NEWEST ADDITION TO
     VETERINARY STAFF             

Metairie Small Animal Hospital is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Erin Reif to our Veterinary Staff.  Erin is a native of New Orleans and graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University earning a B.A. in Advertising and Art. While working for a local radio station in sales and promotion, she completed her prerequisites at the University of New Orleans and      entered the L.S.U. School of Veterinary Medicine in 1995.
Her interest in veterinary medicine began in 1984 while working as a veterinary technician for M.S.A.H.. Her areas of interest are broad including small animal surgery and    medicine. Dr. Erin is a member of the Southeast Veterinary Medical Association, Louisiana Veterinary Medical           Association, American Veterinary Medical Association,  and the American Animal Hospital Association. Currently, she resides in Metairie with her three dogs and enjoys drawing painting, and running in her spare time.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Everyone knows that they must protect themselves and their property when a hurricane is threatening the New Orleans area. Unfortunately few people consider what to do with their pets, sometimes resulting in tragic consequences for the animals.

In the interest of our community's  pet population the Louisiana SPCA is proud to announce the                             
    Disaster Help Line
   for Pet Preparation …
      581-PETS.

This New community service begins with the 1999 hurricane season on June 1, 1999 and will be updated as conditions necessitate

                        Iowa State University…...1-888-478-7574
                         Pet Friends Inc…………….1-800-404-PETS

            Iowa State University…...http://www.lavamind.com/pet.html
       Cornell University………...http://www.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss

SOME PET SITES ON THE WEB

Http://www.greatcatsoftheworld.com/


Http:/www.purina.com/cats/


Http://www.aspca.org/


Http://www.acmepet.com/

       Http://www.petoftheday.com


       Http://www.dogbreedinfo.com


       Http://www.dogindex.com


       Http://www.akc.com/

MSAH Bulletin #3

Page 3

CASE OF THE MONTH

Lady is a five year old mixed-breed dog
Presented to us with a history of having frequent urination and straining. The owner had noticed Lady urinating blood on the day of presentation. She was active, alert,
and eating. General physical exam revealed a healthy pet except that on abdominal palpation  the bladder was found to contain numerous solid densities. A followup x-ray
Showed urinary calculi (Stones). Lady was prepared for surgery and the stones surgically removed. A stone analysis was performed and the proper diet instituted to prevent the stones from reforming. Lady is doing well and her urinary pattern has     

"Most dogs with urinary calculi are presented for some change in urinary pattern, whether it is increased frequency, decreased amount, straining, or passing blood in the urine. Some dogs have no clinical signs."

Diagnosis is usually made on palpation of the abdomen during the physical exam. On larger dogs this is sometimes more difficult and ultrasound or X-ray studies may be required. Ultrasound has become the technique of choice since not all stones are obvious with plain X-rays and may require a more invasive contrast or double contrast study.

Male dogs frequently present with total failure to be able to urinate. In these cases, the urethra (the tube running from the bladder to the outside) has become obstructed as a stone, too large to pass, has become lodged.

Most cases of Urinary calculi require surgery followed by extremely restrictive diets and monitoring to insure no recurrence of the stones.

The prognosis in these cases, with surgery, is generally excellent