Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency - PASE

🎙️🐾 We're excited to highlight our very own Dr. Erik Zager, DACVECC, who was a special guest on the VETgirl podcast! In this veterinary continuing education episode, Dr. Zager dives deep into all things feline urethral obstruction (UO) related. 🐱💉 Tune in to learn: 1️⃣What factors predispose a cat to urethral obstruction 2️⃣Key points in analgesia planning 3️⃣The critical role of fluid therapy 4️⃣Nutritional tips for blocked cats You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation! 🎧✨ Link: https://vetgirlontherun.com/podcasts/feline-urethral-obstruction-with-dr-erik-zager-dacvecc-vetgirl-veterinary-continuing-education-podcasts/ #VeterinaryMedicine #FelineHealth #PASE #VETgirl #FelineUrethralObstruction #VetPodcast #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets

PASE BLOOD DONOR HERO HIGHLIGHT: Meet Axl🥰🩸 Axl is the biggest lap dog. He is happiest when he's with people, particularly when they give him butt scratches and dote over him. He tries to make friends with all the creatures he meets outside, especially turtles and bumble bees. He loves to cuddle up on the sofa and play with his Chihuahua brother. Axl's big heart extends beyond his family—he’s also a proud blood donor, helping to save the lives of other pets in need. 🐾❤️ #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #PhillyDogs #BloodDonor

🤩EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Victor Llamas, Diagnostic Imaging Technician Victor has been in the veterinary field for a decade. Prior to his time in this industry, he was a pharmacy technician. He started as a receptionist at a small veterinary practice in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, later moving to Studio City, California where he made the switch from being a receptionist to a veterinary assistant. By making this change, he learned how to room patients, interview clients, and work with boarded pets. The knowledge and experience he gained through this experience with VMC Studio City is what lead him to working in the Internal Medicine department at LVVSC in Las Vegas under the direction of Dr. Nicole Smee. During this experience, he started learning how to properly sterilize equipment, prepare animals for procedures, taking blood samples, drafting doctor reports to be sent to the general practice doctors, calculating drug doses, CT, radiographs, proper animal restraint, and so much more. From there, he moved to Eugene, Oregon where he worked for a three-doctor practice. He became certified in radiology through the state of Oregon, learned about dental health, dental x-rays, teeth cleaning, ran diagnostic panels, assist in surgical procedures, catheter placement, and ultrasound-guided abdominocentesis for urine retrieval. He took on a variety of management-level responsibilities, training oversight, operations work, and more. Outside of work, he enjoys to travel, scuba dive, hike, and indoor gardening. He shares his life with his husband, David, and their Rat Terrier, Max. #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #VeterinaryTechnician #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

PASE PET STORY: MEET APOLLO! 😻 Apollo, a brave kitty, was seen at Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency after becoming unusually dull and weak. Concerned about his sudden change in behavior, his family brought him in for a neurology consultation. 🐾 An MRI revealed a large brain tumor, and the decision was made to perform a craniotomy to remove it. The surgery went smoothly, and Apollo recovered exceptionally well. Now, he's back to his normal, playful self, enjoying life at home to the fullest! 🎉🐱 The doctors are PASE are thrilled with his progress and expect him to live a normal and happy life. 🌟 #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Catsofphilly #Phillycats

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Donny Astor, VMD, DACVS-SA one of PASE's Surgeons! 👏🏻 Dr. Astor, a board-certified surgeon is originally from Connecticut and attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with distinction in Biology. He then stayed in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary school and earned his degree in 2007. Dr. Astor completed a small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship followed by a surgery specialty internship and three-year surgical residency at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in New Jersey. He became board-certified in small animal surgery in 2013. Dr. Astor has practiced at specialty hospitals in Chicago, New York City, and most recently in Bucks County at CARES. He is excited to bring his practice back to Philadelphia and is experienced in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgical disciplines. He also has a strong interest in minimally invasive procedures especially arthroscopic procedures designed to minimize pain and improve recoveries after surgery. When not working, Dr. Astor enjoys spending time with his wife Lucy, three sons, and their two cats, Steven and Maple. #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Kim Vargas, CVT, PASE Internal Medicine Clinical Manager🤩 With over 15 years of experience as a board-certified veterinary technician, Kim began her career at the renowned VCA Cat Hospital and University of Penn. Known affectionately as the "cat lady" among her colleagues, Kim can often be found comforting feline patients and easing their nerves with her gentle touch. Beyond her role as a compassionate caregiver, Kim also plays a key role in mentoring the PASE team, sharing her knowledge of new procedures, and bringing joy and laughter to those around her.🥰 #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

