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Pets First Monthly
January 2026
Prescription Peace of Mind Why Purchasing Your Pet’s Medication Through Us Matters
Hello, and welcome to 2026! I hope you and your pets are well and excited to start a new year. Naturally, most people recently made resolutions that they’ll work to keep over the next 12 months. At Petersen Pet Hospital, our New Year’s resolution, year after year, is to provide your pets with the best care possible. That said, there’s one element of our services that is especially meaningful to us. With so much focus on human healthcare in the media and in everyday conversations these days, I’d like to take a moment to refocus that discussion on our pets and discuss the best ways to fulfill their prescription needs. Unfortunately, as some of our clients have learned the hard way, not all pet prescription services are created equal. Online marketplaces like Amazon are convenient, but they may not always deliver on their promises. I once heard from someone who scratched their head when a package of pills for their pet arrived. The pills had the same name, but they looked completely different from the ones their pet had taken in the past. The pet owner’s suspicions that something was “off” were confirmed when their pet (thankfully) refused to eat the pills. Ordering from a third party can be risky … and potentially hazardous for animals!
Sometimes, ordering your pet’s medicine through a pharmacy not affiliated with your veterinary provider can prolong the process if the pharmacist has questions about the prescription or requires additional verification. These requests can take time away from veterinary providers, resulting in delays in our ability to care for other pets. Just as there can be a lot of logistics to sort through when getting your prescriptions, the same thing can happen with your pets’ medications. Petersen Pet Hospital is very sensitive to these issues, which is why we’ve been proud to offer an online prescription service for pet patients for the past several years. By going to Shop.PetersenPetHospital.com/pet or clicking the “Online Pharmacy/Food” tab on our website (PetersenPetHospital.com) , you’ll have access to a variety of safe and reliable medications provided directly by us. We also offer home delivery, easy refills, and competitive pricing. Unlike taking your chances by ordering from a seller you don’t know, you can rest assured that we guarantee the quality of the medications we offer and work exclusively with a veterinary-approved distributor. Ordering from us helps reduce our administrative tasks with outside pharmacies, allowing us to spend more time with each pet patient who visits us. Every purchase helps us invest in improved technology, staff training, and medical equipment, all of which directly benefit our clients’ pets. Most importantly, we know your pets and want to make sure they receive the correct medication every time. Recently, we sent a survey to our clients to gather information on, among other things, where they currently purchase their pets’ prescriptions. We thank you in advance for filling it out, as it helps us determine ways to expand and improve our in-house services. Please contact us if you have any questions about the survey or would like to learn more about our online pharmacy. As always, thank you for your continued support of Petersen Pet Hospital! Together, we can ensure your pets receive the safest medication, the best care, and the most compassionate personal attention.
PetersenPetHospital.com
Happy New Year! I hope this message finds all my faithful furry (and otherwise) readers well. With the new year comes new responsibilities for yours truly, as I was recently named the chief barketing officer at Petersen Pet Hospital! I’m honored and humbled to receive this promotion, and I promise, with all four paws, to serve our clients and my fellow Petersen Pet Hospital team members to the best of my ability. As my first act in this new role, I’d like to share some tips for keeping your dogs safe and happy this winter. I’m quite the expert on the topic, as I love running around and playing in the snow. First and foremost, remember that if being outside is cold for you, it’s definitely cold for SAM’S CORNER Cold-Weather Canine Care
The Routine Checkup That Saved His Life JAKE’S STORY
us . Be sure to limit our outdoor walking and playtime in below-freezing temperatures this time of year, especially when there’s a wind chill. If your canine companion has short hair, be sure to bundle them up in a sweater or coat to help keep them warm. Of course, cold cars are never fun for us dogs, so please never leave us in one!
Jake the pug has always been a happy little guy: full of wiggles, snorts, and tail wags. When his dad brought him to Petersen Pet Hospital for his annual checkup, everything seemed perfectly normal. He was eating, playing, and loving life. His visit was just meant to be routine: an exam, some bloodwork, a few extra treats, and back home again. When his bloodwork results came back, our team was shocked to discover that Jake had almost no platelets in his bloodstream.
