4 Introducing the 2024 Junior Mayors The Gold Coast’s 2024 Junior Council Executive Committee have been sworn in to their new roles as future leaders as part of the City of Gold Coast’s Junior Council. Nevindu Dammannagoda from AB Paterson College was announced as the 32nd Junior Mayor and Rihanna Patel from Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus as the Deputy Junior Mayor. Mayor Tom Tate congratulated the students on their appointments on the Gold Coast’s Junior Council Executive Committee. “The Junior Council program provides young Gold Coasters the platform to have a voice,” Mayor Tate said. “The program provides an opportunity for students to learn about the role of local government, develop skills in public speaking, networking and most importantly leadership.” The Junior Council comprises of 140, Year 10 and 11 students from 37 Gold Coast high schools. The Junior Council is led by the Junior Mayor, Deputy Junior Mayor and the Junior Council Executive Committee. Junior Mayor Nevindu Dammannagoda said: “It is an honour to have been named the 2024 Junior Mayor. “I am very passionate about youth involvement and service. I look forward to working with the Junior Council this year.” The 2024 Junior Council Executive Committee comprises: • Yanyan Zhang – Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus • Thomas Pentland – St Michael’s College • Madison McGregor – Varsity College • Henrietta Stahelin-Hall – Rivermount College • Abigail Brinkworth – Somerset College The City is pleased to welcome Kings Christian College and Men of Business Academy to the program in 2024. April is National Heartworm Awareness Month FIVE FACTS ABOUT HEARTWORM DISEASE THAT WILL SHOCK YOU ... It’s everywhere! Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in Australian states. They look like spaghetti. Mature heartworms look like long strands of spaghetti. Dogs are more susceptible. Dogs can have hundreds of heartworms in their bodies. We need to act fast. In most cases, the treatment often comes too late to cure the animal fully. Decreased appetite might be a sign. If your cat or dog is not eating well, it might indicate heartworm disease. Heartworm disease, a perilous condition affecting both cats and dogs, is caused by a parasitic worm dwelling in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. Its insidious presence can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to vital organs in these beloved pets. Dogs are a host of heartworms, meaning they can grow and reproduce in the animal, while cats are a dead-end host, meaning the worms cannot reproduce in the animal. Most cats are infected with only a few worms and may not be fully mature, though the disease can be just as deadly for cats as it is for dogs. Transmission of heartworms occurs through mosquitoes, which acquire larvae from the bloodstream of infected dogs during feeding and subsequently transfer them to other animals. Once transmitted, these larvae develop into adult worms, perpetuating the cycle of infection. Preventative measures are paramount, including monthly oral medications that target immature worms. Strict adherence to preventive schedules is crucial, as heartworm larvae can mature rapidly, rendering prevention ineffective within as little as 51 days. Detecting heartworm disease early is pivotal for successful treatment. While dogs may exhibit symptoms such as coughing, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss, many remain asymptomatic initially. Regular blood tests are indispensable for diagnosis, preferably during routine veterinary visits. However, detecting heartworms in cats proves challenging due to the low worm burden and absence of definitive symptoms. Antigen and antibody tests, supplemented by imaging techniques like x-rays and ultrasounds, aid in diagnosis. Treatment for heartworm disease in dogs necessitates a multifaceted approach. Upon confirmation of diagnosis, strict activity restriction is imperative to mitigate further damage to the heart and lungs. Stabilizing the dog’s condition may be requisite, particularly in cases with underlying health issues. Treatment protocols typically involve several steps, followed by post-treatment testing to ensure complete elimination of parasites. Unfortunately, effective treatment options for heartworm-infected cats are lacking, underscoring the critical significance of preventive measures. In conclusion, heartworm disease poses a grave threat to the wellbeing of companion animals, emphasizing the need for proactive prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment. Consultation with a veterinarian is indispensable to tailor preventive strategies and ensure timely intervention in cases of infection, safeguarding the health and longevity of cherished pets.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjM5MTE=