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Pets First Monthly
June 2024
PAWSITIVELY PLAYFUL
SUMMER SAFETY 101 FOR PETS
Moldy Fruit Sickness and toxicity are a possibility when pets ingest moldy fruit. Certain fruits, such as those with pits or seeds, can pose choking hazards or cause dental issues if bitten improperly. It is essential to remove any moldy or potentially harmful fruit from areas accessible to pets and to exercise caution when offering them treats. Candles Commonly used for ambiance or insect repellent during outdoor gatherings, candles can pose risks to pets due to open flames or chemicals such as citronella. Pets may inadvertently knock over candles or come into contact with hot wax, resulting in burns or other injuries. Swimming Pools While swimming pools are a source of enjoyment for many families during the summer, they can also be hazardous for pets if they fall in and cannot swim or find their way out. It is essential to be wise around water and take precautions, such as covering pools when not in use or installing barriers to prevent access. Balloons Balloons can pose choking hazards if pets attempt to deflate them or become entangled in their strings. To avoid potential accidents, it is crucial to keep balloons out of the reach of curious pets. Garden Plants Various plants and materials can pose risks to pets if ingested or mishandled. Potential hazards include
Ah, the sun is shining, the breeze is crisp, and the days are longer — summer has finally arrived. Summer is a time of joy and excitement for our pets, filled with outdoor adventures and quality time spent with their human companions. However, amidst the fun, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the potential hazards of this season. Various summer activities and festivities can pose risks to our pet’s health and safety if not carefully managed. Here is a list of some potential hazards to look out for! Glow Sticks One common summer hazard is the glow stick, mainly found around Fourth of July celebrations and evening activities. These items contain chemicals that can irritate if ingested by pets. You must keep such items out of their reach and supervise them closely to prevent accidental ingestion. Corn Cobs or Bones Another concern is the ingestion of corn cobs or bones from barbecued food, which can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction or choking hazards. Dogs, in particular, have an affinity for scavenging scraps, so monitoring their access to leftover food items is essential. Campfires and Grills These items are staples of summer gatherings but pose risks to our pets. Flames and extreme heat can burn their whiskers or skin, and embers may cause harm if pets step on them. After extinguishing a fire, thoroughly douse the area with water to eliminate any residual heat or smoke that could harm curious pets.
Dr. Saunders’ dog Jim, an 11-year- old German shepherd, is looking forward to summer!
tomato plants, onions, garlic, and specific mulch containing cocoa beans or caffeine. Familiarize yourself with the plants and materials in a garden or garage and take steps to prevent pets from accessing or interacting with harmful substances. While summer offers ample opportunities for outdoor fun and bonding with our pets, remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating potential hazards. By being mindful of common summer dangers and taking appropriate precautions, we can ensure our pets enjoy a safe and healthy season filled with joy and adventure. If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your pets safe this summer, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. –Dr. Emily Saunders
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Nicole is a registered veterinary technician here at Petersen Pet Hospital. Nicole always has a positive attitude, and she looks forward to helping clients with their companions. Her favorite things to do as a veterinary technician include assisting with dental procedures and helping sick or injured pets feel better. Nicole grew up in eastern Iowa and graduated from the Kirkwood veterinary technician program in 2021. Furthermore, Nicole has been a Fear Free certified member since 2021, which means she tries to make every pet’s visit as stress-free as possible. With the help of her family, Nicole’s love for animals grew and her passion for helping them drew her into becoming a veterinary technician. Through her dad’s work she was able to learn a lot about wildlife. In her spare time, Nicole likes to spend time outdoors whether it’s reading, hiking, or playing with her dog. She recently welcomed a red Labrador retriever puppy named Kai to her family and can’t wait to go on adventures with him! Introducing Nicole, Our Vet Tech
Early April, Dr. Knutson and her team saw Sydney and Sammy, an adorable pair of 3-year-old Dachshunds for dental treatments. It had been noted at Sydney’s routine annual exam that she had fractured both upper carnassial teeth, requiring both to be extracted. On the morning of Sydney’s procedure, a thorough exam was performed. Pre- anesthetic bloodwork was run, and the results were as expected. Her EKG showed a couple of abnormalities that could indicate underlying heart disease. To be safe, Dr. Knutson and her team (Nicole and Ashlyn) obtained chest X-rays to evaluate the size and shape of Sydney’s heart. The X-rays looked great, so they proceeded with Sydney’s dental treatment. Prioritize Your Canine’s Dental Health SYDNEY’S ROAD TO RESILIENCE
Sydney was placed under general anesthesia, with all her vitals being closely monitored. Full dental X-rays were taken, and an oral exam was performed — no other teeth needed to be extracted besides the two upper carnassial teeth. Dr. Knutson surgically removed the fractured teeth. Nicole scaled and polished the rest of her teeth while Ashlyn diligently monitored Sydney’s vitals. Pain medications and a long-acting antibiotic were administered.
