A Specialist for our Exceptional Pets

When we’re sick or need a wellness checkup, we visit our family doctor. But when we have a special healthcare need, our doctor will likely recommend a specialist, such as a cardiologist, a dermatologist or an oncologist. The same is true in veterinary medicine. Veterinary specialists are veterinarians who specialize in an area of medicine or a specific animal species. These vet specialists have four years of undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school, just like other veterinarians. However, specialists also complete an internship and residency in their specialized field, which involves an additional three to five years of training. After passing a certifying board examination in their chosen specialty field, they are considered an expert in this area of veterinary medicine. There are over twenty veterinary specialties recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. This expertise is complementary to the care provided by your family veterinarian. Collaboration between you, your veterinarian, and your veterinary specialist is critical to providing the best treatment for your pet. We are fortunate to have several veterinarian specialists available in the New Orleans area to provide special care for our precious pets.

MedVet is the largest and most advanced emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in our area. They partner with your family veterinarian and serve as an extension of their practice should your pet need after hours, emergency, or specialized care. If your pet is facing an emergency, you may come directly to their hospital at 2315 N. Causeway Boulevard in Metairie. Open all day every day, their dedicated team of emergency doctors are all board-certified critical care specialists. In addition to emergency services, MedVet offers a full array of specialties including pain management, cardiology, critical care, dermatology, cancer treatment, internal medicine, radiology, surgery, and rehabilitation. Their team will collaborate with your veterinarian to provide the best possible outcome for your pet.

Located in Mid-City, the Eye Center for Animals is an advanced veterinary ophthalmology practice. It is a surgical facility offering comprehensive animal eye care, including treatment for dry eyes, allergies, trauma, tumors, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. Owned and operated by Dr. Paul da Costa, the Eye Center is equipped with multiple lasers and other cutting-edge equipment for glaucoma shunt surgery, retinal surgery, and advanced cataract surgery with lens implants. Dr. da Costa has been offering comprehensive veterinary ophthalmic medicine and surgery throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region since 1996. His office is located at 524 Moss Street and he treats each pet that comes through his doors as if it were his own. His patients include dogs, cats, exotic animals, wildlife, and some large animals.

Located in Mandeville, South Paws Veterinary Specialists is dedicated to the well-being of your pet. Along with providing surgical and dental expertise, they are committed to treating you and your pet with care and compassion. South Paws is a referral-only practice specializing in orthopedic, neurologic, and soft-tissue surgical procedures, as well as specialized dentistry and oral surgery. Other services include rehabilitation, advanced imaging, and hyperbaric oxygen and platelet-rich plasma therapy. Their Rehabilitation Center includes an underwater treadmill, therapeutic ultrasound, cold laser, muscle stimulator, and more with the goal of offering the latest surgical and medical treatments so that your pet can enjoy life to the fullest. They work closely with your family veterinarian to provide the highest quality care available performed by board-certified specialists. The long-term partnership established between your veterinarian and the specialists at South Paws is beneficial to your pet’s overall health and well-being.

For pet lovers, every day is a gift of unconditional love from our beloved pets; we are their whole life and they make our lives whole! Inevitably, we are faced with a dilemma when our fur baby is nearing the end of life. Dr. Jessica Vinterella, DVM with Soul Purpose Veterinary Hospice and Home Euthanasia has made it her life's mission to provide in-home guidance, supportive care, and euthanasia service to pet parents.

Dr. Jess provides compassionate in-home care for terminally ill pets. She provides in-home consultations, supportive care treatment plans, in-home humane euthanasia services, and resources for grief counseling. Open and honest communication between veterinarians, pet owners, and their family is important as they work together to weigh many factors to make the best decisions. Allowing a pet’s final moments to be spent calmly in their familiar home setting, surrounded by the comforts and people they have known all their life, all while leaving this world peacefully with dignity is a final gift we can give. Aging is a normal part of life and with some vigilance and attention to your dog’s health, these can truly be “golden years” for both pets and their owners. And when the time comes, we can say goodbye gently and lovingly, with gratitude for a life well lived.