The doctors and staff of Metairie Small Animal Hospital would like to invite all of our clients to help us celebrate the Grand Opening of our new facility on Saturday June 14, 2003 from 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm.  We have an exciting day planned for all of you filled with good friends, family and fun!

Throughout the event, we will be conducting tours of our new facility.  So stop by and see our wonderful new boarding facilities, examination areas, bathing and grooming facilities, hospitalization and treatment areas and much more.  You will also have the opportunity to meet all of our doctors and staff while touring our new hospital.

Light refreshments will be served during our Grand Opening Celebration.  In addition, there will be great prizes awarded throughout the day.  Just a few of the prizes include:  a year's supply of Hill's pet food (Sponsored by Hill's Science Diet), a year's supply of Heartgard Heartworm Preventative, and a year's supply of Frontline Flea Preventative (Sponsored by Merial). 

So, be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend MSAH's Family Fun Day on June 14th.  Feel free to bring the entire family...there will be fun enough for everyone!  If you have any questions about this event, please call our main hospital at 504-835-4266.

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                      Volume 5, Issue 5                               

Is a Ferret Right for Me?

Information obtained and adapted form the Ferret Information Rescue Shelter & Trust Society; Vancouver, Canada.

The third most common uncaged pet in the United States, after dogs and cats, is the ferret.  If you are considering adopting a ferret, here is some information that could help you in making the right decision.

The average life span of a ferret, without accidents or serious illness, is about eight (8) years.  Adult females weigh in at about 2 lbs. while males are larger, sometimes doubling the weight of the female.  It is very important to spay and neuter ferrets before they reach sexual maturity.  De-scenting is also recommended.  Altering and de-scenting will give you a healthier pet with a longer life and increases its suitability to become a better companion.

Ferrets use a litter box and they need to be fed a high quality dry ferret or kitten diet.  However, ferrets are not "just like cats."  They have special needs and a very distinctive personality.  They are very demanding in terms of interaction and cannot be ignored.  They are very intelligent, playful and inquisitive.  Ferrets should not be kept in small cages all the time and without anything to play or to stimulate their minds.  They can be left to roam free around the house, but this is when you need to be aware of the possibility of injuries or accidents.  Remember, they are extremely curious and will investigate anything and everything.

Many ferrets are abandoned by their owners within 6 months due to the high energy and metabolism, long lifespan and strong personality of these very interesting creatures.  Before you adopt a ferret, consider your lifestyle.  If you are seldom home or have a busy lifestyle that would prevent you from giving them the time and education they need, then they may not be right for you.  Ferrets also require semi-annual check-ups and vaccinations.  Make sure you have the support of a knowledgeable veterinarian.  You also need to know who to call or where to go in case of an emergency.  When ferrets are seriously sick or injured, most of the time, they do not have the luxury of waiting until the next morning for the veterinarian's office to open. 

If you decide to adopt a ferret, we recommend getting one that is already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and accustomed to being handled by humans.  If you are able to provide the proper care for your ferret, you will have a wonderful and loving companion that will help you enjoy your life even more!

                      Volume 5, Issue 5                               

Stephen Messa has been employed at Metairie Small Animal Hospital for over one year.  He currently lives in Meraux, Louisiana.  Stephen plans to attend the University of Louisiana--Lafayette where he will study advertising.  In his free time, Stephen enjoys watching the New Orleans Saints and the Boston Red Sox.  He lives at home with his dachshund, Princess.  Keep up the good work, Stephen!

   What's Your Diagnosis?

A two year old, neutered male, Lhasa mix presented with complaint of not being able to move his rear legs.  He seemed agitated and painful.  Physical exam revealed that he had no control over his hind legs and was unable to stand or walk.  He seemed painful on when pressure was applied to his spine around the thoracic/lumbar area. Reflexes appeared normal on the left hind leg, but decreased on the right hind leg.  A radiograph was taken of his spine and is shown at right.  What's your
diagnosis?

                                                      (Answer on page 5)

Pet Bereavement Services Offered...

Heaven's Pets, a pet cremation service, is currently offering a community outreach program in conjunction with Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.  One part of this program includes the Good Grief Group, a social worker-led grief and compassion group that offers support to pet owners who have lost a beloved companion.  Participants may talk about their pets' illness and death as well as having the opportunity to share their feelings about their pets with other group members.  The goal of this service is to provide a warm and empathetic environment in which people may gather to discuss their losses. The Good Grief Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm.

A non-denominational Commemorative Service is also being offered on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm.  Each month, pet eulogist Sharon Henry will honor the pets that have passed on.  Your pets will be memorialized with poetry and eulogies to help give your pet a fitting goodbye.  Both of these programs are open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a pet.  Each of these services are offered free of charge.  All services are held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans.  For information, call Heaven's Pets at 504-835-9188..

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                      Volume 5, Issue 5                               

The radiograph shows narrowing of the space between thoracic vertebra 12 and 13.  Compare this space denoted by the white arrow with that of the one with the green arrow.  This radiograph confirmed the suspicion of Intevertebral Disc Herniation.

Emergency back surgery was performed to remove the disc material that was putting pressure on the spinal cord.  This surgery must be done as soon as possible.  After surgery, dogs are treated with anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and physical therapy.