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Pets First Monthly
December 2024
Ideal Holiday Treats for Furry Friends GIFTS, GOODIES, AND GAMES
The holiday season can be fun and exciting for our pets, but it can also be stressful and dangerous if we’re not careful.
It makes sense that December has been designated as Safe Toys and Gifts Month, as many households will have an overabundance of both in the coming weeks. If you’re like me, you’re thinking of all the fantastic gifts you can get for your pets this year. Before you hit the store for the perfect presents for your dogs or cats, I’d like to share a few pointers to help your animals stay safe as they enjoy their goodies. If you’re buying presents for a dog, avoid rawhide or anything that may damage their teeth or cause them to choke. If a cat is on your shopping list, say no to toys with string, ribbons, or rubber bands and go for laser pointers and toy mice instead. Dogs and cats are natural hunters, so “foraging toys” — such as ones they’d need to sniff, chase, or lick to seek out the filler or treat inside — stimulate their minds and get them to exercise. Consider giving senior pets a puzzle toy that will help improve their cognitive health by having them move pieces around to find a treat. The biggest goal of any toy you purchase is to keep your pets occupied, decrease their boredom, and increase their enjoyment of life. Any gift you buy your pet should be durable and size-appropriate so it can’t be fractured or swallowed accidentally. Also, you don’t want the toy to be too difficult so your pet gets frustrated and doesn’t want to play with it. Whenever I give my pets something new to play with, I like to be around first to see how they do with it and make sure it won’t be a problem for them. I also rotate their toys often, such as switching them out weekly, to keep them engaged.
loves it! It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever given him. My three cats also love it — to the point where I had to buy a second bed to ensure everyone had room!
Most of all, the best thing we can give our pets for the holidays is the gift of time. Give them plenty of attention this time of year, especially if your home will have unfamiliar guests visiting. When throwing a holiday gathering, it’s wise to keep your pets isolated in a separate room so they don’t feel intimidated by unwanted petting or get table scraps that may harm them. ( Pro Tip: Avoid giving your pets fatty foods like ham, which could lead to pancreatitis issues over time.) You know your pet better than anyone, so choose holiday gifts and activities that will make them happy. On a related note, we’re thrilled to announce we’re hosting our second annual “Pet Photos with Santa” event at Petersen Pet Hospital from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17! Clients are welcome to stop by to get photos of their pets with Santa (or have photos taken with him themselves!). To take part, simply donate a toy, treats, or pet food to help animals in need when you arrive. Please contact us if you’d like more information — and be sure to join us for one of the best parties of the year!
A new dog/cat bed can be fun, too! Because my elderly dog, Jim, is not a fan of toys, I got him an orthopedic bed last Christmas. It is incredible how much he
Join us for our second annual “Pet Photos with Santa” event at Petersen Pet Hospital from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
–Dr. Emily Saunders
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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MEGATRON’S JOURNEY TO JOY Cute Cat vs. Larvae GET TO KNOW DR. CONRAD!
Introducing Our New Team Member
Petersen Pet Hospital is excited to introduce Dr. Justina Conrad to our practice as an associate veterinarian! Dr. Conrad grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Jefferson High School. Her passion for caring for animals began when helping care for sick and injured ones on her grandparents’ farm. After high school, she attended Iowa State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2006 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Following college, she returned to Cedar Rapids. She is particularly interested in preventive care, nutrition, and avian and exotic animal medicine. Dr. Conrad and her husband, Kurt, have two children, Adelina and Ross. Their family also includes their dog, Colo; two cats, Amy and Oliver; Henry, their bird; and Strawberry, the crayfish. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing games, baking, and reading in her spare time. She is excited to join our team and meet you and your pets!
Megatron is a sweet little kitten who found a home in the wheel well of her now- owners’ camper on a hot July afternoon. After seeing her, her owners noticed that she had some wounds that they wanted to get checked out immediately. Later that day, she was brought in to be evaluated by Dr. Hannah Green and her team for an unknown injury to her face and neck.
As seen in the photo, Megatron had a very large swelling under her right eye with a large amount of discharge and a sizeable patch of hair missing from the left side of her neck, where a scab was forming. The poor girl’s eye was mostly swollen shut from the lump that had formed under her eye. Upon first glance, we were able to see that there were two small holes present in the swelled area. Dr. Green looked closer and found a small, worm-like creature coming in and out of one of the holes.
