31 Mar 2026

Springtime Challenges to Be Aware Of

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Getting warmer by the day and springtime is pushing through. Really going to need those April showers to bring May flowers. I always love to watch the buds on the trees start popping open and the sound of the birds returning from the winter habitats. The baby calves and lambs running out in the pastures.  Such a great time of renewal and new life.

What can be a concern with Easter upon us is Easter Lily toxicity for our cats. People love to bring Lilies into their home this time of year. They are extremely toxic to our cats if they chew on any part of the plant. A cat can be impacted by licking the pollen or even drinking the water in the vase. It causes kidney failure and death within 7 days. Please keep your cats and Lilies separate. Better yet let friends and family that do not have cats have your lilies.

Another threat to our dogs in springtime is Madison County’s Timber rattlesnake population. The snakes tend to start coming out of their dens to absorb the sunshine during the day. Our dogs are curious and stick their noses where they do not belong and the next thing you see is your dog acting differently. The snake bite is often not visible, but the poison released with that bite creates a quick toxic reaction. Animal Emergency Service in their article “A Guide to Snake Bites in Dogs” has posted these symptoms to be aware of when a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake.

Common Timber Rattlesnake Bite Symptoms in Dogs

  • Immediate Localized Reaction: Rapid, severe swelling and swelling at the bite site (often face or legs) that can continue for up to 36 hours.
  • Severe Pain & Distress: Intense, immediate pain, vocalizing (yelping/whining), and swelling.
  • Bleeding & Bruising: Irregular bleeding from the bite wound, nose, or mouth, often leading to deep bruising (hemorrhage).
  • Neurological Weakness: Tremors, muscle shakes, weakness, wobbliness (ataxia), or sudden collapse.
  • Systemic Symptoms: Lethargy, dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.
  • Severe Complications: Paralysis, inability to control bladder/bowels, or dark/bloody urine.

In our practice we see dogs with rattlesnake bites annually. I would like to say once they get bitten you will not have to worry about it happening again. That is not true. We had one dog that was bitten and 4 years later it happened again. Larger dogs such as the labrador retriever pictured in these photos, seem to have a better chance of survival if treatment is pursued quickly.

Important things to remember. Do not try to suck out the venom like you see on TV.  If you attempt this you could cause a toxic reaction for yourself.

Seek veterinary care immediately. This is especially critical for small dogs since they will be overcome by the poison more quickly.

Bite wounds are difficult to see initially because of the razor-sharp fangs of the snake and the wounds are covered by hair. You might see a drop or 2 of blood from the wound if you examine them closely. In the above photos you can see the wound after a few days. The toxicity of the venom will cause a sluffing of the skin around the bite wound temporarily.

I have reposted some information about the Timber rattlesnake behaviors. They are consider shy and really do not cause issues unless provoked. They breed in the late summer months so often will be more active around that time. Also with the changing of the seasons you can see them “sunning” themselves to gain some heat from the sun.

Reposted from Google search (KCCI and Facebook): Timber rattlesnakes are present in Madison County, Iowa, particularly around limestone bluffs, timbered areas, and near Pammel State Park in Winterset. While rare, sightings occur—sometimes near homes—due to their preference for these habitats. They are a protected, generally docile species that rarely bite unless provoked, often feeding on rodents. 

  • Hotspot: Pammel State Park in Winterset is a known location for timber rattlesnakes.
  • Protection Status: Timber rattlesnakes are protected in Iowa, but can be removed or destroyed if they are within 50 feet of an occupied, inhabited dwelling.
  • Encounters: Residents have reported multiple, safe removals of rattlesnakes from private property in the rural Winterset area.
  • Behavior: They are not typically aggressive and prefer to flee or blend in, but will rattle when threatened.
  • Appearance: These snakes are large, often 3-5 feet long, and are identified by a heavy body and a rattle at the end of the tail. 

If you find a rattlesnake in the area, it is recommended to contact the Madison County Conservation Board to have it safely relocated rather than killing it, as they play an important role in the local ecosystem.

26 Feb 2026

Precious Moments in Life

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Taking a break from winter and veterinary medicine to enjoy some family time. I haven’t shared much lately about my family. As all grandparents know, hanging out with grandchildren is the best part of growing older. I remember people saying how amazing it was to have grandchildren and so much better than raising their own kids. I questioned if they loved their kids? I loved raising our 4 kids and would do it all over again if given the chance. Then about 5 years ago, I experienced being a Nene for the first time. As that little girl grew up and started to say Nene, I melted. I understood what others had told me for years. My husband and I are all in on being available whenever called upon to watch our 2 granddaughters July and Vienna. We had a trip to Arizona in November to enjoy time together as a family. It was wonderful to be all together since that rarely happens anymore.

The one thing I heard was my granddaughters missed the ocean. So that is where we are now. Already had this trip to the Florida gulf planned for my husband and I, why not bring the granddaughters. I know from experience how quickly the years fly by. Why not take this opportunity before July starts school to enjoy the ocean and all its wonder.

