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Pets First Monthly
January 2024
Continuing to Deliver Our Best in 2024 Proactive Care
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a fantastic holiday season and that you are preparing for what will hopefully be a very successful 2024 for you. We’re doing the same thing here! We believe success is doing the right things consistently over time, and we try to embody that sentiment every single day for you. As a business owner, I’m always thinking about the year ahead and getting my business and team prepared to serve our clients and patients even better than we have in the past. One of my favorite parts of my job is when we’re able to be proactive about our patients’ issues and take care of them before they become worse. As part of this reflection, I take a look at which processes we can improve or implement or which services we could start offering that would benefit you and your animals, such as a new medication or piece of equipment. For example, we’re adding new equipment to help us get blood pressure readings faster. We may also add a machine that can help with anesthesia monitoring. Plus, we look at how we’re communicating and if there are ways that we can provide answers to clients about their sick animals faster. We want to ensure that you know everything you can about what we’re doing for your pet.
like ensuring the parking lot spaces are freshly painted to maximize our client parking. I’m also very mindful of our cleanliness as well as ensuring the building stays organized.
Of course, at the top of our list as we plan for the future is you. I plan to estimate how many patients we’re able to see to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest level of care that we can.
It’s amazing how time flies. As I look back, I’ve been
proud to serve you for the past 20 years with our fantastic team, and I hope we have many more years where we can continue to be the absolute best that we can be for you.
At the end of the day, we will continue to do our best to go above and beyond so that you and your pets are healthy and happy.
Our team is at the heart of the difference we provide. With
that in mind, we’re also assessing our staff level and looking at possibly adding one or two additional
team members. Another key consideration is our facility itself. That includes everyday maintenance issues
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Meet Our New Practice Manager!
How Dr. Kn Ernest the G
E rnest is a dapper 5-year-old goldendoodle who came to Dr. Knutson and her team this past summer. He was lethargic, not eating well, and had vomited bile a couple of times. It started while a family friend was watching him, but he wasn’t improving when his owners
Jennifer joined the Petersen Pet Hospital team in September as our new practice manager. Jennifer and her husband Tom have two daughters, Rachel and Maggie, and three granddaughters, Stella, Everleigh, and Iris. They also have a young corgi named Ruby and two cats, Juniper and Jasper. Jennifer graduated from Bettendorf High School and the University of Northern Iowa before pursuing her interest in veterinary medicine. She’s worked in veterinary
returned. Ernest is not one to typically eat toys or socks, but he has been known to sometimes get into the trash and eat Kleenex. Dr. Knutson had reviewed Ernest’s medical history and knew he had battled with intermittent decreases in appetite and vomiting. During his examination, it was noted that he had lost 5 pounds and was a little tender upon palpation of his abdomen. To find out what was going on, Dr.
clinics in Iowa, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. In addition to her passion for animals, she enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and antiquing with a special interest in quilts and carnival glass.
Jennifer is looking forward to meeting your furry friends and making their visits to us special!
Scrumptious Stress-Relief Dog Treats
INGREDIENTS •
DIRECTIONS 1. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, milk, and applesauce. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder, then add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir well. 2. Place the mixture onto a lightly floured surface before kneading the oats and either lavender or chamomile into the dough. 3. Once the dough forms a ball, press it into a rectangle (about 1/2-inch thick) with your hands. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into biscuits. Then, place them onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 F for 30 minutes. 4. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving!
1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
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1/3 cup milk
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3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
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1 cup whole wheat flour
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1/2 tbsp baking powder
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3 tbsp oats
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1 tbsp edible lavender buds or chamomile powder
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Inspired by AnimalHumaneSociety.org
Beauty and fashion trends come and go throughout the years, with some — such as matte makeup, fringe, and ripped jeans — even making comebacks in recent years. The ancient Mayans also sought to be beautiful, but their practices were different compared to modern tastes, as they were willing to completely change their bodies to conform to their beauty standards. A smile is a universal expression of happiness, which was also true in Mayan culture. However, the difference came with what you saw when they smiled, as Mayans enjoyed shaping and filing their teeth to sharp points. They then drilled holes through the center of their teeth to insert gems. What Did Mayans Consider to Be ‘Model’ Looks?
nutson Saved Goldendoodle
Knutson performed complete bloodwork, obtained abdominal X-rays, and tested Ernest for pancreatitis. His X-rays were unremarkable, and he tested negative for pancreatitis. However, his bloodwork revealed mild elevations in his
kidney values and abnormal sodium and potassium levels. Dr. Knutson admitted Ernest for hospitalization on IV fluids and further testing to find out why his kidney values were elevated. He did not have a profound urinary tract infection. He tested positive for leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease, and was started on antibiotics to be safe. However, Dr. Knutson didn’t feel this was the cause since he was vaccinated for this disease. An ACTH stimulation test was performed to test Ernest for an uncommon condition called hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison’s disease.
