Check out our March newsletter!
Pets First Monthly
March 2026
Sweet Treats, Serious Threats HOUSEHOLD POISONS FOR PETS
This article could save your pet’s life.
bleeding from various parts of their bodies. In extreme cases, they may collapse suddenly due to anemic shock. It’s essential to keep a close eye on your pets if you use this type of rodent bait, as symptoms of poisoning may not appear for 1–2 weeks.
At least a few times each month, a pet is brought to Petersen Pet Hospital after eating something they shouldn’t have, and we’ll need to induce vomiting to make them feel better and keep them out of danger. Many homes have items that can make dogs and cats sick if their human guardians aren’t careful, leading to frantic visits to our office. With March being Pet Poison Awareness Month, here are four everyday household items that can cause serious harm to our animal companions if ingested. I’ve compiled them into sections for easy reference.
Peace Lilies Peace lilies are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause vomiting, drooling, extreme lethargy, and fatal kidney failure.
If your pet has ingested any of these substances, please contact Petersen Pet
Chocolate
Hospital or (if it’s after-hours) a 24/7 emergency veterinarian right away. Let us know what they ate, approximately how much of it was consumed, and when you think your pet ate it. In most cases, we’ll induce vomiting before the substance starts absorbing in your pet’s stomach.
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two substances that have never been beneficial to dogs. Similar to how humans react to caffeine, it makes dogs feel hyped up, restless, and agitated.
Theobromine is the riskier of the two, as it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine and caffeine it contains. White chocolate generally contains very low theobromine content, so it’s unlikely to cause actual chocolate poisoning. That said, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If induced vomiting occurs within one to two hours of ingestion, your pet will be home free in most cases. If it has been more than 1–2 hours, we may still induce vomiting, but we’ll also recommend bringing your pet back in 2–7 days for bloodwork to help ensure that none of their internal organs have been affected. Here are a few quick tips to help you prevent pet poisoning at home: • Keep chocolate (including brownies and chocolate chip cookies), peanut butter, candy, and gum out of your pets’ reach. • Ensure your purses and backpacks are zipped or stored in a place that pets can’t access. • Don’t keep peace lilies in your home if you own a cat. Please keep this article handy to help keep your pets poison-free. As much as we love seeing them, we hope the next time is for a happy reason and not because their tummies need tender, loving care.
Xylitol Xylitol is a sugar substitute that can be found in items including peanut butter, candy, and gum. Dogs who ingest it can experience a dangerous drop in their glucose levels, leaving them feeling weak. In some cases, xylitol ingestion can lead to seizures, liver failure, and even death. Rodent Bait Blood anticoagulant rodent bait is exceptionally dangerous for dogs and cats. Lethargy is the most prevalent sign of ingestion, but your pets may also experience pale gums or abnormal
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SAM’S CORN
WRIGLEY’S BIG WIN Wobbly Tummy, Wonderful Recovery
Paws and Pace
Greetings, humans! I hope this year is treating you all well so far. It’s hard to believe it’s already March, but here we are!
Given that March in Iowa often means nicer weather, many of you are taking your dogs outside more than you have in the past couple of months. While exercise is generally beneficial for dogs, owners should never overdo it. Much like humans, dogs can gain weight and become less active during the winter months. Therefore, taking your furry friends out for long runs and other increased activities as soon as spring begins may be too much too soon for many of them. If you want to help them stay happy and healthy this time of year, it’s best to acclimate them to more outdoor activities gradually, rather than expecting them to return to their usual sunny-day routines right away. Starting with slower, shorter-paced walks is a great idea. For example, you can start with 20-minute walks and gradually increase them to 30 minutes after a couple of weeks. From there, you can build them up to 60 minutes or a length of time that suits your dog. If you rush dogs into springtime action too quickly, you may see them limping from sore or stiff joints. They may be slow to get up or lie down due to aggravated arthritis, or they may hesitate to go up or down stairs or get up or off furniture because of the sudden increase in activity. Above all, they may just become noticeably grumpier.
Wrigley is an 8-month-old male Australian Labradoodle puppy who typically loves playing with his toys and human family. When he suddenly became lethargic
and spent most of the evening vomiting, his owners became very concerned. They noted there was a small piece of fabric from one of his favorite toys in his vomit and that he had been drooling throughout the day. When he initially came to see Dr. Conrad, he was subdued compared to a normal, happy puppy but otherwise had a normal physical
examination. After discussing his symptoms and the fabric in his vomit, radiographs (X-rays) were taken to rule out any foreign material in his gastrointestinal tract that may be causing his symptoms. On his radiographs, there were signs of cloth-like foreign material in
several areas of his intestines and concerns for potential abnormal material in his stomach. Due to his vomiting and possible stomach and intestinal obstructions on the radiographs, Wrigley was admitted to the hospital and was prepared for an exploratory surgery and removal of any foreign material.
I took over Wrigley’s care and moved forward with surgery. Three firm foreign objects were found within his lower intestines and were removed. The three objects were all pieces of a cloth fish toy connected by pieces of string. The intestines had corrugated themselves along the connections, and the string was dangerously close to causing intestinal damage. The toy pieces were successfully removed, and his stomach was found to contain only food and water, with no further foreign material present. Wrigley recovered from anesthesia and spent the remainder of the evening resting after getting pain relief and anti-nausea medications. By the following morning, he was feeling much better and was happily pulling me around the hospital yard. He also very happily enjoyed a small breakfast. We were thrilled that Wrigley was able to go home later that evening, and he was completely back to his normal self at his suture removal after two weeks of rest and a bland diet. To prevent future incidents, Wrigley’s owners now only allow him to have toys under supervision and will avoid any cloth items or toys that are easy to chew to pieces.
