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Pets First Monthly
November 2025
Golden Gifts for Timeless Tails LESSONS IN PET LONGEVITY
There are certainly a lot of special events and holidays hitting our calendars this time of year, but one in particular means the world to us here at Petersen Pet Hospital. November is Senior Pet Awareness Month, a great time to celebrate the love, wisdom, and companionship our older pets bring into our lives. Dr. Saunders did a wonderful job with last month’s cover article on caring for senior pets, and I’d like to share a few thoughts of my own on how best to treat the older animal companions in our lives. Some people ask, “What’s considered a senior pet?” Well, it depends on the species and size of the dog or cat. Generally, a dog or cat is considered a senior once it reaches 8 years old, but larger-breed animals tend to age faster than small-breed ones. As pets age, they often experience problems with mobility and arthritis, as well as dental, hearing, and vision issues. They may also experience abnormalities with their heart, liver, or other organs. Early detection through regular veterinary visits is the best way to care for your pets as they reach this point in their lives. Older pets should receive checkups every six months to allow us to identify issues, practice preventive medicine, and get on top of things for them sooner rather than later. Daily support at home is also essential in keeping them happy and healthy. Helping them maintain a healthy weight and providing easy access to food, water, litter boxes, and soft bedding are very helpful. Additionally, supplements (such as omega-3 to reduce inflammation and chondroitin for joints) are generally recommended and can be started at any age. Putting your pet(s) on pre- and probiotics (or on a “synbiotic” combination) is highly recommended. As with humans, pets need good exercise and a healthy diet with good nutrition. For seniors, gentle exercises that help them learn new tricks and activities that promote mental enrichment (such as taking them to new parks) will keep their minds sharp as they get on in years.
we’re doing as much as possible to prevent pain and monitor their activity to determine whether their lethargy may indicate discomfort.
Eight years isn’t a long time, and pet owners who’ve had their dogs or cats since they were little may have difficulty adjusting to the fact that their companions may not be the same physically or mentally as they were in their earlier days. In some ways, your habits as pet owners may need to be adjusted to accommodate where they are in life. Generally, you should refrain from engaging senior pets in vigorous exercise. Additionally, metabolisms won’t be what they once were, so avoid feeding them treats you may have given them years ago that could now cause them to gain weight or negatively affect their health in other ways. Our beloved pets fill our hearts with endless joy, and we must do our best to repay their love by providing them with the best care possible. Please contact us if you’d like more information or recommendations on how to help make your pets’ twilight years the brightest time of their lives.
Older pets also tend to sleep more often than they did when they were younger. Although they may not be as active as before, we still want to be sure
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Hello, and welcome to another big holiday season! I hope all my fans (furry and otherwise) are doing well. I love seeing humans get together this time of year. After all, humans gathering in large numbers typically means a lot of eating. They love great food, and I love great food. It’s an instant win-win, right? SAM’S COR TURKEY TIME PET-CARE TIPS
Hunny is an adult Pomeranian who arrived at an emergency clinic last March for further evaluation and treatment for his inability to use his back legs after being hit by a car. He had escaped the fenced yard on the property where his family was staying. He was then relinquished to a nearby foster. Hunny’s Path to Playfulness Pomeranian Power
Well, not always.
Let’s use Thanksgiving as an example. Not all the goodies that will be on your table in a few days are good for your pets. Even if we look up at you with that cute feed-me-now look, please don’t give us turkey
bones, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and any sweets that might have xylitol in them as an additive. (What’s that? I’m a dog; how would I know? But I heard Dr. Petersen mention it as a no-no, so you should check out your ingredient labels to see if you have any food with it, and be sure to keep it away from us.)
The clinic performed X-rays and bloodwork that showed no concerning findings. He was hospitalized for monitoring, pain management, and fluids. The next morning, he was transferred to a tertiary hospital and received a CT scan of his body. Some intervertebral disc disease was detected. This traumatic intervertebral disc extrusion caused compression and bruising of Hunny’s spinal cord. Intervertebral discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in the spine that absorb shock. However, with trauma, the inner part of the disc can extrude into the area of the spinal cord and cause neurologic deficits.