Immediately, she became suspicious of a cuterebra — a rabbit or rodent botfly larvae. Adult botflies lay their eggs near rodent and rabbit burrows. After they hatch, the larvae enter a host’s body through an opening such as the nose, mouth, or an open skin wound. Cats are accidental hosts of cuterebra larvae and are most commonly infected when hunting rodents or rabbits outdoors. Dr. Green and her
team retrieved the cuterebra from Megatron’s face. She instantly felt relieved by the pressure that was removed. After removing that larva, Dr. Green evaluated the hair loss and scabbing on Megatron’s neck.
Underneath her skin, there was a small lump that felt similar to the size of a Tic Tac. Dr. Green cleaned the area with an anti- bacterial wash, and the scab came off. There was another small cuterebra attached to the scab as well. Megatron was
given a vaccine, tested for two viral feline diseases, dewormed for intestinal parasites, and received a topical flea and tick preventative. She was also sent home on an oral antibiotic to prevent infection of her wounds. By her recheck appointment three weeks later, the scabs on her face had healed, and the swelling had decreased immensely. She is now thriving in her new home and has healed wonderfully. —Dr. Hannah Green Contact us! 319-743-0554 2
–Sam
Golden retriever Samson takes his job as a medical service response dog very seriously, maybe even too seriously. For owner Lea Hendy, it became apparent quickly that the loveable giant didn’t know how to dog. On their days off at the dog park, Samson was the odd man out, sitting alone in the corner while the other pups played. It seemed like he couldn’t turn off work mode or form bonds with other dogs. Samson joined Lea’s family to train as a service dog. When she noticed his seeming lack of social skills with other dogs, she was determined to find a way to bring him out of his shell. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a cat would change everything. While they were out traveling, Samson spotted a kitten in the window of a building and immediately wanted to play. It was an “aha!” moment that Samson could indeed make deep bonds; it just had to be with the right animal. A couple of months later, they brought home a tiny kitten named Cleo, and the instant friendship surprised everyone. They gently placed the backpack with the little kitten inside in the middle of the room, and Samson immediately sprung into excited barks and tail wags. Lea said they were never expecting him to be so excited about his new friend, and the two have been inseparable since. A PURR-FECT MATCH How a Kitten Helped Samson Unleash His Inner Pup
“It was so heartwarming to see him come out of his shell and immediately form a connection with Cleo,” Lea said.
Now, the pair spend every moment they can together, playing, napping, and enjoying each other’s company. Cleo has become an avid adventurer since the family started taking her on hikes. When the kitty tires out, she takes a ride on her older brother Samson, who looks so proud to be transporting his sister. Cleo, a tiny kitten with a big heart, allowed Samson, a workaholic looking for a friend, to break out of his shell and explore his world in ways his family never thought possible. Now, thousands of people worldwide watch their friendship and adventures on the animal-odd couple’s Instagram page @calvin.andco.
Cat’s Seafood Delight Inspired by TrustedHouseSitters.com
INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup canned tuna, drained • 1/4 cup cooked salmon, flaked
“It shows that friendship has no bounds,” Lea said. “Anyone can be friends.”
• 1/4 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice • 1/4 cup cooked carrots or peas, mashed • 1–2 tbsp fish oil DIRECTIONS 1. Combine tuna, salmon, quinoa or rice, and veggies in a mixing bowl and toss lightly. 2. Add fish oil, then mix well to ensure ingredients are evenly distributed. 3. Serve a meal portion to your hungry feline friend, and save leftovers in the fridge for another meal.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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
PRIMARY Inside This Issue
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Tips for Pet-Friendly Presents
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A Cuterebra Crisis Solution
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Meet Dr. Conrad!
SECONDARY
Cat’s Seafood Delight
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Samson and Cleo’s Tail-Wagging Tale
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Unravel the Myth of the 16th-Century Rocket Cat
CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY The Feline-Flying Military Tactic That Never Took Off
Throughout military history, you’ll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let’s set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the “Feuer Buech,” published in 1584, a treasure trove of (literally) explosive innovations in warfare. Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm’s groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method was straightforward: kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn’t get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords.
Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Feuer Buech” reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper.
Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats’ notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades.
So, next time you’re cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
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