—Dr. Steven McGinty
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From Homeless Mutt to Hero A Former Stray Helping Others Heal Just three years ago, law enforcement officers in Brevard County, Florida, picked up a scruffy stray dog with bad skin allergies who was wandering the streets. Seeing potential in the mutt, they enrolled him in a training program for therapy and comfort dogs. In a remarkable transformation, the former stray was recently named a national “hero dog” for comforting dozens of elementary school students after a mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Guided by his handler, Faye Okert, Sgt. Bo offered snuggles, warmth, and emotional support to children traumatized by the tragedy. “When he walks into a room, he knows who needs his help,” Okert says. “They instantly feel safe and comforted.” Sgt. Bo seemed destined for a shelter for homeless pets in 2022 when the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office enrolled him in their Paws and Stripes College, a program that trains carefully selected homeless dogs to be therapy and comfort companions. After learning about the program, Okert, an officer at the time with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, contacted the College to adopt a graduate of the program.
If you notice that your dog is uncomfortable, there are some effective joint supplements and medications out there
that can help. Additionally, laser therapy can help alleviate pain in dogs with painful joints. And, of course, no dog would ever refuse cozy, soft bedding. Yes, your dog may have become a little fatter this winter (ahem, and maybe you did, too), and it’s a good idea to get them to drop a few pounds. However, please go slow and easy with them so they can get themselves back in gear physically and really enjoy the season. And if you notice your dog exhibiting any of the
symptoms I’ve mentioned, please call Petersen Pet Hospital for help with making them feel better and more ready to enjoy the great outdoors.
–Sam Chief Barketing Officer
After seeing Sgt. Bo’s photo, however, Okert almost passed him up. He was battling skin allergies at the time and looked so scruffy that Okert was afraid people would make fun of him. She traveled to Florida, planning to ask for a different dog. But after watching Sgt. Bo in training and meeting him face-to-face, she realized
PEANUT BUTTER BANANA DOG COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
she had found the right one. She describes Sgt. Bo as “an old soul in a young dog’s body” who enjoys helping humans in distress. One of Sgt. Bo’s early assignments was to comfort Covenant School’s surviving students as they were reunited with their parents after the 2023 shooting, which claimed the lives of three children, three adults, and the shooter, a former student. Sgt. Bo was selected by the American Humane Society as America’s 2025 Hero Dog for his service to the kids of Nashville, beating out four impressive canine runners-up. Hundreds of dogs are nominated every year for the award, and the public then votes on five semifinalists. Calling Sgt. Bo’s story “inspiring,” Humane Society President Dr. Robin Ganzert said, “This scruffy superstar embodies everything the American Humane Society looks for in a dog: service, resiliency, and love.” His work, she added, “is a beautiful testament to the healing power of the human-animal bond.”
• 1 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, divided • 1/2 banana, cut into 4 pieces • 1/4 cup peanut butter with no artificial sweeteners • 1 egg
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick spray. 2. In a food processor, grind 1 1/2 cups of oats into a flour texture, then move to a medium bowl. 3. In the food processor, combine bananas, peanut butter, and egg until well blended. 4. Pour mixture into bowl with oat flour, then add the remaining 1/4 cup of oats and stir. 5. Scoop out 1 tbsp portions and roll into balls. 6. Using a fork, flatten balls and make a criss-cross pattern. Bake for 15 minutes. 7. Let cool before serving; keeps for a week in an airtight container.
Inspired by Epicuricloud.com
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1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554 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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Inside This Issue
PRIMARY
Common Toxins for Dogs and Cats
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BLACK
50% BLACK
A Fabric Fumble Fixed
A Safe Spring Start for Dogs
SECONDARY
Peanut Butter Banana Dog Cookies
PMS292 Rescue Dog Serves as a Lifeline to Traumatized Children PMS5635 PMS1215
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Making Pet Travel Less Chaotic
TRAVEL TIPS FOR CALMER TRIPS Adventures With Pets Made Easier
Traveling with a pet sounds simple in theory. You picture a sleepy cat in a carrier or a dog riding joyfully in the back seat of your car. But the reality can feel a lot messier. Most pet owners quickly learn that a smooth trip starts long before they pack their suitcases. Health is the first thing to sort out. To travel to some destinations, your pet’s vaccinations must be up to date, and they’re not the kind of thing you can update the night before a trip. Specific requirements vary by location, and some vaccines take weeks to provide full immunity. Certain destinations also require a current health certificate from a veterinarian. Letting your vet know about travel plans early will give you time to take care of these requirements so they don’t delay your vacation. Also, consider the type of travel when preparing for your trip. Car travel offers the most flexibility, but it’s not something all pets take to right
away. Some benefit from short, quiet practice sessions to settle in. Once you hit the road, don’t forget about safety. A crate or harness clipped to a seatbelt will prevent your pet from roaming your car’s interior and protect them in the event of an accident. Travel via plane or train can be trickier. The most important thing is helping your pet feel safe and as calm as possible, and that starts with their carrier. Give your pet time to become comfortable in their carrier before you leave. Providing a favorite toy, blanket, or other comfort item can also make their trip less stressful. After arriving at a hotel or rental, stick to a routine. If meals, walks, and bedtime feel close to normal, animals usually adjust to a new place faster than humans. Finding a pet-friendly space with easy outdoor access will make your stay much easier. And if your vacation plans will have you on the go for most of the day,
seriously consider whether your pet would be happier at home with a sitter.
Traveling with a pet is sure to pose a few surprises. But planning and preparing early will make the trip something you both can enjoy.
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