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Pets First Monthly
April 2023
BECOMING A LIFETIME LEARNER Has Made Me a Better Veterinarian
Have you ever wondered how veterinarians diagnose and treat your pets when they come in for appointments? Our furry friends can’t communicate with us, so it’s challenging to know what exactly might be wrong with them. So, how do my colleagues and I understand certain health conditions and behaviors? It’s through continued education! The medical field in general, and vet medicine in particular, are constantly changing. There are always new treatments, behaviors, devices, and conditions that other people and I have to know to provide the best care possible. Because there are always dozens of updates and new information on the market, it’s imperative I stay updated by taking courses, attending workshops, and collaborating with both my team and other veterinary professionals. During veterinary school, my professor told my class that 50% of the knowledge we learned in class would be outdated within 5 years. At first, that statistic seemed mind-blowing, but as I’ve developed more insight over the years, I’ve realized that my professor was right. Yes, what I learned in vet school is extremely helpful, but with advancements in technology and the ever-changing world of veterinary medicine, if I only relied on the information I learned in school, I wouldn’t be able to provide the best service possible to our patients. As a veterinarian, and many other professions like doctors and lawyers, you must be a lifetime learner. Continued education is a requirement if you want to continue your profession as a veterinarian — it’s a good thing I love to learn! You could always find me sitting in the front of the classroom in high school and college. I have always loved obtaining as much information as possible, and that love has grown stronger over the years. My favorite areas to learn more about are ultrasounds and internal medicine. I specialize in those areas at Petersen Pet Hospital, so it’s vital that I stay up to date on new technology, treatments, and diagnoses. There are several ways I continue my education. The first method is by reading veterinary magazines and online articles to see the latest trends. I can also take courses online or in person! Twice a year, veterinarians in Iowa and neighboring states get together for the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) to undergo training. There are so many workshops and courses to attend — I wish I could sit in on them all.
These courses have helped me become a better veterinarian and practitioner. On top of learning new material, I enjoy attending training sessions and seeing old colleagues or people I went to vet school with. It’s great to reconnect with them during these events! Although the (IVMA) courses allow me and other doctors to stay updated on what’s new in the veterinary field and help us provide the best care possible to our four-legged friends, it also allows us to provide information to others on our team and pet owners. We have a weekly doctors’ meeting where we talk about different cases and new things coming out. But we also have facility-wide team meetings where we will share any updates and news regarding our field. It allows us to improve our communication and ensure we are all on the same page. Additionally, sharing information with our patients is equally as important. I love sharing methods, strategies, and treatments pet owners can use at home to keep their furry friends happy and healthy. However, the most important lesson I’ve learned by being a lifetime learner is to be open to change. I understand how challenging this can be for some people — we are creatures of habit. But when you adapt to changes in your life, you give yourself the opportunity to grow. So always find ways you can improve and enhance your knowledge. You never know what you could gain from it.
–Dr. Emily Saunders
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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SUBWAY’S Advice Alley
It’s All About the Litter Box!
Hedgehog Happy After Tooth Issue Resolved Koda Gets Well Koda is a 3-year-old male hedgehog that initially came in to see Dr. McGinty for swelling over his left cheek and under his left eye. His owners, being very astute, noticed his appetite had decreased slightly over the past several days. He was also pawing at his face and was uncomfortable when someone tried to pet him in that area. On physical examination, he had a firm swelling with mild purple skin discoloration over his left cheek. He had also lost several ounces since his last visit. Koda is a very sweet and social boy so Dr. McGinty was very easily able to do a thorough oral examination. After lifting his left lip, we saw that there was severe gingivitis and swelling coming from his upper left jaw associated with his molar and premolar teeth. With concerns for likely dental disease or oral cancer, Koda was started on an oral antibiotic called Clavamox and an oral anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication called Metacam. With this treatment, the facial swelling initially resolved completely. Koda returned to see Dr. McGinty two months later for recurrent swelling. Based on the initial response to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, we suspected the cause to be an underlying abscessed tooth. To further evaluate his teeth and oral cavity, Koda was placed under general anesthesia and a thorough oral examination and dental radiographs were taken. Radiographs showed bone loss due to severe abscessing of his upper left molar and premolar. On examination, these teeth were also loose. To resolve the infection, Dr. McGinty carefully extracted the two affected teeth and flushed the area with water. Koda recovered from anesthesia very well and was sent home with his owners. He was started back on oral antibiotics and pain relief medication. Koda’s owners were told to monitor his appetite closely and any signs of pain such as pawing at his face or drooling. At his recheck examination two weeks later, Koda’s facial swelling had completely resolved and his extraction sites had completely healed. The owners reported that he was eating well and taking his medication like a champ! Koda was back in for his semiannual examination in December and is continuing to do very well, with no recurrent facial swelling or pain. Dental diseases are a very common ailment in not just dogs and cats, but in our small mammal patients as well. If possible, teeth brushing with a veterinarian-approved toothpaste and brush is best. However, most pocket pets are not enthused about having their teeth brushed. Therefore, it is very important to supply them with a variety of wood-based chewing blocks/sticks and to provide high-quality hard food to help support oral health.
