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Pets First Monthly
September 2024
HOW TO SPOT IT, TREAT IT, AND UNDERSTAND IT Canine Cancer
The end of summer in September marks the return to regular routines for many of us. We take fewer vacations, the kids are in school, and most of us begin to settle in for winter. Often, a routine can be a welcome sight after a hectic — albeit fun — summer, but even with our best intentions, life has a way of knocking us down when we least expect it. To help you become a more informed pet owner, I want to dedicate this month’s cover article to understanding cancer in dogs. (I know — it’s a horrible topic!) Now, cat owners, this is important for you to understand as well! However, because there is a lack of research on feline cancers, most of the language surrounding cancers in pets focuses on dogs. So, as depressing as this topic may be, I encourage you to keep reading. It’s information every pet owner needs. What does cancer look like in pets? Cancer in animals is no different from cancer in humans. This disease is the uncontrolled abnormal growth of cells or tissues in the body, and just like in humans, the cause of canine cancer is unknown and can happen to any dog. In fact, dogs are just as likely as humans to develop cancer! Approximately one in four dogs will get cancer, and over half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer.
And just like the human form, cancers in dogs come in two types: benign and malignant. Benign cancers are concentrated in one spot, grow slowly, and are easily removed. Malignant cancers are unpredictable and invade surrounding areas. Diagnosing Cancer in Pets A pet’s medical history and genetics can be determining factors in whether it will develop cancer. Certain dog breeds can be more likely to develop cancer, but a greater risk is a dog’s genetics and family history. However, there is one simple way pet owners can decrease the odds of their pet developing cancer. Spaying or neutering your pet under the age of 12 months drastically decreases the odds they will develop breast or testicular cancer. Common signs to watch for if you suspect your dog may have cancer include abdominal swelling, bleeding from the mouth and nose, difficulty breathing or eating, lumps and bumps, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, and sudden weight loss. However, it’s also worth noting that these can be signs of other issues, so it’s important to bring your dog into Petersen Pet Hospital as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. When diagnosing cancer in dogs, we run numerous tests to pinpoint the type, severity, and location of the cancer. This may include X-rays, blood tests,
ultrasounds, and scanning, as well as biopsies and follow-ups to determine the best course of treatment for the pet. Treatment Options The good news is that early cancer detection makes it very treatable. The options range from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation to diet changes. The type of treatment we choose depends on the type of cancer, its severity, the age of the dog, and whether we hope to cure the cancer or prolong the pet’s life with added comfort. The choice is up to your family, but options are readily available. If you’ve made it this far in my article, I want to thank you. I know this topic is not light or exciting, but it is vitally important. As cancers in pets continue to rise, our understanding of how to treat them increases, too. And so does your need as a pet owner to learn more. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, visit us at PetersenPetHospital.com.
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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SAM’S CORNER
Taking a Bite Out of Dental Pain
Ah, the humble yawn. As a dog, I can tell you that this simple act is so much more than just a sign of tiredness. There’s a whole world of meaning and emotion hidden behind those big open mouths. Let me take you back to when I was just a pup. During my first few trips to the vet, I remember yawning up a storm in the exam room. At the time, my human thought I was just sleepy. But as he learned more, he realized my yawning wasn’t just about being tired; it was also a sign that I was feeling stressed or anxious. You see, yawning isn’t solely about oxygen flow to the brain, as some may think. It’s actually a way for us dogs to self-soothe and manage our emotions. When we find ourselves in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation, that big ol’ yawn helps calm us down and regain our composure. And it’s not just at the vet where we let out those telltale yawns. Dog training classes are another prime example. Even if we’re not necessarily tired, the pressure to perform and please our owners can make us feel on edge. A good yawn helps us refocus and reset. THE TRUTH ABOUT MY YAWNS
COCO’S BEHAVIOR IMPROVED AFTER EXAM
Meet Coco, an approximately 8-year-old Chihuahua who was adopted by her new family on May 18, 2024. Her adoption exam revealed significant tartar, and she even tried to bite when we looked in her mouth. We were not able to do an extensive oral exam, but we knew she had significant dental disease and recommended a dental cleaning. Her new family scheduled her for a dental procedure that took place on June 11. Our pets have to be anesthetized for dental cleanings, but they get the same things we do at our human dentist during a dental cleaning — tooth exam, tooth counting, checking for gingival pockets, polish and fluoride, and radiographs of every tooth. These radiographs help us determine the health of the entire tooth and help us assess areas that seem to have missing teeth. Dogs have 42 adult teeth, and during Coco’s dental exam she had 19 teeth already missing. She had significant periodontal disease and many infected teeth such that she needed 9 extractions. Three days later, at the follow-up call, her owners reported that she was so much better after her dental exam and they noticed a major change in her behavior. She was more playful, more friendly, and even wanted to play with the other dogs’ toys. Some of this behavior change could have been her getting acclimated to the new home, but it was so drastic after her exam that it is very likely that Coco was in a significant amount of mouth pain due to her dental disease. If you have ever had mouth or tooth pain you know how debilitating it can be, and chronic pain can make you crabby over time — this can happen for dogs and cats, too. Once the mouth pain is addressed, their appetite and attitude can change dramatically for the better. Dogs and cats are very good at hiding their pain, and often, you do not know how pain is affecting them until you take it away and see the change. If you notice abnormalities in your pet’s mouth let us know; we can help guide you on dental health and get you scheduled for a cleaning if needed. Coco certainly would thank her family if she could because she’s feeling like a new dog!
