Check out our December newsletter!
Pets First Monthly
December 2025
WHISKERS AND WARMTH 12 MONTHS OF THANKS
Somehow, time has raced by to where we’ve sent out another December edition of our newsletter!
We hope this time of year finds you and your beloved pets in good health and spirits as the holiday season begins. There are always plenty of things for us to be grateful for as we hang up a new calendar, but we’d like to take a moment to express what makes all of us at Petersen Pet Hospital especially thankful this month. As we wrap up another year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients and community for their continued trust and support. It’s an honor to care for your pets and be part of their lives throughout the year. Our purpose at the heart of everything we do remains to help pets stay happy and healthy and support the families who love them. Every day brings moments that remind us of why we do what we do. It may be the puppies coming in for the first time or a wagging tail after a good visit. It may be a kitty cat feeling better after not feeling so well, or it may just be a pet parent thanking us with a grateful smile. This year has brought both joyful hellos and heartfelt goodbyes. We’ve shared in the sadness of losing cherished companions who will forever remain in our hearts. At the same time, we’ve also celebrated new beginnings, welcoming new puppies and kittens and adopting pets into loving homes. These occasions represent hope, love, and the wonderful bond that connects people and their pets. For every pet who says goodbye, another one needs a loving home. Seeing an animal companion find a place of love will always be one of the best parts of our job. There is no greater joy for us than seeing a young pet come in for their first visit and then being given the privilege of treating them for their entire life. We also have the honor of knowing their guardian families and seeing human children grow up alongside them! We cherish the new beginning each puppy, kitten, or other baby animal who visits gives us.
regain their health with each recheck or follow-up appointment. Every pet we help feel better, and every smile from a relieved pet guardian, is another reminder of how much we love what we do and appreciate your belief in us to keep the pets in our community safe and well. Your continued support helps us through the tough times when we need to say farewell to a cherished pet patient and keeps us motivated to do our very best to care for every new and current pet patient who visits us. Our pets provide us with so much love and companionship; we’re here to help them live their best lives every day, every year. As we look ahead to the upcoming year, we’re excited about the opportunity to continue serving our community with compassion, dedication, and care. Thank you for letting us be part of your pets’ stories and being such an important part of ours. Our very best wishes to you for a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year! –The team at Petersen Pet Hospital
We also love seeing how much better a pet feels after seeing us, and we’re honored to provide our clients with the peace of mind of seeing a sick pet
PetersenPetHospital.com
SAM’S CORNER
Santa’s Coming to Petersen Pet Hospital! Paws and Pics
It’s that time of year again … and we can’t wait!
Petersen Pet Hospital is thrilled to announce that we’re hosting our third annual “Pet Photos with Santa” event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to celebrate the holidays with our clients and their beloved pets. Any client with a pet is welcome to come and have their animal companion’s photo taken with Santa! No appointment for photos is necessary. Refreshments and treats for pets and humans will be available, and all attendees (four-legged or otherwise) are encouraged to dress up in their best holiday outfits! “Pet Photos with Santa” has become our most anticipated event. Santa does a great job working with pets, and our photographer is excellent at getting his subjects to look at the camera, creating an unforgettable picture. Did we mention that all pets are welcome? We’ve had every pet from dogs and cats to turtles, birds, and ferrets visit us on our special day … and we’re excited to greet you and them! To participate in this fun-filled gathering, please bring a new cat or dog toy, or unopened dog or cat food or treats, as a donation to support animals in our local community.
