Inside this issue:

We have a few birthdays coming up during the month of April. 

Dr. Allison Steele April 9th
Dr. Paige Massey April 10th
Dr. Rick Richmond     April 12th
Dionne Ferguson April 20th

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Volume 3,Issue 4

            Employee of the Month

Our employee of the month is Lisa Griffin. Lee, as she is called, is a native of New Orleans and resides in Harahan with her daughter, Victoria, English Bulldog, Chubbs, and kitty cat, Lightnin.

Lee has worked for Metairie Small Animal Hospital since February 1998.

Lee loves people and pets. She enjoys activities like fishing, swimming and playing her guitar. Lee works at our Kenner out-patient clinic.

Congratulations Lee for a job well done.

           Lisa Griffin

                  HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL

With Easter quickly approaching, everyone is filled with thoughts of family, friends and, of course, the Easter Bunny.  But, we must also keep our pets in mind when planning events for the Easter holiday.

Everyone has candy around the house during this time.  But, it is important to remember that candy, especially chocolate, can be a source of toxicity for animals.  Be careful to keep Easter baskets and other sources of chocolate away from all pets. 

In the event that ingestion of chocolate does occur, clinical signs are usually associated with the gastrointestinal system (vomiting/diarrhea), cardiovascular system (increased or decreased heart rate/increased respiratory rate), or the nervous system (weakness/tremors/hyperactivity/convulsions).
Easter basket grass can also be a source of concern.  It most commonly causes problems in cats when it is ingested, but can also negatively affect dogs. It can be a source of intestinal obstruction which could lead to a surgical emergency.  Cats often manage to creep into very hard-to-reach places, so be very cautious when finding a place to house your Easter baskets or supplies.  A good substitution for the plastic Easter grass is shredded paper basket filler.  You could either make this yourself at home, or purchase it at most stores.

For those of you with children who are begging for baby rabbits, ducks or chickens:  Please remember that these babies will grow up and may or may not be as fun or cute when they do.  So, if you are going to get one of these popular Easter gifts, be sure you are willing to keep this precious animal for its entire life.

Volume 3,Issue 4

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You might wonder whether your cat might be happier outside, but by keeping him indoors, you are helping to ensure that your pet lives a long, healthy, happy and protected life.

IS IT CRUEL?

Keeping your cate indoors "is not cruel in any way," says James Richards, DVM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.  In fact, he says, "It's a risk to tlet them outside..."  for a number of reasons.  By letting Kitty outside, you increase his risk of contracting transmissible infections, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), or the Rabies virus.  Richards notes that bite wound infections (abcesses) are another reason to keep your cat homebound.  Letting your cat roam also increases the chances of the pet getting lost, or injured by passing cars, dogs, wildlife or even cruel humans.
When you let your cat out, these are the dangers he/she faces:
1.  Injuries from fighting
2.  Parasites (fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms)
3.  Life threatening infections (FIV/FeLV)
4.  Poisons (Rat poison, antifreeze, lawn chemicals)
5.  Outdoor cats often get "lost"
6.  Moving cars and trucks
  7.  Neighborhood dogs and wildlife

Please keep these things in mind the next time your cat asks to go outside.  He may be a little disgruntled by the closed door policy, but you are ultimately adding years to your cats life.


HOW TO ENTERTAIN INDOOR CATS

Indoors, cats are "pretty good at amusing themselves," Richards says, although he recommends getting "interactive" toys--ones that you and your cat can play with together.  For example, anything that has a bobbing toy on the end of a string or fishing line is a good choice.  If your cat can "fetch" a wadded paper ball or toy, that's another stimulating activity you can engage in together.
To give your cat a breath of fresh air, Richards recommends installing a screened-in window box that will allow your pet to experience the outdoors in a limited but safe way.  If your pet has been living outdoors, it may take a while for him to make the transition to the inside world, Richards points out.  You'll need to make sure you adequate scratching posts or boards for hime to use, or your furniture may suffer.


OUTSIDE CATS

If keeping your cat outdoors is the only option, please keep in mind the following tips:
     --All outside cats should be up-to-date on ALL vaccinations.
     --It is wise to have identification such as an ID tag or an implantable microchip. 
     --When choosing a collar for your cat, it is best to purchase those that can "break away" should your cat become          hung up on something, such as a fence or gate.
     --Because your cat is wearing a "break away" collar, ID tags may be left "in the dirt" should the collar come off.  Therefore, it is recommended that you choose to have a microchip implanted in your pet.
     --Microchips are easily implanted under the skin using a needle and syringe (no surgery required).  These microchips can be read by a Microchip reader which are utilized by most veterinary clinics and animal shelters in the country.
     --It is also wise to apply flea and/or tick protection, such as Frontline Top Spot or Advantage.  Revolution is also a good product and provides Heartworm protection as well.

Metairie Small Animal Hospital
101 Metairie Rd             (835-4266)
5040 West Esplanade     (455-2345)
4041 Williams Blvd.       (443-4400)

Phone: 555-555-5555
Fax: 555-555-5555
Email: xyz@microsoft.com

        Case of the Month

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Trouble

     Boudreaux, a forty pound female Siberian Husky, was presented to Metairie Small Animal Hospital March 1st on emergency after breaking into a bottle of Tylenol. Boudreaux had eaten 5-8 500 mg Tylenol capsules. On arriving at the hospital, Boudreaux was extremely weak, uncoordinated, and jittery, breathing very rapidly and uncomfortable in her abdomen.
   

     Vomiting was induced to clear the stomach and prevent further absorption of acetaminophen. An IV catheter was placed and shock doses of fluids were administered intravenously to durese her and help with the elimination of absorbed toxins. Before fluids were administered, blood was pulled for a PCV and a mini-panel, specifically looking for red blood cell breakdown and anemia, liver and kidney damage. The original bloodwork showed no significant abnormalities.
   
      Treatment was then initiated to directly counteract specific toxic effects of acetaminophen on the red blood cells and the liver. N-Acetylopteine is a commonly used antidote for Tylenol poisoning. It helps prevent the red blood cells from breaking down and helps prevent necrosis (or death) of liver cells and subsequent liver failure. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) prevents hemoglobin in the red blood cells to methemoglobin which cannot carry oxygen to the body.
   
       Boudreaux's appearance and neurologic status improved over the next two days, however, she was still not eating. Laboratory analysis of her kidney and liver enzymes revealed that they were elevated beyond the normal reference values.

     Supportive therapy continued for two more days during which she began eating and acting more herself. Kidney and liver values taken at this time were normal again and she was now ready to go home.

     Boudreaux was very tough, and with the help of her owners who actually delivered the Acetylopteine from a pharmacy, she was able to overcome this unfortunate event.