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Pets First Monthly
August 2026
How My Team Came Through for Trever FROM PANIC TO PEACE
Whenever I get a phone call at work from my husband, I know it’s not a good thing … especially when that call suddenly takes me from being a veterinarian to being a veterinary client. Within seconds of answering that ring on a Monday afternoon earlier this year, I heard a sentence that immediately stopped me in my tracks: “I think our dog broke his leg.” “Our dog” is Trever, the wonderful German shepherd puppy who joined our family last year. I may be a trained animal care professional, but I’m also Trever’s parent. In that moment, all my veterinary skills went out the window. I forgot everything I would advise a pet guardian to do in this situation. Well, almost everything … I was still able to get my thoughts together enough to tell my husband to bring Trever to us here at Petersen Pet Hospital immediately. One of Trever’s front legs was indeed broken; in fact, he fractured his radius and ulna bones. He had gotten off his leash and wandered into a beef cow lot, where one of the cows essentially ran over him. I was so worried he would never walk normally again.
I’ve always believed in our team’s skills, compassion, and dedication, but I really learned just how amazing they are that day. They really helped me get through the stress of the moment. We got Trever all bandaged up and put a splint on him. From there, he received a visit from the person who really saved the day and put this fretting dog mom’s mind at ease. Dr. Adrian, our mobile veterinary surgeon, has been a tremendous help to us since we began working with him about 2 1/2 years ago, enabling us to provide orthopedic surgery to our patients without their needing a referral. He was educated at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, where he fell in love with his specialized work. He visits us at least once a month to perform knee surgeries and other orthopedic care for animals. I already knew he was a deeply caring person, but seeing how he worked with Trever made me realize how fortunate we are to have him. With assistance from one of our awesome technicians, Hailey, Dr. Adrian put a plate in Trever’s leg and set him up for successful healing. Except for very short leash walks outside, Trever was restricted to his crate for six weeks. I’m glad my husband and I had crate-trained him early (something I recommend all puppy parents try), as it made the time go much more smoothly. This story has a happy ending, as Trever is back to being his crazy self! He’s running and jumping everywhere, and he acts like nothing ever happened. The fur on his leg has grown back, and nobody could tell he was injured. Best of all, he celebrates his first birthday this month! As for Trever’s mom … I couldn’t be more thankful to Dr. Adrian, Hailey, and everyone else here who took such great care of him. Being part of a team is very different from needing that team’s help, and this event showed me that our patients are truly in the best possible hands. And as a pet guardian, being able to write those words confidently means everything to me. –Dr. Emily Saunders
PetersenPetHospital.com
SUBWAY THE CHIP CH
It’s time for a cat confessional.
I wasn’t always the articulate, deadline-driven, and professional feline writer I am today. If I’m being honest, I was very naughty at times in my life. About a year after Dr. Saunders found me as a stray and took me in, I slipped out of the house and went exploring for about a full day. Eventually, I went back home to my very relieved guardians. Was it guilt over my sudden disappearing act that led me to return? Did I realize that I had made the humans who love me think the worst?
We first met Katrielle in September 2024 after she and her guardians moved here from Colorado. She was approximately 8 years old, and she had a two-month history of heavy breathing, wheezing, and making a raspy sound when purring. Her physical exam was overall normal, and chest radiographs showed possible age- related changes and evidence of low-grade asthma or bronchitis in her lungs. A trial of an antihistamine, Zyrtec, was initiated, but it didn’t help her symptoms after about two weeks of treatment. Videos revealed what seemed to be a nasal whistle, and she would sometimes sneeze. We tried Cerenia, a medication to reduce nasal drainage and sneezing, but it didn’t really help. Mysterious Murmurs THE CLUES THAT CRACKED KATRIELLE’S CASE
Nah, I was just hungry, and it dawned on me that food was easier to find at home than on the mean streets of Iowa. In any case, I knew I’d eventually be reunited with my pet parents if I had been found while wandering around. After all, I have a microchip. In honor of National Check the Chip Day on Aug. 15, I’d like to remind my human readers to make sure their pet’s
In February 2025, she had a dental procedure under anesthesia, which included radiographs of all her teeth, a thorough exam of her throat, and radiographs of her skull performed at the same time. She needed a single extraction, but it was a lower jaw tooth and would not affect
her nasal sounds or sneezing. Her skull radiographs were normal, and no masses, polyps, or abnormalities were noted on her exam. At the same time, she also received an antibiotic injection, but this didn’t change the sounds or sneezing either.
That November, she had a computed tomography (CT) scan performed of her skull and chest at a different clinic since we don’t have that imaging capability. The scan revealed fluid and some nasal changes in her left nasal cavity. This prompted us to perform rhinoscopy with a biopsy the following month.
The pathology results of the biopsies revealed mild lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis, an inflammatory disease of the nasal airways. While this disease is an ongoing condition with no cure, we finally had an answer for Katrielle’s symptoms and a path forward! Katrielle’s symptoms have since been managed with prednisolone (a steroid) to help reduce inflammation. Her breathing is better, though still sometimes abnormal- sounding, but she has much more energy to play. Her case highlights that it can take a lot of hunting to get to the bottom of symptoms. Sometimes, it takes advanced imaging, such as CT scans and rhinoscopy. Other times, there is no cure, just the end goal of minimizing symptoms. We’re grateful that Katrielle’s owner was so diligent in the hunt and in the trial-and- error of treatments. We’re happy that Katrielle can breathe better and feel better with her long-term care.
