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Pets First Monthly
April 2026
WARM WEATHER WISDOM Practical Springtime Precautions for Pets
Playtime at Better Paces After being cooped up all winter, many dogs want to leap from the house and run around like crazy … and who can blame them? Although it’s nice to see them have fun in the sun, be careful that they don’t overdo it. Sprains, strains, joint pain, torn nails, and arthritis flare-ups are common this time of year among pets who do too much, too soon. It’s best to gradually increase their return to outdoor play rather than taking them out for a two-mile walk or run right away. A Spring Safety Sweep Just as spring presents opportunities for humans to tidy up their homes and lawns, it also gives us a chance to better organize our pets’ lives. Check to ensure their microchip information is up to date on the online portal. Make sure their harnesses, collars, and leashes still fit properly and don’t need to be replaced. Clean and disinfect their food and water dishes regularly, and be sure to wipe off their paws every time they come in from outside. Lastly, check the expiration dates of their current medication and schedule a check-up with us if it’s been a while since we’ve seen your pet. With a little extra care and attention, our pets can love the spring as much as we do. As always, please contact us if you’d like additional information on keeping your pets safer this time of year or if you have another pet-related concern. Here’s to a happy and healthy spring for you and your furry family members! –Dr. Emily Saunders
It’s springtime at last!
sticky and can easily attach to our pant legs and fall off onto our carpets.
Whether on two legs or four, most of us can’t wait for this time of year to arrive. Nicer weather means more opportunities to leave our homes, breathe in the fresh air, and explore the great outdoors. While the season can be a wonderful time for dogs and cats, it can also introduce risks that all pet owners need to consider. Here are a few reminders to help you ensure that all the beautiful weather to come doesn’t lead to bad times for your nonhuman friends. Lawn Care Cautions The fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides we use on our lawn can cause gastrointestinal issues and other serious side effects if ingested. Keeping your pets away from those items on your property, storing them properly, and using pet-safe products whenever possible goes a long way for keeping your animals safe. Mushroom and cocoa mulch can also be dangerous to pets, especially if they become moldy, as they can cause gastrointestinal pain and neurological issues if ingested. Additionally, lilies can be extremely dangerous for cats, as even brief exposure can prompt kidney failure. Pesky Parasite Prevention Of course, humans and their pets aren’t the only ones who will be excited to enjoy the warmer weather. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites will be out and about as well, so it’s always a very good idea to keep your pets on flea, tick, and heartworm preventives throughout the year. Besides, nobody ever wants to deal with a flea infestation! Additionally, be sure to use a flea preventive on indoor cats, too. Flea eggs are very
Pollen Problems and Allergy Alerts Although pet allergies can exist year-round, we definitely see more flare-ups in warmer weather. If your pet suddenly starts scratching or licking their paws excessively, it’s very possible they’re experiencing an adverse reaction. Other signs include inflammation, redness on their skin or in their ears, and tail chewing. If your pet is prone to these problems, please contact us to discuss ways to help them feel more comfortable. Early treatment of allergies can also help prevent secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
PetersenPetHospital.com
SUBWAY CANNED COMFOR
Hello, everyone! As I type this message using my trusty meow-to- English software, my face is covered with wet food … and I couldn’t be happier. Please allow me to explain. Cats are considered carnivores, which means we can’t just eat foods with grains and vegetables. We require a higher protein intake than most other animals. We also need specific amino acids, such as taurine, to help keep us healthy. It’s also important that we drink plenty of water. Cats are notorious for not always drinking much water, so we’ll often get what we need from the food we eat. Unfortunately, many dry foods have only about 10% moisture, which doesn’t help us much. So, if you notice
we’re not drinking much, be sure to supplement our diet with more canned food to help increase our water intake. Doing so will be particularly helpful for any felines you know who are constipated or are prone to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder stones, or crystals. It’s also a good idea for younger cats and kittens to have more canned food in their diets.
Slippies is a sweet 14-year-old domestic shorthair who visited my team last fall for her annual exam. She was doing well overall, but she had grown picky with her food and lost weight. After conducting wellness bloodwork, results showed a low potassium level. Since Slippies had several years of wellness labwork in her medical records, I identified a worrisome trend showing a gradual decline in her potassium levels. I became concerned about a condition called hyperaldosteronism , a rare endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone , a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance in the body. This disorder is most commonly due to an adrenal tumor or adrenal hyperplasia (enlargement) and results in sodium retention and potassium loss. Clinical signs include muscle weakness, lethargy, poor appetite, cervical ventroflexion, and elevated blood pressure. We needed to confirm a diagnosis before Slippies started showing more clinical signs. I sent a blood sample to Michigan State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab to test her aldosterone level. The level came back elevated, consistent with hyperaldosteronism. Due to her age, her owners elected for medical management. Unfortunately, supplementing potassium with Renal K+ powder in her diet wasn’t effective in correcting her potassium level. We discontinued this supplement and prescribed spironolactone , a weak diuretic that helps the body retain potassium. It worked beautifully! Slippies’ potassium returned to normal, and she regained the weight she had lost. Slippies’ history of wellness bloodwork, coupled with her diligent owner’s willingness to dive a little deeper, allowed us to obtain a definitive diagnosis and properly treat her. We’re so glad she’s feeling better! Slippies’ Sodium Saga From Picky to Perky
—Dr. Krystal Knutson
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Y’S CORNER BARKING AT THE RIGHT MOMENT RT FOR THRIVING KITTIES
The Dog That Saved a Veteran From a Stroke When Hank Ford ended his service with the U.S. Army and Marines, he felt completely alone. The veteran had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and struggled to trust people. But dogs were a different story.
(Psst … don’t tell other cats I’m saying this, but it’s a lot easier to sneak medication into canned food they actually like.)
Now, if you notice your cat is suddenly drinking a lot of water or (eek) urinating outside of their litter box, that could be a sign that something’s wrong with their health. The same is true if we’re getting a little too fat or suddenly losing a ton of weight. Also, keep in mind that different foods help cats stay healthy during different stages of life. Generally speaking, kittens should be on kitten food until around 10 months of age before they’re switched over to adult formulas. Cats’ energy requirements change as they age, so younger ones will require higher-calorie diets than those who are older.
When he received his service dog, a yellow Labrador named Tommy, he gained a steadfast companion who made each day a little less scary.
“Used to be, I walk into a place, and I’m looking for exits,” Ford said in an interview. “I’m watching everybody. I’m just not trusting anything that’s going on, and with him, all that seems to have gone away.” Though his four-legged friend had brought so much relief and calm to his life, he never expected Tommy would actually save his life. The pup prevented a massive stroke that could have had dire consequences. Early one morning, Tommy broke all of his usual routines, barking at Hank at an odd time while the veteran snoozed. He was persistent, using his voice like never before and pawing at Hank’s chest until he arose. Clearly, Tommy sensed something was wrong, and as soon as Hank stood up, he felt it too. His heart was pounding so hard he could feel it, and when he checked his blood pressure, he was shocked at the number. Hank wasted no time driving himself to the hospital, and it was only then that he realized how crucial his dog’s fast thinking really was. The doctor informed him he was experiencing an A-fib or irregular heartbeat. Left untreated, it could lead to life-altering or deadly strokes.
One more thing about canned food. In the February 2026 newsletter, I mentioned that I had been diagnosed with kidney disease. Well, I’ve gotta tell you, eating more canned food has helped me feel so much better! And, oh gosh, it’s so good! As soon as I hear the bowl come out of the cupboard, I’m there ! I have a feeling your feline friends will love it, too.
Turkey and Macaroni Dog Food
INGREDIENTS
• 5 lbs ground turkey • 2 1/2 oz turkey liver •
“They told me, had he not woken me up, I could have had a major stroke in bed, or not woken up at all,” he said. “He saved my life.”
5 oz carrots, finely chopped 5 oz zucchini, finely chopped
• •
5 oz broccoli, finely chopped • 2 1/2 oz cranberries, fresh or frozen • 2 1/2 lbs whole wheat macaroni • 5 tsp JustFoodForDogs Omega Plus Fish Oil • 2 1/2 tbsp JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni DIY Nutrient Blend
Hank received treatment, and in the months since the incident, he’s been feeling more like himself.
The veteran was incredibly thankful to Dog, Inc., the nonprofit that trained and provided Tommy to assist with his day-to-day mental health needs. Though the Lab was well-trained to handle his owner’s PTSD, Dog, Inc. said his life-saving action went above and beyond. Tommy’s feat proves just how close the bond between a service dog and their human really is.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a nonstick skillet, brown ground turkey and turkey liver over medium heat, stirring frequently. 2. Add the vegetables and cranberries while the turkey is still pink, and sauté until the turkey is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender, then set aside. 3. Cook macaroni according to package directions and add a quart of ice once cooked. Drain and let cool. 4. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients with JustFoodForDogs products. 5. Portion into individual serving sizes and store in the fridge or freezer.
Inspired by Epicuricloud.com
PetersenPetHospital.com
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 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
Inside This Issue
PRIMARY
Safety Strategies for Sunny Skies
PMS4655
BLACK
50% BLACK
A Cat’s Big Comeback
Fantastic Facts on Feline Feasts
SECONDARY
Turkey and Macaroni Dog Food
PMS292 The Barking That Saved a Life PMS5635 PMS1215
PMS258
In the Footsteps of Earth’s Greatest Journeys
Let Wildlife Migrations Plan Your Next Trip FOLLOW THE HERD
Great Journeys Overhead An adventure that’s for the birds, the flamingo flight in Tanzania is a colorful sky show unlike anything else. The flocks take to the air from June to September and January to March, following mighty rains. Go nocturnal in November as millions of fruit bats hang from trees and flutter in the dark searching for snacks. These night flyers put on an eerie display at dusk in Zambia every year and may change your mind about the critters. Voyages at Sea Set a course for the high seas to witness the longest migration of any mammals as thousands of giant humpback whales swim across the planet. They cruise from the coasts of South Africa and South America to the warm waters of the Pacific and make stops in the icy seas of Antarctica. Though they come in much smaller packages, the trek of sea turtles to their nesting beaches has been an epic sight for over 100 million years. You can see them swim from the Indian Ocean to the shores of Sodwana Bay in South Africa before they lay their eggs.
Are you planning your next vacation but don’t know where to start? Why not try following the herd? Every year, animals all over the world hit the road, sky, or sea for impressive migrations, and you can get a front row seat to nature’s big show. From massive groups of wildebeests crossing the Serengeti to flocks of flamingos turning the Tanzania sky pink, these seasonal journeys are one-of-a-kind experiences for your bucket list. Nature’s Grand Processions If you want to go big, the Great Migration across the Serengeti is one of the largest annual animal voyages on the planet. Thundering groups of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles can be spotted from July to August as they search for water and food. Travel to Sri Lanka’s Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks if you want to snap a photo of a pachyderm. Between July and October, hundreds of Asian elephants meet up there for an ancient tradition called “The Gathering.”
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