Tattoos were also considered stylish among Mayans, but they weren’t like modern
tattoos. The big difference in their skin designs was that they were achieved by actually carving into the skin to create 3D wounds. Hair accessories were big during Mayan times — really big. It wasn’t unusual for women to construct large, elaborate headdresses adorned with precious metals and gems and shaped to honor local animals.
Addison’s disease has earned the medical nickname “The Great Imitator,” as dogs can present with vomiting,
Another Mayan beauty standard relates to one of their prized crops: corn. It is said that Mayans correlated beauty with face and head structures that
diarrhea, and lethargy, which can be due to a plethora of different things. There are some breeds that have a genetic predisposition for Addison’s such as the standard poodle, bearded collie, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, and Portuguese water dog. Addison’s disease is when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough corticosteroid hormones, which are essential in regulating life- sustaining functions including electrolytes, blood pressure, hydration, metabolism, and stress responses. Ernest’s ACTH stimulation test revealed he has Addison’s disease. His kidney values as well as his sodium and potassium levels improved on IV fluids. He was started on prednisone and fludrocortisone to supplement his body’s deficiency in making these corticosteroids. Ernest gradually improved. He came in for weekly bloodwork and dosage changes on his medications until his bloodwork values were normal and he was back to his normal self, being excited about food, walks, and car rides. With long-term treatment, Ernest’s prognosis is excellent. Dr. Knutson and her team look forward to seeing Ernest for many more years to come!
were long and narrow, much like an ear of corn. To accomplish that, Mayan families bound the heads of their infant children between two boards while the skull was growing to achieve an extended cranial shape that would last the child’s whole life. Eyes are a universal source of beauty, but the Mayans thought the ultimate set of beautiful eyes were crossed eyes. To create crossed eyes, they put a band around the heads of children with a bead suspended right in front of their eyes. They continued this until the children were permanently cross-eyed. Noses were also a central sign of beauty among Mayans, and for them, the bigger the better. A large, hooked nose symbolized their bird-like gods and was so important to them that they added specially designed artificial nose bridges that were often multicolored and decorated with gems. Beauty is influenced by cultural values, and the Mayans invested a lot of time, energy, and creativity to achieve their vision of beauty, even if that vastly differs from today’s standards.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554
Inside This Issue
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
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Making Our Best Better
PRIMARY
BLACK Get to Know Jennifer, Our Practice Manager Scrumptious Stress-Relief Dog Treats How Dr. Knutson Saved Ernest the Goldendoodle Mayan ‘Model’ Looks 50% BLACK
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SECONDARY
Meet Kupata, Georgia’s Street- Roaming Pup Hero
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Kupata’s Road to Fame THE STRAY DOG WHO CAPTURED THE WORLD’S HEART
We often think dogs live the good life, as they seem to do nothing but play, eat, and sleep. Yet, some dogs are busy at work, some without being asked to do so! Take Kupata, the stray dog in Georgia, for example. This street-roaming pup takes it upon himself to guard a crosswalk all day, every day . In the town of Batumi, this stray stays by a single crosswalk and forces traffic to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the street. He’s especially protective of children! If Kupata sees a car isn’t slowing down, he’ll bark at the driver as they drive away and run to protect the person crossing the street. One local even shared that Kupata will cross the road with children and stay at the park to protect the youngsters. Kupata, which in English means “sausage,” has become a staple in the community due to his hard work, and locals all pitch in to care for and feed the stray dog. His consistently round belly shows just how loved he is. You’ll even see a
massive painting of the beloved animal on a nearby building.
Now, after tireless days of guarding his street,
Kupata has his own doghouse provided by the city with an accompanying star on the road with his name on it. Kupata’s dedication made him go viral on social media, and now travelers from all over the world come to see Kupata. Don’t distract him, though. He’s busy at work! Sadly, even though Kupata remains cherished by his community, thousands of stray dogs in the country need shelter, food,
and companionship. According to activists, around 500,000 stray dogs and cats roam the streets of Georgia. While stray animals may get a bad reputation for being dangerous or unfriendly, Kupata proves that even these furry friends deserve love and recognition.
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