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Pets First Monthly
November 2022
Seeing your furry friends happy and healthy on the inside and outside is our utmost priority. Because of our love for animals, we treat your pets as if they were our own. But that’s not the only reason we are so passionate about improving the lives of our furry friends. All of the doctors at Petersen Pet Hospital have individuals (and animals) in our lives who’ve influenced us to become veterinarians. FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS Why Our Vets Are Vets
Dr. Krystal Knutson Growing up on a plot of land with many dogs, cats, and horses showed Dr. Knutson how important and valuable animals are in our lives. Because of her animals’ impact on her life, she wanted to impact the lives of other pet owners and their animals.
Dr. Brad Petersen My grandparents were farmers, and I grew up surrounded by many different animals. Spending time on the farms got me interested in working with animals, but my uncle, who is also a veterinarian, pointed me in the direction of veterinary medicine. I saw the kind of work he did, and it sparked my interest in the field. Dr. Emily Saunders Growing up, Dr. Saunders volunteered at humane societies and worked at two different veterinary hospitals. After seeing the doctors’ passion for every animal who entered the office, she knew this career was meant for her. Dr. Steven McGinty Because of Dr. McGinty’s experience caring for his neighbor’s pets and playing outside with his family cat and dog, he discovered his love for animals. He then began working with his local veterinarian’s office, and his passion for animals grew even more. Dr. Ann Eike Dr. Eike grew up on a farm and spent hours tending to the farm animals. She cared so much for these animals and wanted to do more to impact the lives of other animals. So, becoming a veterinarian seemed like the perfect match for her and her passion.
Dr. Hannah Green Like myself and Dr. Eike, Dr. Green grew up caring for the animals on her grandparent’s farm and her neighbor’s pets. After working at a boarding facility, Dr. Green knew becoming a veterinarian was her calling. Carol do Carmo Our newest associate veterinarian joined our team at the beginning of this year. Carol saw her mother’s passion and love for the animals in their neighborhood in Brazil and wanted to follow in her footsteps. If it weren’t for the impact of our family members, local veterinarians, and animals, none of us would be here today. We appreciate the influence these experiences had on our lives and how they shaped us into the people we are today. Thank you for trusting us to care for your furry friends. We look forward to helping you in the future!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
–Dr. Brad Petersen
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Hi newsletter friends, it’s your favorite canine, Sam, and I’m here to tell you about a condition that is ruff on dogs. My human friends may know about diabetes in other humans, but do you know that your four-legged friends can also have diabetes? What is diabetes? There are two types of diabetes your four-legged friends can have. Insulin- deficiency diabetes is when your pet’s body isn’t producing enough insulin to help your furry friend convert food into energy. And insulin-resistance diabetes , when the pancreas is creating some insulin but not enough for your pet to utilize it. Are there any symptoms? My human friends sometimes notice specific symptoms that can be early signs of diabetes in their furry friends. • Drinking lots of water. • Urinating a lot. • Increased appetite. • Extreme weight loss. • Lack of energy. If diabetes goes untreated, it can have severe effects on your pet’s body, such as cataracts, enlarged liver, UTIs, seizures, and kidney failure. So it’s best to have your pet examined sooner rather than later. Border Collie Corner It’s Pet Diabetes Month!
Homer is a handsome, 7-year-old Labrador who arrived at the hospital in June with symptoms he had experienced before. Besides not eating and feeling unwell, he was also showing a very specific stretching position (similar to what a cat does — front paws extended on the floor and pelvis elevated). The owners immediately recognized that something was wrong and contacted the office. Homer was seen by Dr. Carmo, who, after a thorough exam, noticed he was feeling pain in his abdomen. Homer has a history of ingesting rocks, which resulted in surgery to extract them. Despite the owner’s attempt to remove all the rocks on their property, Homer occasionally finds them. This information led to radiographs that discovered a big stone in his intestines. Dr. Carmo recommended hospitalizing Homer to evaluate whether he could eliminate the rock on his own. Homer received fluid therapy and medications throughout the day to help with nausea, pain, and discomfort. The next day, new radiographs determined that the rock was in the same spot. At this time, despite being stable, surgery was warranted. Dr. McGinty successfully removed the rock, and Homer stayed a couple of days more to receive appropriate treatment. During his stay, the entire team ensured he was comfortable and well-loved. His recovery went great, and Homer now continues to be a very happy Lab! Rock-Eating Habit Makes Homer a Repeat Customer
Tasty Turkey Triangles for Cats
Inspired by Be.Chewy.com
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Come Out and Play
How do veterinarians diagnose diabetes? If your four-legged friend is showing symptoms of diabetes or if you complete your Petersen Pet wellness profiles, our veterinarians can test your pet’s glucose levels by taking blood and urine samples. Is diabetes curable? Unfortunately, diabetes is not curable but is treatable. Ask your friends at Petersen Pet Hospital about different diets and nutrition plans your dog can eat. You can also give your furry friends a twice-daily shot of insulin to help them get the glucose they need to convert it to energy. Ensure your animals get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily to help avoid sudden spikes or drops in glucose levels. In honor of Pet Diabetes Month, check in on your furry friends and ensure they are healthy on the inside and the outside. If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health, Petersen Pet Hospital will be happy to assist you! Goodbye, friends! I look forward to barking and wagging my tail with you next time. — Sam INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup ground turkey (you can use your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving — just make sure to grind it up first) • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour • 1 egg • 1/2 tbsp olive oil DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, whole wheat flour, egg, and olive oil until you have a meaty dough. Knead dough into a ball. 3. Flour the work surface and roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place dough on baking sheet. 4. With a knife, score 1/2-inch rows into the dough. Then, score diagonal lines across the rows to create a diamond pattern and score diagonally the other way to score the diamonds in half, creating triangles. 5. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool, break the triangles apart, then give one to your kitty! Let your cats indulge in the turkey this Thanksgiving, too! The best part is that this recipe will yield lots of leftovers for weeks to come!