Meowlo, newsletter friends! It’s your feline friend, Subway, and today we will discuss preventing urinary infections.
Let’s first start with the bin . You can purchase litter boxes at your local pet store or use a storage container. You should get a container that is as long as your cat — from their nose to the tip of their tail — and a box they can turn around in without touching the litter box’s sides. For my kitten and senior friends, you want a container that is low enough for them to get in and out of; you may even want to consider a ramp and installing a nightlight for our older felines. Additionally, if you have more than one feline, you want one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. The litter box should be placed in an area away from appliances, loud noises, and anything of value. A spare bathroom or bedroom will work great. If you have a two-story home, having at least one litter box on every level for easy access and convenience is best.
Homemade Cat Food for Picky Pets
Inspired by TopDogTips.com
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Contact us! 319-743-0554
Next comes the litter itself. I can’t believe the different kinds of litter you can buy at the store because there are so many options. So, it’s best to buy litter that has clumping capabilities, is unscented, and isn’t a clay formula. When you fill your container with litter, you should fill it to where your cat can dig and bury their urine and fecal matter — 3 inches deep is recommended by my human, Dr. Saunders. Once you have the proper container and litter, next is everyone’s favorite part, cleaning out the litter box! I don’t know about you, but I love it when my human empties my bin. I love to watch Dr. Saunders while she does it and then use it as soon as she’s finished cleaning it. If you can, it’s best to clear out all clumps at least once a day, fill the container with new litter every week, and clean the entire litter box itself each month. Although it’s a lot of maintenance to prevent urinary infections, it’s better than treating them. I know I appreciate my human’s efforts to keep my litter box fresh and clean, and your feline will, too. If you have any questions, Dr. Saunders and the rest of the team at Petersen Pet Hospital would be happy to provide you with additional strategies.
The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January-May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days. If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went remote, you lost out on travel time in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay. Visit the national parks. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more of these natural gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience. Drive the California coast. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more! Hop aboard a cruise. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise, you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead! All Aboard the Extended Vacation Trend Top 3 Vacation Destinations for a Longer Stay
Do you have a picky feline who will turn its nose up to everything you offer? Try this homemade cat food that even picky eaters can’t refuse!
INGREDIENTS • ¼ cup chicken breast, unseasoned • ½ cup long-grain rice • ½ cup water
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½ ounce canned clams, chopped (with liquid) 1 tbsp beef or chicken broth
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DIRECTIONS 1. Cook chicken in oven or stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. Cook rice according to package instructions. 2. Once the rice and chicken are cooked, in a large bowl, combine rice, chicken, canned clams, and broth. Mix until all ingredients are combined. 3. Let mixture cool completely, then place in your cat’s food bowl and serve.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554
Inside This Issue
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
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Where Did You Sit in Your Classroom?
PRIMARY
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BLACK Helping a Sweet Guy Live Pain-Free Subway’s Advice Alley — How to Prevent Urinary Infections 50% BLACK
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Homemade Cat Food for Picky Pets Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations
SECONDARY
Roger to the Rescue!
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NEVER DOUBT A CANINE’S SENSES ONE SNIFF CAN SAVE A LIFE
Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong.
The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo.
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died.
Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight.
Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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