PASE PET STORY: Meet Jersey 🤩 Jersey, a 9-year-old Australian Shepherd, was brought to PASE after experiencing a rare and severe type of intervertebral disc herniation called an intramedullary disc herniation. 🫢This condition occurs when intense pressure causes a disc to rupture with such force that it penetrates the spinal cord. The injury happened in Jersey's neck, leading to immediate paralysis from the neck down and difficulty breathing. Jersey's owner heroically kept him alive by providing breaths until they arrived at PASE. There, the team performed an MRI and provided the necessary support until Jersey could breathe on his own. Now, Jersey is on the road to recovery with the help of physical therapy!🙏❤️‍🩹 #PASEVets #VetMed #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Cyndi Lynn Sheridan, CVT, VTS (ECC) one of our Emergency & Critical Care Managers! 😍 Cyndi, one of PASE's original team members, has recently achieved a well-deserved promotion to the position of Emergency and Critical Care Manager. With her board certification as a veterinary technician, Cyndi has always had a deep interest in emergency and critical care. However, her passion for transfusion medicine has also emerged and become a driving force in her career. Thanks to Cyndi's dedication and enthusiasm for transfusion medicine, she has played a pivotal role in establishing and overseeing PASE's blood donor program. Whether she is working with blood samples, guiding her colleagues, or empowering the team to excel, Cyndi is always actively engaged in her work. We express our gratitude to Cyndi for her invaluable contributions to PASE, as her commitment has been instrumental in ensuring that we deliver top-notch care to our patients. #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #VeterinaryTechnician #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

PASE EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Michele Warriner, CVT, Emergency & Critical Care Manager! 🤩 Introducing Michele Warriner, the newly appointed Emergency and Critical Care Manager at PASE. Michele, a certified veterinary technician, has a deep passion for emergency and critical care, evident in her compassionate patient care. Michele can often be found providing tender loving care to her patients, guiding and mentoring PASE's technicians and assistants, and bringing laughter and joy to the hospital environment. We are grateful for Michele's dedication in making PASE a more nurturing place for both our patients and colleagues. #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #VeterinaryTechnician #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

🚨Join Our Team! 🚨 We’re excited to announce that PASE is hiring Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants for our Emergency and Critical Care service, as well as our ICU! 👏🏻🤩 We’re looking for daytime and overnight team members who share our passion for excellent patient care and high quality veterinary medicine. We offer exciting educational opportunities, including regular topic rounds specifically designed for technicians and assistants. If you have experience working in a specialty and emergency setting and are looking for growth opportunities, we’d love to hear from you! 🥳 Ready to take your career to the next level? Visit our website to apply today!👋🏻

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Meet Steph Siver, CVT, PASE Neurology Clinical Manager 🥰 Steph originally started at PASE as the Ophthalmology Clinical Manager before transitioning to the Neurology department. With over a decade of experience in the veterinary field, Steph recently achieved board certification as a technician. Known for her cheerful demeanor and unwavering support for her patients, Steph never fails to lift the spirits of those around her.👏🏻 #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #VeterinaryTechnician #Vetlife #Lovewhatyoudo

MEET Dr. Erica Matula, VMD, DACVECC: One of our Critical Care Doctors who will be leading our next Virtual CE Event: "Tis the Season for Pancreatitis" and we cannot wait! 👏🏻 Erica Matula, VMD, DACVECC is an emergency and critical care doctor. A native New Yorker, Dr. Matula attended Fordham University for her Bachelor’s degree and then continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania where she received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, Dr. Matula completed both her small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship and three-year residency at The Animal Medical Center in NYC. After four years, she was excited to return to Philadelphia, the city she calls home. To Dr. Matula, the Emergency and Critical Care aspect of veterinary medicine has always been the most exciting and rewarding. In conjunction with practicing medicine, she feels that providing her patients with extra TLC lifts their spirits when they’re away from their pet parents. Since moving back, Dr. Matula is excited to dine at new restaurants that have opened, as well as visiting her old favorites. When not at the hospital, you can find her exploring the city or spending time with her feline son, Chicken. Interested in attending this virtual CE? PLEASE BE SURE TO REGISTER VIA THE LINK BELOW BY MONDAY OCTOBER 14th! 🤩 https://www.pase.vet/ce-events.html

🔔🐾🎉Gene and his family got to ring the Oncology Graduation Bell again today!!! Please join us again in celebrating Gene and his families resilience and strength against their battle with cancer. Keep an eye out for Genes graduation post!!!🎉🐾🔔. #pasevets #cancerwarrior #ringthebell #southphillypets #vetmed #veterinaryoncology #fighterandsurvivor #bestboy #loveourpatients #bravedog

Wondering what your furry friends are up to at PASE? 🐾👀 Come along for a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heartwarming moments of our beloved animal companions this month! #Vetmed #PASEVets #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets #Dogsofphilly #Phillydogs #Phillycats #Catsofphilly #Behindthescenes

PASE Educational: Digital Block 🤩 Meet Ziggy who presented to PASE for a digit amputation on his right hind leg due to a mass. The mass was sampled by collecting some cells with a fine needle aspirate and examined under a microscope; the results were diagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma. Dr. Samuel performed a surgical consultation and recommended a digit amputation. This type of surgery involves removing only the affected digit and not his entire paw or hind leg. PASE’s anesthesia service was able to perform a digital nerve block utilizing a web-space technique. This technique is approached by injecting a local anesthetic into the webbing of the toes perpendicular to the associated digit on either side. Aspiration prior to injecting occurs to ensure the medication is not deposited directly into a blood vessel. How does this work? Well, the local anesthetic agent helps block the pain signal from the digital nerves to the brain. Bupivacaine is a commonly used local anesthetic. There are many different types of local anesthetic techniques performed here at PASE. These techniques help reduce general anesthetic requirements and provide pain relief (analgesia), which overall improves patient comfort. 🥰 #PASEVets #VetMed #Southphillypets #Loveyourpatients #Phillypets