Staying Active in Cold Weather
Winter is almost here, and as the weather gets colder, many people use it as an excuse to stay inside and on the couch. But if you don’t want to wonder what happened to your fitness goals when spring comes around, now is the time to start preparing. Here’s what you need to know to comfortably enjoy outdoor exercise in low temperatures. First, there’s good news: Your chance of frostbite in 5 degree F weather is less than 5%. So, outdoor exercise is perfectly safe most days of the year. Just stay inside when there’s a particularly nasty wind chill and don’t exercise on icy surfaces. But while you probably won’t be hurt by outdoor winter exercise, there’s no denying it can be unpleasant if you aren’t prepared. One school of thought suggests there’s no bad weather, only poorly chosen clothing. So, if you want to exercise outdoors in the winter, you must set yourself up for success with the proper gear. Dress in layers and put them on in the correct order. Opt for a moisture-wicking material as your bottom layer, then add a warm insulating layer, followed by a wind and water-resistant jacket on top. Remove items as you get warmer so you don’t trap sweat. Also, remember the wool socks, gloves, and hat. Another way to keep yourself comfortable during an outdoor workout is to warm up longer before beginning. Exercise in cold weather makes strains and sprains more likely, and a warmup will keep you safer. Plus, the additional movement before heading outdoors will help the temperature change feel less jarring. You’ll want to protect your skin from the harsh air. One of the best ways to do that is by staying hydrated. Though it sounds obvious, many people feel less thirsty when exercising in the cold and don’t drink enough water. Also, moisturize regularly and protect your nostrils and lips from the wind with petroleum jelly or Carmex. Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen — if skiers can get a sunburn, so can you!
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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
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For the Love of Animals
PRIMARY
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BLACK The Petersen Team “Rocks” Border Collie Corner 50% BLACK
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Tasty Turkey Triangles for Cats Getting Outdoors Despite the Cold
SECONDARY
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Calico Cat Saves Owner From Would-Be Burglars
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PMS292
PMS5635
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GUARD CAT MODE ACTIVATED Feline Defender Prevents Robbery
We’ve heard of guard dogs, but have you ever heard of a guard cat? Well, Bandit the calico cat somehow knew exactly what to do when she spied intruders at her owner’s back door! Some may call it instinct, some may call it luck, but to Fred Everitt, she’s a hero. Everitt, a 68-year-old retired oral surgeon, was sound asleep in his Mississippi home on Sunday, July 24, when Bandit started letting out deep meows sometime between 2:30–3 a.m. Everitt assumed Bandit had seen another cat or other animal outside. Cats tend to be active at night, and Bandit is no exception. She’s been known to roam the living room and explore the kitchen cabinets while Everitt sleeps soundly. He quickly realized it was something else when she came into his room and tried to pull his comforters off and clawed at his arms. Bandit’s behavior was unusual, so Everitt knew something was wrong. “She had never done that before,” Everitt said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?’”
Bandit’s persistence eventually pulled him from bed, and after throwing his robe on, he went to investigate. When he finally got into the kitchen, he noticed two figures — one with a crowbar and one with what looked like a handgun — trying to break into his back door. By the time Everitt returned from retrieving his own handgun, the intruders were gone. Thankfully, it didn’t turn into a confrontational situation, and Everitt gave credit to the 20-pound cat that he adopted from a Humane Society. If it hadn’t been for Bandit’s alertness, it could’ve been a completely different story. “I want to let people know that you save a life when you adopt from a pet shelter or rescue one,” Everitt said, “but the tides could be turned. You never know when you save an animal if they’re going to save you.”
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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