Our quiet vacation has now turned into 5 adults and 2 children for a week on the gulf shores. I sure hope they will have a warmer February like we have been experiencing here in Iowa. The girls will want to be on the beach and wind, rain, and cooler temperatures can hinder that. Whatever the weather we will be making memories to last a lifetime. I may need a vacation after our Florida vacation to rest up and
recuperate.

I will return next month with more veterinary information but for now I just want to enjoy the warm weather and time with family. Our days are getting longer, and we move the clocks ahead on March 8th. All great signs of turning the corner towards spring. Watch for the trees to start budding and spring flowers popping out of the earth. Take time to appreciate the warmth of the sun. Look for the baby calves and lambs in the pastures as you drive by. Spring can be a time of new beginnings not only for plants and animals but for people too. Find those little things that you can be grateful for and realize how blessed we are to experience the changes of the seasons in such dramatic and beautiful ways.

HAPPY SPRING TO ONE AND ALL.

29 Jan 2026

A New Year with New Cases to Share

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Why do we encourage neuter and spay procedure? Why not let our furry friends stay intact? There are so many schools of thought on performing these procedures. Overthe years I have heard many logical and many illogical reasons for people not to spay or neuter their pets. Since I graduated in 1988 the theories have changed numerous times. I feel that our pets are more bonded with the family If they are spayed and neutered. We have fewer marking issues associated with the circulating hormones that trigger behavior problems that many pet owners are annoyed by. For instance, when female dogs come into season during certain times of the year, the intact males sense those pheromones and wander off in search of those females. This creates challenges for owners to keep their male dog’s home. It also puts dogs in harm’s way because they are focused on the instincts of breeding and not looking both ways before crossing a busy road. During the breeding season there are several intact dogs that go missing
because they are acting on their instincts.

Intact dogs have a strong desire to protect the environment around them. This can lead to behavior concerns that stem from circulating hormones. Some dogs will become aggressive and difficult to manage in their homes. Intact dogs require more exercise to help deal with excess hormonal influences. Many hunters like to keep their dogs intact because they feel it gives them more drive when hunting. Many men have difficulty neutering their male dogs because of humanizing their dogs. When having conversations with women in the home about neutering or spaying, it often seems to be the man’s decision not to do the procedures. The women are frustrated but feel they cannot contradict their partner. It is important to have discussions about spay and neuter procedures before you even get your dog so you can work through these challenges before the dog comes into your home.

Meet our case of the month. This is Moose. He is a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever who presented for his annual exam. During the exam the testicle size was noted to be different. The owner was unaware of the changes. The left testicle was enlarged causing the right testicle to atrophy (get smaller).


We shared our findings with our client, and they elected to have a neuter done to remove the tumor as soon as possible. Once the tumor is removed it can no longer create issues for the dog. Both testicles were removed at the time of the surgery. The owner declined to send the testicle off for pathology due to extra cost. In the photo you see the size of the noncancerous testicle being much smaller than the one that had the tumor in it.

If you have an older intact male dog, please be aware that tumors can develop in the testicles. Make a habit of noting the size of the testicles so if they change you can have surgery done as soon as possible. Your veterinarian only gets to see your dog once a year and tumors can get quite large in that time. If you know you are not going to breed your male dog, then have them neutered. This will allow them to more easily bond with the family. They will no longer be so worldly and distracted by all scents and sights. If you are frustrated that they mark certain times during the year it is probably related to when the females come into season and they are triggered by those airborne pheromones circulating. If they seem less interested in food or will not eat at certain times during the year, that can be related to their hormones and frustration that they cannot act on their breeding instincts.

Most people are not prepared to deal with the behaviors associated with intact male and female dogs. We have done such a good job of encouraging spay/neuter procedures to avoid these unwanted health issues and behaviors. I feel our profession is doing a disservice by encouraging pet owners to postpone or avoid doing them all together. We are headed for many more health issues and behavioral problems if we continue to promote these trends. People in general are looking to do all natural diets, treatments,
training, etc. That can have some concerning trends when it comes to the nature of animals and their instincts. I am seeing more aggressive dogs whose owners have no ability to control them in unfamiliar situations. Often, they are shocked by the behaviors they see. We have more dog bites of humans and other dogs because dogs have become more entitled and have not been trained to respect humans. There is not one correct solution for some of these issues but starting with early spay/neuter procedures
before negative behaviors begin should be considered. Also new puppy owners need to invest in training their puppies from the very beginning. The cost of puppies has increased significantly in the last few years. People pay so much money for the dog they do not have money left for training and veterinary care. This does not start them off on a good track record. In a perfect world all puppies should come with puppy classes that are prepaid and if owners do not attend the classes the puppy would be returned to the breeder. It is important and should have as high a standard as a spay/neuter contract.

Moose recovered extremely well from his neuter procedure and is back to being his happy go lucky self. He has not missed those hormones and certainly is less distracted by pheromones now that he is neutered. He will now enjoy his senior years!

Why not help our society reduce unwanted behaviors and litters by doing your part?
Spay and neuter your pets. You will not be disappointed.

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