Check out our April newsletter!
Pets First Monthly
April 2022
FAMILY IS EVERYTHING Quality Time Is What I Look Forward To
April 10 is National Siblings Day! My siblings have impacted me in many ways, and I’m fortunate enough to call them family. I grew up as the middle child — I have an older sister named Jenny and a younger brother named David. When we were little, we were very close, and we are still close to this day. Jenny and I are 17 months apart, so we have always had a close relationship —we even did marching band together. David and I are four years apart, and he was nice enough to play Barbies with me when we were younger. Although we all share a close bond, like most siblings, we didn’t get along all the time. But I think that made us closer because it showed us that no matter what we go through, we’re family. I knew I could always count on them and talk to them when I needed them. Likewise, they knew they could always come to me. As we got older, we all started our careers. Jenny is a kindergarten teacher in Minnesota, and David is a certified public accountant in Minnesota. As you all know, I am here in Iowa as a veterinarian. Even though I live farther away from my siblings, we always make an effort to see one
the entire family would go to Gunflint Lodge in Minnesota. We were all able to see each other and hang out. Now that my siblings and I are older, we take our families to the resort for a week. It makes me happy that we still do our annual vacation, because this is when I’m able to see all of my loved
ones. Also, during these trips, my children get to experience the same things I did when I was their age. I cherished these vacations, and I hope they will remember these trips for years to come, too.
another whenever we can. Sometimes we will meet halfway somewhere and get together for a couple of days. This is when we can catch up, and my children can see their cousins. It may be several months before I see them, but we pick up right where we left off every time we reunite.
I love having a close relationship with my siblings and enjoying the time I have with them. I want my kids to experience and share the same bond with their siblings. My children are 5, 7, and 11 years old, and sometimes they argue with one another. But I can tell they love each other and share a strong bond. I cherish the time I get to spend with my family. We don’t have to do anything grand when we’re together. To me, it’s all about quality time. Family is the most important thing in my life, and I’m so grateful to have them. Thank you, Jenny and David, for being the best siblings I could ever ask for. I look forward to seeing you both soon!
–Dr. Emily Saunders
If we’re unable to meet halfway, we always look forward to our annual family vacation. Ever since I was 5 years old,
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
1
SUBWA Advice A
Hello, newsletter friends! It’s your buddy, Subway, and I’m here to talk to you about flea preventatives for cats. Of course, these methods are beneficial to my canine friends, too, but I wanted to focus on felines. Some people are unaware that you should put flea medicine on your indoor furry friends. Flea eggs are so tiny and sticky that you can’t see them! If you go outside and walk around grassy areas, you can pick up flea eggs! They stick to you, so then you bring them into the house. These eggs will then fall into your carpet, and once the eggs turn into fleas, they can attach to your cats. A lot of the time, because we cats are so good at grooming ourselves, you don’t see evidence of infestation! We will eat the fleas. But all it takes is one flea bite, and some cats can experience an allergic reaction. The flea has substances in its saliva that can enter your cat’s skin and trigger an immune response. These bites can cause intense skin irritation that can spread across their body: We could lose our fur, and some cats will not act like their usual selves. You want to use a flea preventive year-round. Even though it may be cold, fleas can still come into your home and affect your cats. It’s best Scooby Stew Flea Protection for
Mongo is a 7-year-old Jack Russell terrier. He presented for his annual exam and vaccines this past October and was showing signs of seasonal allergies. He was licking and chewing at his front legs and paws. He was prescribed an antihistamine, but unfortunately, it wasn’t effective. He came back in a week later to see Dr. Knutson because all four legs and paws were very red with thinning hair from constant licking and chewing. Over the next two months, we tried to find out what worked best for Mongo. We wanted to get him comfortable and his itching under control until winter when seasonal allergies aren’t a problem. He was prescribed allergy medications, an antibiotic, anti-fungal, and an omega fatty acid supplement. While his itch had lessened a little, he was still uncomfortable, indicating he may have a food allergy. Right around that time, a new diet from Science Diet came out called Derm Complete. This prescription diet is formulated to help combat both seasonal and food allergies! Dr. Knutson gradually transitioned Mongo over to this new food. At his one-month re-check, Mongo was doing great! He was no longer itching, and he didn’t have to be on any medications! His legs were no longer red and inflamed, and his white coat was filling back in. We hope Mongo continues to do well on Derm Complete as the weather warms back up! Thanks to a Diet Change Mongo Finds Relief From Allergies
Inspired by HappyAndYummy.com
2
Contact us! 319-743-0554
AY’S Alley
r Cats
Your Firstborn Is Off to College!
if you use a medicine rather than a flea collar or a chewable preventive. We
cats aren’t very good at taking the chewable flea medicine, so it’s best if you use a topical flea treatment. Petersen Pet Hospital recommends that you use either Revolution or Bravecto.
