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Pets First Monthly
January 2022
24 YEARS OF PRACTICING AS A VETERINARIAN Gaining Knowledge and Experience Along the Way
I remember graduating from Iowa State University in 1998 and beginning my career as a veterinarian. When I first began my career, I worked with veterinarians who had more experience than me. I used to ask myself, “Will I ever get that kind of knowledge within my career?” It’s crazy to think that this month marks 24 years of practicing as a veterinarian! (Along with this milestone, I’m also turning 51 this month!) Over the years, my experience has provided me with insight to help me answer the question I asked myself 24 years ago. I feel fortunate and happy with how things have proceeded since then. Today, I am surrounded by colleagues who have similar experiences. I learned from the people around me — I was able to bounce ideas off real experts at any time, and it helped me and my future practice immensely. It provided me with the tools to become a better veterinarian, and for that, I’m grateful.
field is ever-changing. Even after 24 years in the field, I’m gaining knowledge every day.
When I first began my own clinic, I was mainly seeing patients and doing surgery. My role has changed over the years since we have grown. Now I’m managing the business more and also participating in human resources and marketing positions. I like that my role is changing and evolving because I’m the type of person who enjoys change. Transitions can be very scary, but I view these changes as new opportunities. Otherwise, I would be bored!
Being a veterinarian means being a lifetime student. You can fall behind in this field if you’re not researching new trends and cases. This is why, every Friday, we have mandatory one- hour staff training. This allows my staff and me to learn how we can take better care of our patients and clients and helps us gain a better understanding of other roles and our goals.
I have gained new skills that my younger self wouldn’t know how to do. So, yes, I do have that kind of knowledge I questioned at the beginning of my career! For example, the other day I was doing bookwork and one of my associate veterinarians needed help with interpreting an X-ray. I am always happy to help and offer my opnion, and I offered my opinion because in my decades of experience, I’ve seen many things and notice details others might miss. Repetition and experiences help me gain skills and make my job easier. I’ve realized we never really stop obtaining information. We’re practically forced to learn new material, especially being a veterinarian. There are always new treatments, medications, diseases, and risks, such as COVID-19. The entire vet
Always be open-minded to learning new things. There is always something new to research and explore, no matter how long you’ve been in your career!
–Dr. Brad Petersen
www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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Hi newsletter friends! Sam here, and I want to tell you about Petersen Pet Hospital’s Pet Health Checker. If your four-legged furry family member is going through a ruff time, the checker can help you decide if your pet needs immediate veterinary care. Border Collie Corner Try Our Pet Health Checker!
Boo’s Mysterious Adventure
It EndedWell, Thanks to Dr. Green
The Pet Health Checker is a tool that can provide you with a list of symptoms
Boo is a very dapper and friendly black, domestic long-haired cat. Boo’s owners knew something wasn’t right when they hadn’t seen him wandering and lying around the house, which was his daily routine. It was then discovered that at some point during the morning, the back porch door was accidentally left open and at that moment, his owners knew there was a very good possibility that Boo had become adventurous and went outside to explore. His owners became very worried about him. However, later that afternoon, the owners’ son was driving home from school and pulled over on the side of the road when he heard a noise coming from his car. As he came to a stop, he saw a black cat bolt from underneath the car into the neighbor’s yard. He knew Boo had gone missing earlier that day and was suspicious that the black cat he saw was his family’s beloved Boo. Thankfully, Boo got back home safe and sound, but the owners were alarmed when the saw that Boo had some large wounds on his side and his lower back leg, and they immediately brought him in to see Dr. Green. Boo was thoroughly examined and was acting like nothing happened when he came in, but since Boo’s owners didn’t know exactly what happened to him, Dr. Green and her team wanted to make sure he didn’t suffer from any internal injuries. Full body X-rays were taken, and thankfully, they saw no severe injuries. At this point, it was time to tackle his external wounds. Boo was given pain medications to make sure he was comfortable while Dr. Green’s team gave Boo a haircut to further evaluate his injuries. He had skin missing on one of his back legs, some smaller wounds, but more notably, a large laceration on his side exposing Boo’s underlying muscles and tissues. Dr. Green cleaned Boo’s wounds thoroughly and placed multiple stitches to close the large open wound on his side. Boo was sent home that evening with pain medications. While Boo’s wounds are slowly but properly healing, he hasn’t missed a beat and is still his loving self. Boo’s owners plan to keep a very close eye on him and are trying to keep the doors closed from now on.
your pet may have. It also tells you if you need to see a doctor immediately or if the issue can be monitored at home before making an appointment.
To find the health checker, go to PetersenPetHospital. com and hover over the Pet Health icon. From there, a list of items will pop up. Click on the Pet Health Checker, where you can begin the questionnaire. The first item on the screen asks you to click on whether you have a dog or a cat. You will then go to a page that asks what problem
Peanut Butter
Bacon Dog Doughnut
Inspired by SunnyDayFamily.com
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your dog or cat is experiencing. You can select from a list that has items such as abnormal behavior, bleeding, eye/ear problems, weight loss, and much more. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also search keywords.
Biking … in the Snow?
After clicking on what the issue is, you answer either “yes or no” questions in order to help you decide how to take action. It will also give you symptom considerations that can explain why your pet may be having certain issues. This is a great tool to help decrease the number of calls we get, but it’s also helpful for pet owners. Even if we’re closed, the website can help you decide if you need to go to an emergency pet hospital.
This Sport Could Keep You Fit Through the Winter
If you visit Long Island this winter, you just might see talk show host Jimmy Fallon zooming through the streets on a fat-tire bike. These bikes look a little silly, but their wide (4–6 inches) tires are grippy enough to let New Yorkers like Fallon commute even on the snowiest days. Outside of the city, fat biking is a popular sport on snowy mountain trails where a street bike would never survive. 3 Reasons to Ride If you already love cycling, investing in a fat-tire bike can help you extend your bike season and enjoy the sport all year-round. It’s also a great way to stay in shape! As Bicycling magazine puts it, “On a fat bike, you can burn up to 1,500 calories an hour in soft conditions — seriously. But you’ll also recover faster than if you went for an hourlong run.” Finally, zooming through the snow on a bike is just fun. As Singletracks writer Michael Paul says, “They make you feel like you’re 8 years old again — you’ll be hard-pressed to wipe that grin off your face!” Trouble on the Trail In some ways, that boundless joy is warranted because winter fat biking can actually be safer than summer mountain biking thanks to the deep snow that cushions falls on trail sides. That said, it’s still important to choose your route wisely and take precautions. The International Mountain Bicycling Association suggests bringing along ice fishing picks and rope if you ride across ice and watching the weather to avoid slush. Bikers should also bring provisions, dress properly, and use proper trail etiquette depending on where they ride. Visit IMBA. com/Node/1865 to learn more. A Final Reality Check The biggest downside to fat-tire biking is the expense: “Budget” bikes start at over $500 and quality rigs can cost more than $3,000! Fortunately, you can rent fat-tire bikes by the day in most mountain towns and ski resorts. Also, fat bikes aren’t just for winter — if you invest in one, you can ride it all year-round. For a full beginner’s guide to fat biking, visit FatBikePlanet.com/how-to-ride-a-fat- bike-for-beginners.
Keep this great resource handy for any type of question or concern you may have regarding your pet.
Doughnuts for the dogs? Why not? These sweet treats are soon to be your pup’s favorite snack! INGREDIENTS • 1 cup flour • 1 cup oats • 1/3 cup coconut oil • 1/2 cup peanut butter • 2 eggs • Greek yogurt • Bacon bits DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a doughnut pan with cooking spray and set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the yogurt and bacon bits and mix until a dough forms. 3. Using your hands, press dough into doughnut pan. 4. Fill each doughnut cavity and press down firmly. (The dough will not rise, so be sure each space is packed tightly.) 5. Bake for 14 minutes or until cooked thoroughly. 6. Let cool, then carefully remove doughnuts from pan. 7. Dip each doughnut in yogurt and sprinkle with bacon bits. 8. Freeze for about 5 minutes, then serve to your pup!
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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 teammeetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sun: Closed
Inside This Issue
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The Veterinary Field Is Ever-Changing
PRIMARY
BLACK Boo’s Mysterious Adventure How to Find the Pet Health Checker Peanut Butter Bacon Dog Doughnut 50% BLACK
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SECONDARY
The Coolest Winter Sport You’ve Never Heard Of
The Street Vet
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THE STREET VET Saving the Lives of Homeless Individuals’ Pets
Veterinarian and animal advocate Dr. Kwane Stewart, known in his docuseries as “The Street Vet,” has his own veterinary practice in Modesto, California, but still makes a point to help the pets of the homeless population in town for free. He began this selfless act of heroism in 2011 after the Great Recession hit and has since helped well over 400 animals, even tending to a Burmese python at one point! About 25% of Modesto’s homeless population own a pet, and back in 2011, Dr. Stewart noticed that many needed medical attention. This tugged at his
homeless individuals and their pets is unlike any that he sees in his office. “Keep in mind that they are with their pet every minute of every day,” he says. “That’s not the case with most of us.” He notes that seeing these special pet patients makes him feel as if he has a superpower. Dr. Stewart recalls that growing up, he wanted to be either a vet or Batman, and now, he gets the best of both worlds! Dr. Stewart often spends his spare time wandering the streets in search of pets that need his help, offering free vaccinations and medical care. He notes that the homeless population is just like us, but they have fallen on hard times, and their pets are their companions and lifelines. In helping the pets, Dr. Stewart builds a special bond with their owners. To be able to make a difference in the lives of sweet, innocent animals and their owners is the most rewarding type of work — the dream job Dr. Stewart could have never even conjured up before he selflessly started living it.
heart strings. Knowing that many would come for free pet medical attention if he set up a table near a soup kitchen, Dr. Stewart jumped at the opportunity. What he thought would be a one-time event eventually turned into a regular act of heroism.
Now, Dr. Stewart has the ability to step in and save the day for both the pet and owner at no cost. Dr. Stewart has found that the bond between
Contact us! 319-743-0554
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