Petersen Pet Hospital August 2019

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.

Contact us! 319-743-0554

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