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Pets First Monthly
June 2022
WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM ANIMALS These Lessons Will Help Us in Our Everyday Lives
Growing up in the city, I never experienced life on a dairy farm. I was used to busy streets and living in a city that never seemed to rest. But then I met my husband, Brian, a hardworking dairy farmer. Brian has been a dairy farmer and a part of the industry his entire life. He works with his parents on the farm, and let me tell you, this is a tough and demanding job.
come and get me out, and I learned never to wear sandals to the farm ever again.
I love that my husband and I are both in the animal industry. We can learn a lot about life by working with
animals. I’m happy that my kids get to be a part of this journey and see
Dairy farming is a constant job. My husband works in the mornings through the night, seven days a week. He has no holidays or sick days off, and he even went to work one time when he had a broken rib. It’s inspiring to see how much he loves his work and the hours and dedication he puts into it every day.
firsthand everything involved in taking care of animals. Our kids spend a lot of time at the dairy farm, and they help their dad tend to the cows. Having them help on the farm is great because they see the hard work, dedication, and effort it takes to care for the cows. These lessons will stick with them for the rest of their lives and can help them in the future.
When I first went to the farm with Brian, I was intimidated by the cows. But after spending some time with them, I noticed that cows are gentle creatures. So I decided to look
at them like they were Great Danes. One of my favorite cows was a Brown Swiss cow named JoJo. I watched her turn from a calf to a cow, then to a mom. It was amazing seeing her transform, and every time she saw me, she would run over to me so I could pet her. I loved her personality.
Whenever you want to pursue a career, a hobby, or a sport, you have to put in the time and effort to achieve your goals. My kids have firsthand experience of what these actions look like in the real world. It makes me happy to see my kids grow into these characteristics and show compassion for whatever they pursue. With June being Dairy Month, I wanted to thank my husband for all the hard work, dedication, and compassion he puts into taking care of the farm and the cows. I also want to thank any of you who are dairy farmers or know any. Being a dairy farmer is a hard job, and I can’t thank you enough for your time to ensure that we have milk and dairy products in our supermarkets and houses.
One of my favorite and funny memories on the farm was when I got stuck in the mud. During springtime, it’s always really wet, and mud
is usually involved. Since I was so used to the city, I wasn’t aware of the proper footwear you needed to have on the farm. So, I wore sandals to the farm one day, and I bet you can see where this is going — I got stuck! Brian had to
–Dr. Emily Saunders
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Daisy’s Co Has a Good
Daisy is a 2-year-old, usually very happy, friendly, and healthy English cream retriever. Daisy’s owners became very worried when she was lethargic during her regular afternoon walk, and it suddenly became very difficult for Daisy to breathe. Her owners called Petersen Pet Hospital and were seen right away by Dr. McGinty. On examination, Daisy was holding her neck out trying to get more air and had a grossly audible wheeze. Her gum color was also mildly blue-purple, which is a sign of low blood oxygen levels called cyanosis. Daisy was immediately started on supplement oxygen. When listening to her heart and lungs, Dr. McGinty noticed her lung sounds were harsh and some wheezing was present. A blood oxygen monitor was placed and her blood oxygen was very low at 69%. A healthy dog’s blood oxygen should be between 95% and 100%. Dr. McGinty was
Stacy is a registered veterinary technician here at Petersen Pet Hospital. She always has a positive attitude and is ready to help an animal whenever she can. Her favorite things to do as a vet tech include performing teeth cleanings, assisting the doctors in surgery, and monitoring anesthesia. She plans to work toward getting her VTS (Specialty) over the next two years. Stacy spent the early years of her life living in Marion, Iowa, until 2004 when her family moved to Moore, Oklahoma. She continued to live in Oklahoma until graduating high school in 2012. Despite living in Oklahoma for eight years, Iowa had always felt more like home to her so she decided to apply to Kirkwood and began school in spring 2013. Stacy originally went to Kirkwood for theater, but she felt she wanted to have a more fulfilling career. Stacy has always had a huge love for animals, so in the summer of 2014, she decided to join the Veterinary Technician program at Kirkwood. She graduated in 2016 and became a registered veterinary technician that fall. Stacy has completed Fear Free Levels 1-3 and Elite Certification. This certification means that she has achieved the highest level possible regarding ways of making the entire process of taking your pet to the veterinary office much less stressful and fearful. Stacy occasionally works with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) in Kansas City regarding item writing for the Veterinary Technician National Board exam. Stacy currently lives in Marion with her husband, Drew, and their two dogs, Lady Jane (Great Pyrenees mix) and Ember Rose (golden retriever). Lady Jane and Ember are loved very much and enjoy playing outside in their big backyard. She has two chinchillas (Kiki and Gigi) and a saltwater fish tank, too. Meet Stacy, Registered Veterinary Technician
concerned with either something being stuck in her throat, or a severe lung infection causing her difficult breathing. X-rays were taken to look for an underlying cause. Her lung X-rays showed signs of inflammation of the lower airways and decreased air filling of her lungs. No foreign material was found in her lungs or throat. With her low blood oxygen and X-ray findings, Dr. McGinty was concerned for a bacterial or fungal infection or severe allergic reaction. Daisy was started on injectable steroids and antibiotics. Her blood oxygen level improved dramatically over the next hour and was very slightly low at 90%, so oxygen supplementation was discontinued. With Daisy now stable, she was sent home with her owners to be monitored
In her spare time, Stacy enjoys watching movies, listening to Taylor Swift, baking, playing video games, and spending time with her family and friends.
