Petersen Pet Hospital August 2019

Monthly Pets First

August 2019

For the Love of Pets A MESSAGE FROM DR. PETERSEN

“It always puts a smile on my face and gives me a great sense of fulfillment when I am able to help a pet feel better.”

From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. I found this passion early in life thanks to spending time with both sets of grandparents on their farms. Both sets of grandparents’ farms had a variety of animals in which they raised and cared for. These animals included such things as cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, horses, chickens, ducks, peacocks, turkeys, and pigeons. It was like visiting a zoo every time my family and I would visit my grandparents. Spending time on the farms got me interested in working with animals, but it was my uncle who pointed me in the direction of veterinary medicine. My uncle is a retired veterinarian, and I spent a little time with him while I was growing up. I saw the kind of work he did, and it sparked my interest in the field. Pair that with hours of nature documentaries and episodes of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” I loved to watch on TV, and I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I’ve been practicing for 21 years. In that time, I’ve dealt with a number of pet health problems and emergencies, and it always puts a smile on my face and gives me a great sense of fulfillment when I am able to help a pet feel better. It’s satisfying to use my knowledge and experience to help an animal improve and live longer. I’m a lifelong animal lover, and I know howmuch our

clients care about their pets. It’s a privilege to be the expert my clients turn to when they want to see their pets live longer, happier lives.

This is a drive I share with my entire team at Petersen Pet Hospital. We aim to make sure our clients always feel confident in their decision to work with us and never doubt that their pets are in capable hands. This is why we have made sure that the majority of our team is Fear Free certified and that our hospital has been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and certified as a Feline Friendly practice. Animal hospitals aren’t held to the same standards as human hospitals, which means around 85% of animal hospitals operating today have not been evaluated by any sort of accreditation process. Part of that is because it’s not easy to get AAHA accredited. There are over 900 standards of care an animal hospital must demonstrate in order to get this accreditation, such as the quality of their treatments and the safety standards for their human staff. Of the 18 pet hospitals in our area, only three are AAHA accredited, including Petersen Pet Hospital. When we say, “We put your pet first,” it’s more than just a catchy slogan; it’s a promise I’m making to all of my clients. I am proud to run a pet hospital and work with a team whose No. 1 priority is to keep animals healthy. Both our clients and their pets deserve nothing less.

–Dr. Brad Petersen

www.PetersenPetHospital.com

Welcome to t HANNA AND MELISSA JOIN PETER

We are very excited to introduce two of the newest additions to the Petersen Pet Hospital team: Hanna and Melissa!

Hanna, Client Care Specialist

What happens when you forget to brush your teeth before bed? It’s not pretty. Morning breath and an extra layer of plaque isn’t an ideal way to start the day. Now, imagine how your mouth would feel if you never brushed your teeth. That’s probably what’s going on in your pet’s mouth right now. Even though we’re taught to brush and floss daily to keep our teeth healthy, few people realize this dental care should apply to their dog or cat. This is why so many pets have dental disease by the time they’re 3 years old. Dog breath is an excellent example of what happens when you don’t brush your dog’s teeth. More than an unfortunate side effect of living with man’s best friend, if your dog’s breath smells rotten, there’s probably something rotting inside their mouth. It’s Not Just Bad Breath Smelly pet breath is the most obvious sign of poor dental health, but it’s mild in comparison to other health risks. Dental pain due to decay can cause animals to stop eating, leading to dangerous weight loss and poor nutrition. The mouth is also the gateway to the rest of the body. When a dog or cat has gum disease, that bacteria has direct access to their internal organs. Gum disease has been found to damage organs, leading to higher risks of liver failure and heart disease. How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth Few dogs or cats will be delighted to have you sticking something in their mouth. For strategies to help make brushing a little less stressful for you and your pet, visit PetersenPetHospital.com/videos/brushing-your-cats- teeth. This video focuses on cats, but the advice can also help dogs feel more comfortable about having their teeth brushed, too. THE NO. 1 MISTAKE ENDANGERING YOUR PET’S HEALTH

When Hanna was a child, she loved to spend hours outside playing “Little House on the Prairie”with her “big wolf friend,” aka Emma, her childhood Saint Bernard. Hanna has always loved animals. Growing up, she could be found trying to hold the kitten on her grandpa’s farm or going on long walks to feed the cows.

Hanna received her associate degree from Kirkwood Community College, where she also took multiple nursing classes. After several years of working in the emergency department of a local hospital, Hanna realized that the medical field was not her passion. She changed careers and began to look for a place where she could realize her childhood love of caring for animals. Searching for her passion brought Hanna to Petersen Pet Hospital, where we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.

Roasted Corn Salsa

Remember that you cannot use human toothpaste on your pet. Only use pet-safe toothpaste.

If you’ve never brushed your dog or cat’s teeth, call Petersen Pet Hospital to schedule a deep cleaning before buying a toothbrush. Manual brushing won’t remove years of tartar build up. Once your pet’s teeth are clean, you can start a daily brushing routine to keep them from getting bad again. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth can have a positive impact on their overall health and longevity. It might be a little time consuming, but at least you don’t have to floss your cat’s teeth!

Corn is plentiful during the summer months, and this easy-to-make salsa is sure to be a hit at your next get-together.

Dog Movies for Dog Days

e Team EN PET HOSPITAL When Hanna has free time, she loves to hike with her husband, cook, visit her family on their farm, and snuggle with her 13-year-old ragdoll cat, Jedidiah Ezekiel, on rainy days.

Beat the Heat With a Canine Movie Marathon

We’re well into the dog days of summer, the hottest, most humid days of the year. These weeks have nothing to do with real dogs; they were nicknamed after the “dog star” Sirius by the Greeks to reflect the hottest time of the year following the star’s heliacal rise. Still, it’s a pretty good excuse to escape the heat with a dog movie marathon. Here are the films we recommend.

Melissa, Client Care Specialist

‘Air Bud’

Melissa’s first friend was Sleepy, a tiger cat who showed up on the doorstep right before Melissa was born. The two were inseparable until Sleepy passed away at the ripe old age of 18. Melissa’s friendship with Sleepy sparked a lifelong love for all animals. Once, after her cats found a rabbit’s nest, Melissa adopted a couple of baby bunnies. Late-night feedings with a syringe were the beginning stages of her interest in the veterinary field. Working with animals is Melissa’s dream job, and she jumped at the opportunity to join the team at Petersen Pet Hospital. Much of Melissa’s work experience has been in human resources or customer service, making her well-equipped to work with our clients and their pets. In Melissa’s spare time, she loves to relax with her friends and family, attend concerts, try out new breweries, and travel. Melissa and her husband, Jeff, share their home with three fur babies: Gus, an older Maltese/silky terrier; Charli, a black-and-white kitty; and the newest addition, Dax, an Australian shepherd.

Most people remember “Air Bud” for the wild loophole, “Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t play basketball,” but this movie is about much more than a dog playing ball. After the death of his father, 12-year-old Josh Framm feels depressed and distant from his family. Enter a stray golden retriever named Buddy, who teaches Josh how to open his heart again. The two bond and learn lessons in overcoming loss, fighting for what you love, and, yes, playing basketball. “Air Bud” spawned a number of sequels and spin-off movies, but this first film is a true classic.

‘Lady and the Tramp’

“Lady and the Tramp” is the classic story of two dogs who come from different worlds: the refined, loyal Lady and the rogue with a heart of gold, Tramp. This movie has music, laughs, and a spaghetti scene that rivals the balcony monologues from “Romeo and Juliet.”One of the few animated Disney classics about animals that won’t have you in tears, this is a movie the whole family can enjoy together.

‘Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey’

Looking for a bit more action in your animal movies? “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” delivers! After three beloved pets are left behind when their family goes on vacation, they trek across the Sierra Nevada wilderness to be reunited with the humans they love. Their adventure has thrills, close calls, and a heartwarming ending that will make you want to hug your pets close.

INGREDIENTS:

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2 medium ears of corn, shucked 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, diced

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1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced

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When it’s too hot to go outside, make some popcorn and enjoy these great movies with your family. Don’t worry, none of the dogs die at the end.

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Juice of 1 lime

Kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.

5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.

www.PetersenPetHospital.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1031 Kacena Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554

Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p.m. for teammeetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sun: Closed

Inside This Issue

PRIMARY

For the Love of Pets

BLACK The No. 1 Mistake Endangering Your Pet’s Health 50% BLACK

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Roasted Corn Salsa

SECONDARY

The Best Movies About Dogs

PMS292 Stay Safe While Camping PMS5635

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Gone Camping

While summer is winding down, families are looking to go on a few end-of- season adventures, camping trips included. Before you head out into the wilderness with your family, it’s important to be prepared. In fact, “be prepared” is the best piece of advice when it comes to braving the great outdoors. But what does being prepared entail? Here are four key tips. Have a first-aid kit nearby. A good rule of thumb is to keep one in your car at all times. You never know when you’ll need it. Kids may get a few bumps and scrapes while out hiking, or you might encounter poisonous plants, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Having quick access to cold water, soap, antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol), and calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can keep infections at bay. Teach fire safety. When you build a fire, especially with kids, teach them about fire safety. This includes building the fire itself. Pick a spot away from brush and overhanging branches and create a pit surrounded by rocks. Before lighting a fire, have a bucket of water and a shovel nearby so you can quickly extinguish it when ready. Finally, remember to only build a fire as big as you need. A larger fire can be difficult to manage and keep under control. 4 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ON YOUR NEXT FAMILY CAMPING TRIP

Keep an eye on the sky. Weather can change at a moment’s notice, and sometimes, it doesn’t give notice at all. Keep a close eye on the sky and monitor

the weather on a radio. If a storm appears, seek shelter immediately and stay out of low-lying areas. When you’re in mountainous or hilly terrain, a little rain is all it takes for flash floods to occur. If you’re in a ravine when it starts raining, get out immediately. Always stick together. It’s a good idea to hike with a buddy and keep a whistle around your neck or in your pack. You never know what you might encounter or when you’ll need help. Hiking with kids is also a great time to teach them to recognize landmarks and be aware of their surroundings. If you have a digital camera or smartphone, show kids how to create a trail of digital breadcrumbs or pictures to help them find their way back to camp.

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