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Pets First Monthly
July 2023
This month is all about celebrating our independence. It allows us to fully rely on and care for ourselves so we’re not overly dependent or a burden on others. While many of us strive to be independent, have you considered how you can help your furry friends become more independent? On some level, our pets will always depend on us. When we take in a pet, it’s our responsibility to feed and care for them, entertain them, and provide them with the best life possible. However, our furry friends have some independence — we don’t have to hand-feed them, they can play with themselves or other pets, and they can be content on their own if we’re busy and unable to give them attention. But some pets experience separation anxiety, which causes them to feel extreme stress when you’re not in their eyesight. While many of our four-legged friends have experienced this, I’ve noticed it’s become more prevalent since the pandemic. Whether you adopted a pet from an animal shelter or hung out with furry friends you already had at home, you spent a lot of time with them in the early days of the pandemic! Now, as things are returning to “normal,” your pets may not be used to your leaving the house frequently. Or, if you work from home, you may notice that your pet seems more needy than usual. In both instances, your furry friend may be experiencing separation anxiety. But no need to worry! You can implement a few strategies to help your four-legged friends regain their independence. DOES YOUR PET HAVE SEPARATION ANXIETY? 3 Strategies to Help Furry Friends Build Independence
Give attention on your terms — not the pet’s. I’m sure we’ve all experienced
our cat or dog pawing at us, placing their heads in our laps, or meowing or barking at us for our attention. While it’s difficult not to cave into their tactics, you must not reward this behavior; only give them attention on your terms.
Try your best to ignore your pet when they beg for your attention. Then, when you’re done with your tasks, give them
attention and play with them. For dogs, you can practice sitting commands where they stay in one spot for a certain amount of time as you leave their sight. This can show them they are okay by themselves. Of course, when you come back, give them praise and treats for their excellent behavior. Keep departures and arrivals low-key. When you’re leaving, I know how easy it is to say goodbye to your animals, give them tons of love, and talk to them as you head out the door. But by doing this, your pet gets excited and wants to play! Then, they might sit there anxiously awaiting your return after you leave. Likewise, when we come home, many of us speak to our pets excitedly as we walk through the door. However, walk inside calmly, and once you have everything situated and you decompress, reward and give your pet attention. Exercise and playtime are helpful. One of the best ways to help your pet build independence is by incorporating daily exercise and playtime into your routine. It’s best to take your dog on walks and play with them for at least 30 minutes twice daily. For cats, play with them three times a day for at least 15 minutes. Carving out time to spend with your furry friends can have more benefits than you can ever imagine. If you have any questions about pet separation anxiety or if your four-legged friend’s behavior has changed and it concerns you, contact our office. I will happily listen and provide resources and strategies to help you during this time.
—Dr. Brad Petersen
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Advic
Carlos is a very sweet and happy 13-year-old Boston terrier mix with a lifelong history of skin problems and itch secondary to allergies. Carlos had been doing well off and on with his allergies until February this year when he developed an uncontrollable full-body itch. When he saw Dr. McGinty at the end of March, he had been living with a medical cone off and on for a year due to excessive paw chewing and ear/face scratching. Upon examination, he had developed severe sores, crusting, and green discharge on his belly. He was also missing most of the hair on his legs and face and had very red, moist, and inflamed skin around his eyes. He had developed severe ear pain and was very reluctant to have his ears touched for a thorough exam. To rule out underlying causes of his worsening itch and skin changes, Dr. McGinty first addressed his skin infection. Several samples were taken from his belly, feet, and face and were examined under the microscope. No skin mites (more commonly known as “mange”) were found. He did, however, have an abundant growth of bacteria and yeast throughout his skin. Carlos was started on a three-week course of oral antibiotics and antifungal medication to address the infection. He was also started on three times a week bathing regimen with an antibacterial/antifungal shampoo called Mal-A-Ket, plus an antibacterial and antifungal ointment for his ears. He continued on his current Apoquel oral medication for allergies and thyroid supplement for hypothyroidism. To ensure that he was being treated with the correct antibiotic, samples of the debris from his skin were sent out for bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity. Results confirmed that the correct antibiotic was prescribed. His owners were also instructed to continue keeping him in the cone to prevent excessive licking and scratching. SKIN PROBLEMS CAU CARLOS MISERY Can’t S Scratc the Itc
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup strawberries • 1/4 cup water • A few dollops of xylitol-free peanut butter (Xylitol is a sweetener sometimes found in peanut butter that is toxic to dogs.) Peanut butter and jam is a classic flavor combo — even for dogs! Your pups will love these PB&J frozen snacks to beat the summer heat. Puppy Peanut Butter and Jam Frozen Treats
DIRECTIONS 1.
Wash strawberries thoroughly and slice off the tops.
2. To a blender, add strawberries and water and purée until smooth. 3. Pour the liquid into an ice cube tray or mold until each slot is 3/4 full. 4. Using a spoon, top each ice cube slot with a small amount of peanut butter. 5. Pop the tray into the freezer and leave until completely frozen. 6. Serve treats straight out of the freezer, and watch your pup enjoy!