Abnormal X-rays
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White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Condition d Outcome
3 Dreamy Trails in the Northeast
closely and was started on oral antibiotics, steroids, and antifungal medications to treat any infection and inflammation that may have been present. At her recheck the following morning, Daisy was feeling much better and her oxygen level was normal at 98%. Her lungs sounded very normal and her gum color was nice and bubble gum pink. A fecal test was done to rule out parasites, which was negative. A fungal test was also ran, which also returned negative. At her one- and two-month follow-up appointments, she was still doing fantastic after having finished all medications. Repeat X-rays were also very normal. Owners reported that she is back to her normal playful and happy self with no additional breathing issues.
Get Your Hiking Boots On!
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states.
No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
With her rapid response to therapy and her changes on X-rays, Dr. McGinty diagnosed her with a severe allergic reaction and a possible asthma attack, causing sudden onset breathing difficulties. He instructed her owners to monitor Daisy closely for return symptoms and to contact us right away so we can start treatment again quickly. Typical treatment for severe allergic bronchitis or asthma in dogs includes steroids to help with inflammation and to calm down the immune system, and medications to help her breath better. Causes of allergic reactions in dogs include insect bites, reactions to chemicals (such as cleaning products and deodorizers), and molds or pollens. We are all so happy that Daisy has continued to do well after this scary episode.
If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes.
No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island
If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss this perfect trail. Follow this walk along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages.
No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont
As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!
Daisy 1 month after treatment
If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!
2 months later — normal X-rays
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Inside This Issue
Cows Are Just Like Dogs — But Far Bigger!
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PRIMARY
BLACK Meet Stacy, Registered Veterinary Technician Daisy Recovers Quickly 50% BLACK
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3 Dreamy Northeastern Hiking Trails
SECONDARY
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The Bull This Small Town Needed
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BE LIKE BUSTER THE BULL Finding Kindness in the Pasture
Nothing compares to a good friend. They’re someone who will listen and provide support when you need it most. For everyone in Spartanburg, South Carolina — and eventually the whole world — that was Buster the Bull. Buster’s talent for companionship wasn’t discovered until Wynne Smith moved into the farm next to Buster’s. After he appeared in her barn one day, Wynne was a little scared, but soon, as Wynne told Reader’s Digest in August 2021, Buster became a confidant. “Somehow, he knew when I was home and would come to stand next to my house, and we’d talk over the fence,”Wynne said. “If I had a hard day at work, he heard about it. If something exciting was going on at home, he heard about it. He would stand or lie beside the fence and keep me company, give a knowing glance or breath, and I would feel better. When it was time to end the conversation, he’d turn and walk away.” As Wynne’s connection to Buster grew, she began posting about him on Facebook, and soon enough, the bull had a huge following. People from across the nation and the globe knew that Buster was special, with an
uncanny ability to listen and offer knowledge in a way only cows can. And he provided comfort to all who knew him.
One time, a fan of Buster’s asked if he could meet the bull. The man was dying, and one of the
last things he wanted to do was meet the cow who had given him some solace during his final days. With permission from his doctor, the man drove two hours to meet Buster, hauling a basket of apples along the way. Although kind, Buster was never one to eat apples that didn’t come from his tree. But that day, Buster knew those apples were special, and he ate them. Buster did that for a friend. In November 2020, Buster walked into the woods and laid down to pass away. He had been sick, and despite some treatment, the all-knowing bull just knew it was time. He had done what he came here to do: spread kindness.
Today, his friendship still lives on for the residents of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and all the fans of Buster the Bull.
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