Platelets are tiny cells that assist
with blood clotting. Without them, even a minor bump or bruise can lead to dangerous
internal bleeding. The condition
Jake was diagnosed with is called immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP). In dogs with IMTP, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the body’s own platelets. This issue can happen suddenly and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Common signs of IMTP include bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or small red spots on the skin or gums, known as petechiae . However, some dogs, like Jake, may show no outward symptoms at all until the condition becomes severe.
Thanks to his routine wellness testing, I was able to catch Jake’s condition early. He was immediately started on corticosteroids , a medication that helps calm the immune system and stop it from attacking the platelets. Over several weeks, Jake’s platelet count began to climb and stabilize. We’re happy to report that he made a full recovery! Jake’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of regular exams and bloodwork for our pets, even when they appear perfectly healthy. Early detection can make all the difference in identifying hidden problems before they become emergencies. Today, Jake is back to living his best pug life, enjoying walks, treats, and plenty of adventures. We’re so glad he came in when he did! —Dr. Lindsey Leo
Contact us! 319-743-0554
SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.” Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.”
Here’s a big one: Always be mindful of ice melt and snow on the ground, and be sure to wipe off our paws once we’re back inside. That stuff is irritating to us; if it’s not removed, we’ll probably try to lick it off, which will irritate our mouths. Additionally, be sure to provide us with a dry, cozy place to rest after our winter wonderland adventures. Moving forward, I look forward to providing our readers with more advice in my new role at the hospital. Please let our human staff know if you have any questions about caring for your dogs that I can answer in a future newsletter. Until next time, I’ll be busy barketing!
–Sam, Chief Barketing Officer
Dog Birthday Cake
INGREDIENTS
When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying.
• 1 cup pumpkin purée • 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free) • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cup flour • 2 tsp baking soda Frosting • 2 cups unsweetened Greek yogurt • 1 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free)
The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
• 4 large eggs • 2 tbsp honey
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease two 6-inch cake rounds and put parchment paper in them, cutting so it fits cleanly in the pan. 3. Mix pumpkin purée, peanut butter, applesauce, and vegetable oil in a large bowl until incorporated. Then, mix in eggs and honey. 4. In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking soda. 5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and whisk until combined. 6. Divide batter between pans and bake for 18–20 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely. 7. For frosting, blend yogurt and peanut butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. 8. Once cakes are cool, coat with frosting and layer.
Inspired by TakesTwoEggs.com
PetersenPetHospital.com
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 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
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PRIMARY Inside This Issue
Pure Products, Proven Providers
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50% BLACK
A Pug Patient Prevails
Winter Wellness for Woofs
SECONDARY
Dog Birthday Cake
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Tiny Paws, Big Rescue: Kitten Helps Man Survive Mountain Ordeal
Turn Cold Nights Into Warm Memories
MAKE WINTER BONFIRES YOUR NEW TRADITION DON’T LET THE FIRE DIE
Many Americans invite their friends and family for a bonfire throughout the summer and fall. Nothing beats making s’mores, sharing stories, and enjoying the flickering flame
temperatures, but be prepared to help out if someone starts to feel chilly. Have extra blankets and coats within reach so you can easily pass them to anyone in need. Provide toasty treats. Sometimes, clothes alone are not enough to protect us from winter’s chill. During these moments, it can help to eat or drink something that fills your whole body with warmth. Thankfully, you’ll have a bonfire to help you toast and warm some delicious treats. S’mores are usually the go-to, but you can also warm up hot dogs, sausages, or even corn on the cob. And don’t forget the drinks! Hot chocolate, warm apple cider, or even tea can help everyone stay comfortable and in good spirits. Add games or fun activities. Some may grow bored with traditional bonfire activities, which is why you should have an extra activity or game up your sleeve. Depending on the lighting, you could play a card or board game. If the lighting is too dim, you can incorporate other activities requiring more movement and adventure. Kids and adults alike will have fun playing a game of flashlight tag or participating in a scavenger hunt. Plus, the extra movement will help everyone stay warm!
under the moonlight. As temperatures drop and winter weather appears on the radar, some cover and ignore their bonfire area until after the cold and rainy seasons. However, you can still create an awe-inspiring bonfire during winter if you put together a plan.
Winter bonfires can quickly become a regular part of your seasonal traditions, and these strategies will help ensure your bonfire is a hit with everyone who attends.
Help people stay warm. Nobody wants to sit outside in the dark and freezing cold. Encourage everyone attending to dress in warm clothes appropriate for the frigid
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