Marley is an energetic Labrador retriever. Last summer, his owner’s daughter contacted us because he was very lethargic, hadn’t eaten for a few days, and had an episode of vomiting. We performed an urgent exam and noted a moderate fever of 104.5 F, dehydration, and lethargy. Our team took radiographs and collected blood to check liver and kidney function, review his red and white blood cell counts, and test for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma. His bloodwork revealed low platelets (cells that help with blood clotting), and he tested positive for Anaplasma. Anaplasma is a tick-borne disease that can cause platelet destruction. Other common symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, and fever. Marley’s radiographs revealed an enlarged spleen, which can also be seen with anaplasmosis. He was administered subcutaneous fluids and was started on doxycycline (an antibiotic), prednisone (a steroid), and cerenia for nausea (since doxycycline can worsen an upset stomach). At his recheck two weeks later, he felt a little better and ate normally but still lacked energy. He was also having increased urination (a possible side effect of prednisone). Additionally, he had a small wound of unknown origin on his back, which was cleaned and treated. Blood was drawn to recheck his platelet levels, which were improving and almost up to normal. Since he was having some side effects from the prednisone, the dose was tapered with a plan to recheck the platelets in another two weeks to ensure they were still improving. Five days later, Marley returned to Petersen Pet Hospital with multiple sores on his back and difficulty urinating. Dr. Young and her team performed repeat radiographs and collected urine and samples from the skin lesions for further testing. It was determined that he wasn’t entirely voiding his bladder, so a catheter was placed. His skin lesions were cleaned, and he was started on topical antibiotics and pain medication. Marley’s urine test showed no infection, but his skin worsened over the next few days. He was referred to specialists at Blue Pearl Des Moines for hospitalization and additional testing, including a CT and further bloodwork. Eventually, it was revealed that Marley had a Bartonella infection, which is spread by ticks. He was started on a combination of antibiotics to treat the Anaplasma and Bartonella and medication to help him be able to void his bladder. After a five-day hospital stay, Marley was doing well enough to go home and continue follow-up care with us. At every follow-up visit, Marley’s skin continued to improve, and he could urinate normally as his medications to help with voiding were tapered. After completing the antibiotics, his skin was fully healed at his most recent follow-up, and his hair was growing back. During one appointment, he was energetic, running around the room and doing tricks for treats, like a new dog! —Dr. Justina Conrad TICKS, TESTS, AND TRIUMPH Marley’s Mystery
Contact us! 319-743-0554
Tiny Pup, Big Hero Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster. The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area. Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70-foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby.
For more information, please call us at the phone number below, and get ready for a wonderful time!
“PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA!” Petersen Pet Hospital 1031 Kacena Rd. Hiawatha, Iowa, 52233 Phone: 319-743-0554 Email: wecare@petersenpethospital.com
Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
Holiday Treats for Your Dog
• 1 egg • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 2 tbsp molasses INGREDIENTS
Icing: • 3 tbsp low-fat cream cheese • 4 tbsp plain yogurt • Pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter • 2 cups ground oats or oat flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk egg with cinnamon and molasses. 3. Stir in peanut butter and mix. Then stir in ground oats and mix until combined and uniform. 4. Between sheets of parchment paper, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. 5. Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to cut out treats. 6. Arrange treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes. 7. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for icing. 8. Drizzle icing over cooled dog treats and let set before treating your pup!
Inspired by PooksPantry.com
PetersenPetHospital.com
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554 Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p.m. for team meetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | Sun: Closed
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PRIMARY Inside This Issue
A Year-End Thank You
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BLACK
50% BLACK
A Pet Puzzle Solved
Pretty Pet Photo Party!
SECONDARY
Holiday Treats for Your Dog
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Pancho Becomes Lifesaver in Wilderness Rescue
The Hidden Price Tag on Clutter
How Minimalism Can Save You Thousands The Cost of Clutter
Simplifying Finances Clutter can even creep into your bank account. Old subscriptions, overlapping accounts, and unused memberships all nibble away at your budget. By canceling what you don’t use and streamlining your finances, you save money and reduce the mental load of tracking your bills.
We’ve all been there: staring at a closet full of clothes and thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Or paying rent for a bigger apartment just to store things we barely use. Clutter isn’t just a space problem; it’s a money problem. Every unused subscription silently chips away at your finances. The good news is that minimalism offers a way out. Far from being about deprivation, it’s about reclaiming control of your space, spending, and savings. The Hidden Price of ‘Stuff’ Every purchase comes with two price tags: the sticker price and the hidden costs. That $50 gadget isn’t just $50; it might also mean higher credit card interest if you’re carrying debt, or another box in the attic eating up storage space. The more we accumulate, the more we pay to maintain, store, clean, and eventually replace those items. That’s where minimalism comes in. It forces us to ask: “Do I really need this, or is it just clutter in disguise?” Quality Over Quantity Minimalism doesn’t mean buying nothing. Instead, it’s about buying better. One high-quality pair of shoes can last for years, while three cheap pairs wear out quickly and cost more in the long run. Choosing durability and timeless designs over impulse buys protects your wallet and reduces waste.
Downsizing Expenses One of the biggest financial wins of minimalism comes from downsizing. A
smaller home or apartment doesn’t just mean lower rent or mortgage; it also slashes utilities, maintenance, insurance, and even property taxes.
More Space for What Matters A clutter-free environment frees up mental bandwidth. With fewer distractions, you can focus on what truly matters: building a side hustle, nurturing relationships, or enjoying a calmer, more intentional life.
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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