Business Details
13 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Veterinary Care in Metairie, LA
Southshore Animal Hospital, founded in 2013, provides comprehensive veterinary care to the Greater New Orleans metro area. Our mission prioritizes quality healthcare and ethical standards, with expertise in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, diagnostics, and preventive care. The practice emphasizes community education, offering nutritional counseling and low-cost spay/neuter programs. Led by Dr. Chris Forstall, a New Orleans native with over 15 years of local veterinary experience, our team combines clinical excellence with compassionate service.We maintain rigorous safety protocols in boarding and surgical care, supported by advanced diagnostics including digital radiography and in-house lab work. Our hospital partners with MedVet New Orleans for 24/7 emergency services and ensures personalized attention through detailed patient monitoring during surgical recovery. Staffed with experienced veterinary technicians like Lisa, Justine, and Cynthia, we deliver care across two locations while maintaining industry-leading standards in pain management and patient welfare.
Services
Boarding
Surgery
Microchipping
Diagnostics
Dental Care
Digital Radiography
Chemotherapy
Hospice Care
Nutritional Counseling
Laser Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency care through MedVet New Orleans partnerships.
- Our team performs advanced orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries with TTA techniques.
- We provide in-house diagnostics with same-day results for immediate treatment.
- Our hospital maintains rigorous safety protocols for surgical and boarding services.
- Veterinarians have over 15 years of combined experience in local pet healthcare.
Services
Boarding
Southshore Animal Hospital offers climate-controlled boarding with personalized care from experienced staff. Pets receive supervised outdoor time, dietary accommodations, and health monitoring. Reservations are recommended for holidays to ensure availability.
Microchipping
Permanent pet identification through microchip implantation between shoulder blades. Each chip links to owner information in a national database, increasing reunion chances for lost pets in Greater New Orleans.
Surgery
Advanced surgical services including spays/neuters, fracture repairs, tumor removals, and orthopedic procedures. Pre-surgical bloodwork and tailored anesthetic protocols ensure safety for pets during operations.
In-Clinic Diagnostics
Same-day diagnostic testing including bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging. Capabilities cover complete blood counts, organ function tests, and disease screening for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Dental Care
Comprehensive dental services from cleanings to extractions. Focus on preventing periodontal disease through regular exams and professional treatments to maintain oral health.
People
Dr. Chris Forstall
Veterinarian
A New Orleans native, Dr. Forstall founded Southshore Animal Hospital in 2013 after practicing locally since 2005. He specializes in orthopedic surgery and community-focused veterinary care.
Lisa
Head Veterinary Technician
Lisa has served as head technician at the Transcontinental location since 2001, bringing over two decades of veterinary experience to patient care.
Justine
Practice Manager
Justine manages the Bucktown clinic with expertise in animal science and agribusiness operations, previously working on her family's Missouri ranch.
Dr. Mark Pearce
Veterinarian
Dr. Pearce contributes medical expertise to Southshore's surgical and diagnostic services, supporting the hospital's commitment to quality care.
Cynthia
Veterinary Staff
Cynthia joined the team in 2017, offering compassionate care with over a decade of veterinary experience while managing her family responsibilities.
Questions
How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
We recommend annual exams for healthy pets under 7 and bi-annual exams for seniors. Annual blood work helps track health trends.
Why does my pet need a dental procedure?
Dental care prevents periodontal disease that causes pain and organ damage. Regular cleanings extend pet lifespans.
How important is nutrition for my pet?
Proper nutrition prevents diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues. Our counseling simplifies balanced dietary planning.
At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Most pets should be spayed/neutered between 4-6 months. We determine optimal timing based on breed and health.
What are heartworms and how can I prevent them?
Heartworm treatment is expensive and dangerous. Monthly preventatives protect pets from mosquito-borne infection in Louisiana's climate.
What should I do if I notice visible parasites on my pet?
Contact us immediately to schedule treatment. We recommend tailored flea and tick prevention for your pet's environment.
