Now you can order merchandise for your pets on the internet with msahonline.com.  In an effort to better serve our clients, we at MSAH are happy to introduce a new website designed to offer the same, quality products featured in our hospital in a more convenient arena. 

Now, with just a few simple steps you can have the best in animal care products delivered to your home.  Just visit msahonline.com and start searching the wide array of pet products we have to offer including, toys, treats, bones, shampoos and grooming products.  Once you've found the products you'd like to purchase, just follow the easy steps to check out and be on your way to a whole new shopping experience.

At MSAH we are constantly looking for ways to better serve our clients.  And with that in mind we are very happy  to be able to offer our clients a simple and secure alternative for your shopping convenience. 

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                      Volume 4, Issue 9                               

JUST SAY NO...TO PAIN

On August 13th and 14th, the doctors and staff of Metairie Small Animal Hospital took part in a two day intensive training seminar on pain management.  We are proud to announce that we were one of only two hospitals in the state of Louisiana to be chosen to take part in this training presented by the Pfizer Corporation.  Dr. David Martin of Pfizer conducted one on one training with each of the doctors of MSAH and worked through surgical and hospital cases on an individual basis.  Nancy Shaffran, a certified technician and nursing specialist working for Pfizer spent a great deal of time with our technicians.  Another veterinarian employed by Pfizer, Dr. Teresa Hinebaugh, was also available for technical support.

This training focused primarily on advances in pain management which included new drugs and protocols designed to keep pets comfortable during and after routine procedures as well as more invasive surgeries.  The training offered by Pfizer and its wonderful staff proved to be extremely interesting and beneficial for all of the doctors and staff of MSAH.  Everyone involved learned a great deal about new advances in pain treatment and special monitoring techniques for anesthetized patients.  We appreciate the opportunity and honor of being chosen to be a part of this wonderful workshop and owe special thanks to our Pfizer representative Lin LaBruyere.  Take a look at the pictures below of the workshop and its presenters.

Pain is a reality for all of us--including the animals we all know and love.  With special training and new advancements in pain management, the doctors and staff of Metairie Small Animal Hospital are better prepared to handle the treatment of pain in your pets.  Feel free to speak to one of our doctors on your next visit about your options in pain management.

Dr. Chris Fabacher and assistant Rachel Oestricher

Dr. Siggy Mayer and assitant Erin Harvey

We are very happy to announce that Metairie Small Animal Hospital was voted "The Best Veterinary/Animal Clinic" in Gambit Weekly's Reader's Poll earlier this month.  We appreciate the recognition and are truly honored that the community holds our hospital and staff in such high esteem.  We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients for your kindness and patience through the years.  Without all of you, MSAH would never have reached the level of success and respect that we have.  THANK YOU!

                      Volume 4, Issue 9                               

Jacques is a 9 yr. old black neutered male poodle who was presented to MSAH with a history of vomiting yellow foamy mucous for a 24 hour duration.  On physical exam his temperature was elevated, his abdomen was tender and harsh lung sounds could be heard with the stethoscope.  The attending veterinarian pulled blood for a CBC and chemistry panel.  He was also set up for chest and abdominal radiographs.  An IV catheter was placed in the arm and Jacques was given fluid intravenously, systemic antibiotics and antivomiting (antiemetics) medication was given by injections.  The blood chemistries came back normal.  The CBC showed an elevation in the white blood cell count like you might see with a bacterial infection.

Xrays of the chest showed an abnormal area of lucency above the heart (see figure 1- normal, and figure 2- abnormal).  This appearance is the result of a gas filled esophagus.  The dilated esophagus is outlined with arrows in Fig. 2.   This radiographic change is diagnostic for megaesophagus.  Megaesophagus refers to esophageal dilation and hypomotility, which may be congenital or secondary to neuromuscular dysfunction or to esophageal obstruction. Some diseases with associated megaesophagus are  Myasthenia Gravis, Systemic Lupus and Hypothyroidism.

Esophageal motility is decreased or absent, resulting in accumulations and retention of food and liquid in the esophagus.  Symptoms associated with this condition may include regurgitation of food and water, weight loss or poor growth, hypersalivation and a gurgling sound with swallowing.  You may also see coughing, purulent nasal discharge and difficulty breathing with concurrent aspiration pneumonia.

Treatment of these patients consists of feeding in an upright position (45-90 degree angle to the floor) and maintain for 10-15 minutes following feeding. Feeding a gruel often produces the least regurgitation, although dietary consistency must be individualized for each patient. The consistency that produces the least regurgitation may change with time. Patients with severe regurgitation may need to be fed through a gastrotomy tube also called peg tube.  No drugs are commonly used to treat megaesophagus alone.  Treatment should be directed at the underlying disease or associated conditions.

At this time Jacques is being fed his food  in the shape of small meatballs in an elevated bowl which seems to work for him. He is on a motility modifying drug called Reglan which aids in gastric emptying. As of this writing Jacques is doing fine with this method of treatment.

The xray (shown at right) revealed a lesion suspicious of bone cancer.  Later, a bone biopsy confirmed that this animal had osteosarcoma.  In order to save his life, his leg was amputated at the shoulder and a chemotherapy regiment will be started in an attempt to avoid possible relapse.

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                      Volume 4, Issue 9                               

GREETINGS:  The Meaning of Face Rubbing

Does your cat greet you by rubbing her face against your leg?  If so, you should feel welcomed.  Your kitty has just given you his version of the warm greeting. 

When cats that are friends greet each other, they typically rub faces.  Because you're a lot taller than the average cat, your cat makes contact with your leg instead.  You may notice that your affectionate feline begins by rubbing the top of his head or the side of his face against your leg.  He'll then rub the length of his body against you and will wrap his tail around your leg.  If you reach down and stroke her, she'll grow more insistent.  She may rub the side of her mouth against your hand, nudging your hand upward with her head.

While there's no doubt your kitty loves you, his actions have an ulterior motive.  Cats have scent glands in the temples, near their mouths, and at the base of their tails.  Cats touch those parts of their bodies against us because they want to leave behind their scent--a result of substances called pheromones--as a mark of their high regard.  Conversely, the contact leaves some of your smell on him.  After the scent exchange, your cat is likely to retreat, sit down, and begin licking his fur.  It's his way of experiencing your scent--tasting your smell, so to speak.