Revolution flea preventative that needs to be applied once a month and can help your cat avoid fleas, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and several other infestations. Bravecto should be applied every 12 weeks to help fight against fleas and ticks. If your cat is having trouble with fleas, allow your friends at Petersen Pet Hospital to help! We can recommend a flea preventative for your furry friend and look at ways to remove the fleas. Getting rid of fleas can be annoying, but with the right precautions, you can limit the spread of these tiny pests.
Tips on How to Adjust to This Change
It’s a surreal moment when your first child packs their bags and goes to college. This is probably the first time your child is moving away from home. Although this is a huge transition for them, it’s also a big transition and lifestyle change for you as the parents. Here are some tips on how to cope. Find ways to communicate. Although you won’t be seeing your child every day, there are still ways you can stay in touch. FaceTime is a great way to visit with your child and see them— even if you’re miles apart. You may want to check on them daily, but make sure you give your child room to grow. They’re a young adult now, and college allows them to experience more independence. Focus on life. You will worry about your child since you can’t see them every day, but don’t let those worries affect the rest of your life. If you have other children at home, now is your time to strengthen your relationships with them. You can also take this period of life to renovate your home and start new hobbies. This will keep you busy and entertained while your child is away at school. Plan visits. Your child may not be able to come home and visit every weekend, but you can schedule monthly visits. Your family can visit the university while your child gives you a tour around campus. Some sporting events have family days where students can invite their families to tailgate events. This is a great way to meet your child’s friends and the families of their friends. You can also look forward to holiday breaks and the summer when you can spend time together. Sending your firstborn to college is scary because it’s something new— change can be uncomfortable — but as time goes on, things can get easier. Of course, they will miss you as much as you miss them. So, enjoy the time you have with your child and make the most of it.
This delicious doggy dinner will have your pup begging for more. If your dog prefers turkey, feel free to use that instead of chicken!
INGREDIENTS • 2 large chicken breasts • 2 1/2 cups water •
1 cup uncooked brown rice 2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed 2 lbs dog-safe frozen vegetable mix
• •
DIRECTIONS 1.
Cut each chicken breast into 6 pieces. In a slow cooker, place chicken and all other ingredients. Ensure that each piece of chicken is completely covered with vegetables. 2. Cook for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low. 3. Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken. 4. In a large bowl, stir the mixture until the ingredients are evenly mixed. 5. Wait until everything has fully cooled, then serve. (Stew can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 3 days or frozen into single-serve portions.)
3
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
PRST STD
1031 Kacena Road Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554
US POSTAGE
PAID
BOISE, ID
PERMIT 411
Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p.m. for teammeetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sun: Closed
Inside This Issue
1
April 10th Is National Siblings Day!
PRIMARY
BLACK Allergy Relief Through Diet Change Are You Using Flea Medicine on Your Cats? 50% BLACK
2
PMS4655
Scooby Stew FaceTime for the Win!
3
SECONDARY
A Heroic Dog Saves Her Owner
4
PMS258
PMS292
PMS5635
PMS1215
SHE SAVED HER HUMAN! Meet Tinsley, a Car Crash Survivor
On Jan. 3, 2022, New Hampshire State Police responded to a call about a lone dog wandering around on the interstate near Veterans Memorial Bridge. When they got there, the pup — a Shiloh shepherd named Tinsley — led the officers on what seemed to be a wild goose chase. “When Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers attempted to get close to the canine, it continued to run northbound on Interstate 89, crossing into Vermont,” the police department wrote in a Facebook post. “A short time later, Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers located a damaged section of guardrail near the Interstate 91 and Interstate 89 junction.”
“This was almost like a real-life Lassie situation,” one lieutenant told CNN. “It’s really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives. I don’t think they would have survived the night given the temperatures.”
Tinsley is a real hero on four legs, just like Lassie, a fictional pup who saved two little boys from dying of hypothermia in the snow. Fortunately, Tinsley’s grateful owner, Cam, made a full recovery. He also knows just how special his pup is.
“She gets spoiled all the time,” he told the WPTZ news station. “She’ll get some venison, probably [a] burger tonight, and probably some back scratches with it.”
It turns out Tinsley had a destination in mind: an upside-down pickup truck that had crashed through that very guardrail.
Tinsley is not the only dog who has saved a human from the cold. In the winter of 2017, a rescue pooch named Peanut saved the life of a 3-year-old girl in Michigan who had wandered away from home, and a golden retriever named Kelsey saved her owner after he slipped in the snow and broke his neck. She kept him warm for 19 hours and barked until help came. To read the full story of Tinsley’s roadside rescue, visit CNN.com and search “real-life Lassie.”
The truck had rolled off the highway, and the people who were inside — including Tinsley’s owner, Cam Laundry —were on the ground, badly hurt and hypothermic! Thanks to Tinsley’s bravery, the cops called an ambulance that rushed them to the hospital.
Contact us! 319-743-0554
4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator