms continue to cause damage during that time.

The “slow kill” method is not recommended by the American Heartworm Society.

For cats, unfortunately, there is no adulticide treatment that is safe. If your cat gets heartworms and is lucky enough to survive longenough to be diagnosed, careful medical management of symptoms is needed. Some cats do ultimately survive, but irreparable damage will often occur.

Heartworms present a serious health threat for our pets, whether your pet is inside only or goes outside. Remember that it only takes one mosquito bite to cause an infection in an unprotected pet. Your veterinarian will guide you on the best products to use to protect your pet against this easily preventable disease.

www.stjohnsmag.com

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