Inspired by Rover.com
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Border Collie Corner
Look Out for These Summer Health Conditions!
Hi, newsletter friends! It’s Sam, and I’m having an absolute blast playing with my humans, sunbathing, and spending time outdoors. However, while the summer season is all about having fun in the sun, you want to be mindful of a few health conditions that canines and felines can experience during this time. Fleas and Ticks When you or your furry friends go outside, you risk getting fleas or ticks — especially around tall grass and heavily wooded areas. I also want to note for my indoor dog and cat friends that you can still get fleas and ticks if your humans venture outside or tend to keep the windows open for you; these tiny critters can still come inside and attach to us! Therefore, putting your pets on a flea and tick preventive is vital. Allergies and Ear Infections Like humans, your four-legged friends can also experience allergies during the warmer months! You can tell we have allergies if we continuously lick ourselves, shake our heads, or scratch the same spot on our bodies. You may also notice patches of hair missing due to our licks and scratches and redness due to irritation. If this happens, please get in touch with your vet. Ear infections are also common during the summer — especially in animals that spend lots of time in or around the water. If your pets shake and scratch their heads or notice an odor coming from their ears, they may have an infection! Furthermore, the inside of our ears should be clean. Overheating Your pets can get dehydrated and overheat, too! Because of this, please ensure your furry friends have water they can drink while outside and a cool, shady area where they can relax. If your pet is panting a lot, salivating, acting restless, or lying flat out on their sides, please call your vet immediately for assistance. Oh! And while I’m at it, please be mindful when you take your pets on walks — pavement and blacktop can burn the pads of our feet. So, try to take them out during the coolest parts of the day. If you have any concerns regarding your pet’s behavior or notice any unusual symptoms, call Petersen Pet Hospital! You can also use their Pet Health Checker if their office isn’t open. Please go to PetersenPetHospital.com/client-resources/ pet-health-checker for more information.
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At his follow-up appointment two weeks later, he was substantially
less itchy, and the green discharge on his skin has resolved. He was still sensitive on his ear exam with a small amount of debris
present. The medicated baths were reduced to twice weekly, his oral antifungal was decreased in dosing, and his Apoquel was continued for long-term allergy control. When Carlos returned one month later, he was a completely different dog! His hair had all returned, he was barely itchy with just his feet, and he was doing very well for his continued twice- weekly baths. His owners reported that he had spent one full month out of his cone, which was the longest in over a year. To prevent the return of his skin infections, his owners will continue twice weekly bathing or use of a medicated mousse, and he will continue on his oral allergy and antifungal medications with the plan to recheck in July at his normal senior examination. Allergy skin diseases make up a large portion of the cases we as veterinarians see every year. When our patients stop responding to their typical allergy medications, in most cases, it is due to a secondary skin infection. This was the case with Carlos. Once the infection is treated with either topical or systems medications, the itching dramatically decreases. Medicated shampoos, wipes, and mousses can also be used for long- term maintenance to prevent and control skin infections.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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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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How to Be Independent — Pet Edition!
PRIMARY
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Puppy Peanut Butter and Jam Frozen Treats! Helping Carlos Stop the Itch
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BLACK
50% BLACK
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Border Collie Corner
SECONDARY
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The Swine That Dared to Defy
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AN UNCONVENTIONAL ‘BACON’ OF HOPE
THE STORY OF THE DANISH PROTEST PIG
In the 19th century, Denmark and Prussia couldn’t agree on where to draw their border. Both countries refused to concede or couldn’t reach an agreement on which country would ultimately control Southern Jutland, which today is Germany’s northernmost state called Schleswig-Holstein. This refusal to compromise ultimately led to war, and in 1848, Denmark won control. However, their victory was short-lived, as roughly a decade later, the Second Schleswig War was underway. This time, though, Prussia was victorious.
their pigs to create a new breed, one that had the same markings as the Danish flag. These pigs were red in color, with one white vertical stripe and one white horizontal stripe. The farmers named their new pigs Protestschwein, or the Danish Protest Pig. This protest pig quickly became the mascot of Danish cultural independence, and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed by Prussian authorities. In 1881, a local Prussian police station sent communications back to the government in Berlin that farmers were breeding strange-looking pigs. However, while they could not prove that farmers were knowingly breeding the pigs to look like the Danish flag, “it was believed that the farmers were well aware of this and that this pig represented an affront to the Prussians,” according to records from the Red Holstein Breeders Association.
After their victory, the Prussian authorities slowly began to move into the peninsula, implementing new laws over the Danes living there. These new laws prohibited anything Danish, including all uses of the Danish flag. Needless to say, the Danes were not happy — especially the farmers. These Danish farmers knew they had to protest this oppressive Prussian government, but they couldn’t just publicly wave the Danish flag. So, they got crafty. Danish farmers began to crossbreed
Today, the Danish Protest Pig is recognized as its own breed but has a different name: the Husum Red Pied. And, the now-German state of Schleswig-Holstein supports the protection of this pig due to the cultural
significance it offered its Danish ancestors so many years ago.
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