If you are tempted to give a little treat to a dog or cat (which, frankly, you should be), it’s okay to feed them some 100% canned
Degenerative disc disease is a common problem in pets and causes them to experience a variety of
symptoms based on the severity of spinal cord compression. Unfortunately, pets with the condition are predisposed to future disc disease, and there is no definitive prevention to avoid disc injury in these predisposed pets. An MRI is needed to better diagnose and determine the next steps for dogs with disc disease. Hunny responded well to pain management and rest. The CT scan did not clearly indicate that an MRI was warranted at that time, so he was transferred to canine rehabilitation services for monitoring and exercise therapy.
After a short stay at his rehabilitation facility, Hunny was discharged to his foster’s care and given pain medications to help the inflammation in his back. Shortly thereafter, he was adopted by his amazing owners. Hunny’s new family brought him in right after adoption to see my team. I recommended laser therapy to decrease inflammation and pain. When his six laser therapy sessions were completed, I recommended hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill as another rehab option. His owners took him to hydrotherapy sessions from May through July. Hunny’s family reports that he went from barely standing on his back legs to running and playing alongside other dogs. He also loves meeting new people and pets, chasing birds in the yard, and joining his family at the farmers market! —Dr. Hannah Green
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RNER
Anchors Aweigh, Belly Rubs Ahead
pumpkin (but not pumpkin pie filling) or turkey in small amount. Of course, you also need to make sure that any guests you have over for Thanksgiving or any other holiday know these food rules, too.
You know what else happens this time of year? Cold weather! When you take your dogs outside (especially if they’re short-haired and/or have hit the ripe old age of 8), have them wear a sweater or coat. Also, they should avoid coming anywhere near antifreeze. Pets love its taste, but we have no idea how dangerous it can be. Also, wipe and clean our paws when we return inside after exploring the great (and chilly) outdoors.
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year-old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?” Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection. Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live full time on the USS Makin Island in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride. Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships. “Everyone is just really excited to have a furry companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?” MEET THE NAVY’S FIRST FULL-TIME MORALE DOG
Speaking of November (and after reading this month’s cover article), I want to wrap up this month’s column with a quick reminder that senior pets have so much love to give. Give them the gift of a wellness checkup at Petersen Pet Hospital to ensure they’re in tip-top shape!
–Sam
TURKEY AND SWEET POTATO MASH FOR DOGS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
DIRECTIONS
1. In a saucepan, boil sweet potatoes for 15–20 minutes until soft.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook ground turkey until fully browned.
3. Add peas and stir.
4. In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes and mix in turkey mixture.
5. Portion into servings appropriate for your pup and let them feast!
Inspired by MyDogRecipe.com
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From Crash to Comeback
Pumpkin, Paws, and Protection
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Turkey and Sweet Potato Mash for Dogs
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How a Rescue Dog Is Lifting Spirits at Sea
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Unplug and Reconnect With These At-Home Family Activities BEYOND BOARD GAMES
Sometimes, the best memories happen without ever leaving the house. In a world of busy schedules and nonstop notifications, slowing down at home with the people you love is more important than ever. However, “family time” doesn’t have to mean sitting silently in the same room, scrolling on separate screens. Here are some fun, creative at-home bonding activities that go beyond the usual board game night.
break out the spooky stories. Don’t forget to roast marshmallows over the stove, microwave s’mores, and get the giggles going with a game of Would You Rather? under your blanket fort. DIY MOVIE THEATER Pick a movie, create homemade tickets, pop some popcorn, and let each person take a role: usher, snack stand operator, director of pre-movie trivia. It’s a great experience, especially if pajamas are part of the dress code!
FAMILY COOK-OFFS Pick a theme: pizza night, taco bar, or “mystery ingredient challenge,” and split into teams. Whether it’s kids versus adults or a free-for- all, cooking together (and maybe making a mess) turns an ordinary evening into a delicious adventure. You can even offer bonus points for a judging panel and silly chef hats!
THE ‘YES DAY’ CHALLENGE Designate a day where each family member gets one “yes,” within reason. Whether it’s choosing dinner, picking a game, or deciding the music playlist for the evening, it’s a great way to give everyone a turn to feel heard and special. STORY TIME WITH A TWIST Pass around a notebook (or take turns typing) and write a progressive story. Each person adds a paragraph without knowing what the next one will be. The results are usually hilarious and fun and make for great bonding experiences!
INDOOR CAMPOUT Turn your living room into a
wilderness escape. String up fairy lights, pull out sleeping bags, and
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