Sydney recovered smoothly from anesthesia. She was discharged home with her sister Sammy, whose dental cleaning also went well, with pain medications and instructions to feed them a soft diet for 10 days. Sydney is doing great after her extensive extractions. It’s not uncommon to find fractured teeth during routine exams. Dogs and cats hide oral pain well, and it often doesn’t slow their eating. It’s important to know that any treat, bone, or toy you can’t dent with your fingernail runs the risk of fracturing teeth. In addition to daily teeth brushing, we recommend diets, treats, and supplements approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help prevent tartar formation safely. Dr. Knutson, Nicole, and Ashlyn enjoyed working with the sweet sisters, Sydney and Sammy, and helping them to improve their oral health and comfort. —Dr. Knutson
Royal Dog Cake
Inspired by LoveFromTheOven.com
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In 1931, the Great Depression — the worst economic crisis in American history — had thoroughly dampened the country’s spirit. Amidst the crisis, Alfred M. Butts, an out-of-work New York architect, decided to create a game to take his mind off the economy. Aspiring to develop a classic to join the ranks of other timeless card and board games, Butts came up with the idea for a board-and-tile game he non- committedly named “Criss Cross,” which we now know as Scrabble. The Architect’s Plan At its core, Scrabble was inspired by crossword puzzles and always featured the iconic lettered tiles, each with separate quantities and point values. Butts determined the point values by surfing through his collection of local newspapers and counting how often each letter appeared. To prevent players from creating too many cheap plurals, he included only four “S” tiles in each box and assigned the letter a measly 1 point. Butts was eager to share his idea with the world, but the world was not as eager to receive it. He pitched the game to several publishers and retailers, but all rejected it. Butts had to retail it on a small scale, and the game did not become the surefire hit he expected it to be. It wasn’t until fellow New Yorker James Brunot discovered the game that things changed for the better. Brunot offered to mass- produce the game and, in exchange, would provide Butts with a portion of the profits, which Butts happily agreed to. Brunot’s Bargain As soon as Brunot secured the rights to the game, he began making significant changes to it. These included redesigning the board, its color, players’ starting position, and the location of various score multiplier tiles. But his most important contribution was changing its name to Scrabble! The owner of Macy’s then discovered the game and offered to carry it in his stores. Brunot went from creating 12 copies of the game an hour when he first acquired the rights to 2,000 sets per week by 1952. By 1954, millions of copies were sold. Today, the game has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 100 million copies. People play the game worldwide, in tournaments and living rooms alike, and it has allowed millions to share in the joy initially envisioned by a down- on-his-luck architect in a time when hope was a distant prospect. MY WORD! EXPLORING THE RICH HISTORY OF SCRABBLE
INGREDIENTS Frosting •
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1/4 cup natural peanut butter (Do not use peanut butter with xylitol/ birch sugar) 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup peanut butter
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Cake •
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1 cup flour
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1/2 tsp baking soda 1/8 cup vegetable oil
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1 egg
DIRECTIONS Frosting 1. Thoroughly mix Greek yogurt and peanut butter, then set aside. Cake 2. Preheat oven to 350 F. 3. In a large bowl, combine flour and baking soda. 4. In a separate bowl, mix vegetable oil, peanut butter, applesauce, and pumpkin purée. Once combined, add egg and mix well. 5. Combine wet and dry ingredients. 6. Grease an 8-inch round pan with oil, fill it with cake batter, and bake for 25–30 minutes. 7. Once cooled, remove from pan and spread frosting on the cake.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.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
Inside This Issue
Precautions for Pet Owners Against Seasonal Hazards
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PRIMARY
Doctor’s Case Study: X-Ray Treatment
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PMS4655
BLACK
50% BLACK
Introducing Nicole, Our Vet Tech
The Appeal and Evolution of Scrabble
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SECONDARY
Royal Dog Cake
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How a Pet Husky Prevented Disaster
PMS258
PMS292
PMS5635
PMS1215
HERO HUSKY SAVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
On Dec. 15, 2023, pet owner Chanell Bell of Philadelphia was taken aback when she noticed that Kobe, her 4-year-old miniature Alaskan husky, had dug a hole in her home’s front yard. This was a stark departure from Kobe’s usual behavior, which Bell initially dismissed as boredom and promptly refilled the hole. However, when Kobe began to dig again in the same spot, Chanell realized something was amiss.
the Bell household were old, dilapidated, and beginning to leak. After fixing the issue, the company told Bell that if Kobe had not discovered the leak, the line would have posed significant health and safety concerns for the whole neighborhood. “They told me something as simple as a light switch turning on could’ve caused an explosion,” Bell told USA Today. After Bell shared Kobe’s story on social media, it caught the attention of PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who awarded the young husky the Heroic Dog Award. Inspired by Kobe’s efforts, Bell wrote a children’s book dedicated to him called “The Dog That Saved the Block Before Christmas.”
“We’ve been here at our home for a while now, and he never digs holes,” Bell told USA Today. “So, I knew something was up.”
She investigated further, reviewing footage from the family home’s security camera overlooking Kobe’s newfound digspot. Then, she witnessed Kobe sniff the air around the area before digging the hole in the same spot again. Thinking something Kobe smelled must have alarmed him, Bell phoned Philadelphia Gas Works, which sent a crew out to investigate. The engineers discovered that the gas lines beneath
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