Coco Bierbaum Dental L Pre
Coco Bierbaum Dental L Post
Turkey Triangles for Cats Inspired by BeChewy.com
Coco Bierbaum Dental R Pre
Coco Bierbaum Dental R Post
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Occupations reflect the times: Jobs we have today didn’t exist years ago, and vice versa. Many past careers weren’t glamorous, and some are the worst professions in history. Let’s look at four foul jobs that no longer exist (and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it). Purple Dye Makers Dyeing clothes is so ordinary today that it’s hard to imagine a world where certain pigments are rare, but this was especially true for purple in generations past. Back in ancient times (first century CE), the hue of the royals was made by crushing thousands of snails, extracting their glands, and then heating the material in a pot full of brine for 10 days in an incredibly odorous process! Dripping Men Do you use the fat drippings from your roasts to make gravies or fry other foods? Since this liquid gold can add flavor to any dish, there was once an entire profession built around it. A dripping man back in Victorian England would go to homes and businesses to collect their fat to sell to the public. Childbed Linen Warehouse Keepers For much of history, women gave birth at home, not in a hospital. So, it’s not surprising that an industry arose during the 19th century to cater to this. According to an 1842 book of trades, there was a job for supplying, collecting, and cleaning bed linens specifically for birth. Honey Dippers, Toshers, and Purefinders In 19th century England, the country had recently seen an enormous boom in the population, and most of the available housing lacked flush toilets or sinks with running water. This meant more sewage found its way into the city streets — giving rise to three jobs we no longer see today. Honey dippers collected waste from homes, toshers scavenged sewers for valuable items to sell, and purefinders collected dog poop (to be used in the process of tanning leathers). The next time you get a case of “the Mondays” and question whether or not you like your job, consider this: Would you rather be crushing and boiling snails for 10 days instead? Probably not! Still, which jobs of our era will be considered weird history in the future? Unmasking Some of History’s Worst Jobs CAREERS YOU’LL BE GLAD ARE EXTINCT
In fact, yawning is so closely tied to our emotional state that experienced dog handlers have even started using it to their advantage. By actually making their dogs yawn, they can help the pups get into a more relaxed, attentive mindset. Pretty clever, if you ask me! But the real kicker? Yawning is contagious — not just for humans, but for us dogs, too. Studies have shown that when we see another canine let out a yawn, we’re much more likely to yawn right along with them. It’s like a chain reaction of relaxation. So, the next time you see your pup yawning, don’t just write it off as sleepiness. Take a closer look — that yawn could be telling you a whole lot more about how your furry friend is feeling. And hey, maybe even try yawning back. You might just find it’s the start of a beautiful, calming connection. –Sam
INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour • 1/2 cup ground turkey
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil • 1 egg
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, turkey, oil, and egg. Knead dough into a ball. 3. Lightly flour your workspace and roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. 4. Place dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 5. Use a knife to score bite-size triangles into the dough. Don’t cut the shapes out. 6. Bake for 20 minutes. 7. After the treats have cooled, snap the triangles apart.
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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
BLACK Everything You Need to Know About Cancer in Dogs 50% BLACK Getting to the Root of Coco’s Sour Demeanor
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PMS4655
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SECONDARY
The Meaning Behind Doggy Yawns
Turkey Triangles for Cats
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PMS292 The Evolution of Work: Bizarre Jobs That Time Forgot PMS5635 PMS1215
PMS258
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The Belgian Malinois Who Protected America
A TAIL OF COURAGE K-9 Sonya’s Distinguished Service Is Recognized
A national hero from the U.S. Coast Guard had a lot to wag her tail about this year! K-9 Sonya, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, was honored with the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal this March for her extraordinary heroism over the past nine years. The hardworking dog has a long list of achievements and continues to serve the Coast Guard proudly. Sonya was one of 18 explosive detection canines in the Coast Guard, assigned to two duty stations, the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Seattle and the Maritime Security Response Team West in San Diego. Alongside her human partner, Sonya’s primary job was to detect and detract acts of terrorism in the U.S. She has performed more than 5,000 hours of explosives detection work and more than 8,500 vehicle sweeps. The pooch’s expertise has helped other local law enforcement agencies handle bomb threats in residential and federal buildings, and she has worked with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. One of the highlights of her career was when she found a firearm that was ditched during a high-speed pursuit that was later linked to multiple homicides. Her work ultimately helped to identify the suspect.
Super Bowls, the Rose Bowl, the U.S. Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, PGA tournaments, and many other mass public gatherings. Sonya has assisted in security for four U.S. presidents, high-ranking dignitaries, and world leaders.
Sonya retired in 2023 and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, but she didn’t let it stop her from continuing to serve. Sonya worked as the Coast Guard’s first-ever canine recruiter until her passing in April. In a heartfelt message online, Sonya’s handler, Chief Petty Officer James Grant, paid tribute to his partner. “Sonya girl, you were a fighter until the end,” he wrote. “Your loyalty and love will be forever remembered. K9 Sonya, you were the greatest, most loving dog I have ever met.”
Sonya has also had the opportunity to attend major events in the country, protecting guests and fans. Over her career, she worked security for four
Sonya’s brave legacy lives on and continues to inspire.
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