—Dr. Sarah Young
Contact us! 319-743-0554
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p
Y’S CORNER Veterans Come Home With Invisible Wounds HECK CHRONICLES
The dedicated men and women of our military sacrifice a lot to protect our freedom. After finishing their deployment and serving overseas, many return home with truly debilitating issues. It doesn’t matter whether it’s physical or mental; these individuals often need help and support readjusting to society and continuing their lives in the healthiest manner possible. Thankfully, a special program called K9s For Warriors provides veterans with a helpful companion through their Warrior & Service Dog Program. This organization provides veterans impacted by PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or military sexual trauma with a service dog at no cost. Once the veterans apply and are accepted into the program, they’re invited to a facility for an 18-day training program. The dogs have already been professionally trained, so it’s all about bonding. The veterans are even provided housing, meals, equipment, veterinary care, and training as part of the process. Once the bond is successful, the veteran heads home with their new companion. Recently, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran named Hannah participated in the program. In 2019, she was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq before receiving the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal in 2020 for her work with the Marine Corps Recruitment Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon returning home, she started to feel the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, and K9s For Warriors paired her with a golden retriever named Nola. Nola’s arrival couldn’t have been at a more perfect time, as a month later, he joined Hannah as she walked down the aisle at her wedding. Hannah stated, “This was one of the most important moments of my life, and he helped keep my anxiety grounded and reminded me to stay present. Knowing he was there by my side gave me a sense of calm and confidence that made the day even more meaningful.” Hannah and Nola’s story is just one of many that K9s For Warriors has made possible. Over the next few years, the program hopes to provide more veterans in need with a constant companion to make life easier. This Program Is Helping Them Heal
microchip information is all up to date. Please go to your microchip site and verify your contact information (name, address, phone number, emergency contacts, etc.) and ensure the microchip is still registered. (Psst … you can even upload a photo of your pet on the site!) If you haven’t microchipped your pet(s) yet, what are you waiting for? Microchipping is a quick, safe,
and easy procedure, similar to administering a vaccine, and the microchip itself is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. Trust me, it’s no big deal! One thing to remember: A microchip is not like a GPS; you can’t use it to track your pet(s) if you lose them. Think of it more as a permanent form of identification that stays with us everywhere we go.
On that note, I’m off to get some lunch … at home , I promise!
Banana Dog Treats INGREDIENTS
• 3 medium bananas • 3 1/2 cups oats, divided • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds, optional
DIRECTIONS
• •
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl.
• Place 2 1/2 cups of oats in a food processor and grind until they are a flour-like consistency. • Add processed oats, cinnamon, flax or chia seeds, and remaining oats to the mixing bowl and combine. • Lightly dust the surface with flour and roll out the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thick. • Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. • Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and let sit for 2 hours. • Let your furry friend enjoy! Note: Store remaining treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
PetersenPetHospital.com
p.m. for team meetings) | Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | Sun: Closed
From Barn to Big Box Bliss MEET LEO, NEW JERSEY’S MOST FAMOUS FELINE
The internet may be good for giving influencers and other web-based celebs their 15 minutes of fame, but only a true star can make an online presence last for years. And at a Home Depot in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, there’s no internet figure more celebrated, or living more fabulously, than Leo the cat. In 2023, the friendly feline caught the attention of TikTok “cat dad” Jeff Simpkin, who recorded and posted a video of Leo’s lush accommodations and lifestyle after encountering him nestled in a tiny paradise inside the Garden State home improvement store. Leo soon caused a stir among Simpkin’s 358,000 followers, easily becoming one of the most popular cats in cyberspace. Before his meteoric rise to superstardom, Leo was a barn cat in need of a new home after arriving at an animal shelter. He soon caught the eye of
Home Depot staff, who adopted him and began creating a safe, nurturing environment for him at the store. Since 2022, he’s lived in opulence, complete with on-site Home Depot team members serving as caretakers, a cat tree, a comfy bed, a “mobile bed” shopping cart, and plenty of safe space to roam. “Customers come in the store every five minutes looking for him,” said John Vazquez, the store’s manager, in a 2023 story by Philadelphia magazine on the Leo phenomenon. As of spring of 2026, he continues to enjoy the high life, often adorned in T-shirts while surrounded by toys. He’s also happy to have visitors, who are encouraged to sign his special guestbook at the store. Home Depot personnel ensure he’s always up to date on his vet visits and stays as healthy and happy as possible.
Internet fads and fame-seekers come and go, but the incomparable legend that is Leo lives on.
Referring a loved one or friend is the greatest compliment you can give us. We appreciate your trust in us, and your referrals mean the world to our team. To say thank you, we’ve created a special referral program just for you! Here’s how it works:
• Refer a new client to our pet hospital by giving them a referral card. • Once they come in for their first appointment and bring in the card, you’ll receive a Petersen Pet Hospital gift certificate. • The more you refer, the more you earn!
REFERRAL REWARDS: •
1st referral: $5 gift certificate 2nd referral: $10 gift certificate
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3rd referral: $15 gift certificate
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And it keeps growing — there’s no limit!
Gift certificates can be used for any service or purchase in the clinic.
PROGRAM DETAILS: • You must be a current client in good standing. • Referred clients must complete their first appointment. • Gift certificates are sent after the first visit is completed.
Your loyalty and support mean everything to us, and we’re so grateful to be part of your pet’s care. Thank you for continuing to share your friends and family with us! ⭐ LOVE YOUR EXPERIENCE? LEAVE US A REVIEW! Your feedback helps us grow and continue providing the best care possible for your pets. If you’ve had a great visit with us, we would truly appreciate you taking a moment to leave us a Google review. Not only does it help our team, it also helps other pet owners in our community find a veterinary clinic they can trust. Here’s how to leave a review: • Search for Petersen Pet Hospital on Google.
CLIENT REFERRAL PROGRAM
• Click “Write a Review.” • Share your experience. Thank you for your support — it truly makes a difference! 💙
Contact us! 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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