New vet clinic welcomes third generation

For 65 years, the Marcello family of veterinarians has been caring for sick and wounded animals in the Tri-parish area.

It began in 1943 with Carlo J. “Doc” Marcello in the Raceland and Thibodaux area, followed by William B. Marcello serving in East Houma for the past 28 years.

Now a third generation, Blake J. Marcello, has joined the practice along with a new associate, Kevin Showalter. Both are coming to a new, bigger, more modern facility in a new location and with a new name.

Marcello Veterinary Hospital opened at 323 Corporate Drive on Oct. 6. The growth of Houma and securing the future of the family practice prompted the move.

“We purchased this property 12 or 13 years ago with the anticipation of coming to this side of town,” Bill Marcello said. “I just needed someone who I knew would give us stability for years to come. I was ecstatic when Blake decided he wanted to be a veterinarian.

“I’m looking to semi-retire in the next couple of years,” Marcello continued. “(The new clinic) is the young ones, Blake and Kevin. This is their future.”

Blake Marcello recalls being 10 years old and helping his dad at the office on Saturdays and with emergency C-sections. He started working as a veterinary assistant during the summer in high school.

The younger Marcello enjoys working with his father because the elder veterinarian is very involved and ready to help when needed.

“This isn’t just our livelihood. This is a part of our lives. We live it every day,” Blake Marcello said. “We have animals of our own, so we know how we would want our family members treated. These animals matter to our clients and they matter to us.”

William Marcello hopes to utilize the wisdom his father gave to him when they worked together for three years.

“Have an open mind for everything, and you have to handle the clients as well as pets,” he said. “If your pet is healthier, the client is healthier.”

Originally from Lafourche Crossing, Carlo Marcello started the family tradition after graduating from Texas A&M University. He practiced veterinary medicine for over 50 years as a mixed practitioner, meaning he treated large and small animals.

He began in Raceland and then opened Marcello Animal Hospital on Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux. He retired in 2001 and died in 2005.

After graduating from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, Bill Marcello partnered with Preston Roberts, a Bourg veterinarian. They opened Eastside Animal Care Clinic on Grand Caillou Road. When Roberts left, Marcello became sole proprietor of the 1,700-square-foot clinic.

Blake Marcello studied at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, for 3.5 years before finishing at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. After passing the boards and completing his internship, Blake Marcello started working at the family clinic in March.

In June, he convinced Showalter, a fellow LSU grad, to join the practice.

“I did a few rotations at LSU with Blake and we became friends,” Showalter said. “He said they were looking for another associate. I came and met everybody. I felt at home here.”

With three veterinarians on hand, the East Houma location was too small for the growing practice, so they moved to Corporate Drive.

“We hated to leave the area, but we had outgrown the clinic,” said Noreen Marcello, the hospital’s bookkeeper. “We hope to service both sides of the Intracoastal Canal because the eastside gave us 28 years of wonderful support.”

The new 4,700-square-foot facility was built to be a one-stop spot for general veterinary care needs for small animals – dogs and cats mostly with the occasional rabbit, hamster or ferret.

“We did declaw a bobcat one time,” Bill Marcello recalled. “But we don’t do large animals.”

The facility boasts exam rooms with lift tables and scales for heavier dogs; a large treatment room where they draw blood, set limbs in place and prep for surgery; and a dental table for teeth cleaning.

There is also surgery ward with two operating tables, radiology room for x-rays, lab where blood work is performed, isolation room for animals with contagious diseases and a state-of-the-art kennel with separate dog and cat wards.

Adjacent to the office is a pet grooming facility, Le Jolie Chien, run by Jeannie Hodsen who has been with the Marcello’s clinic for 28 years.

“This facility allows us to offer a friendlier, more open atmosphere. We’re trying to be more of a hospital environment,” Bill Marcello said. “We put up a viewing window in the surgery ward because we have school kids that want to come take a tour. So in the future, they can watch Blake and I work.”

The veterinary hospital responds to emergencies after work hours and has an answering service that contacts the veterinarian on-call.

It is associated with Tri-Parish Animal Emergency Clinic on the weekends.

There is a vet available 24 hours a day on the weekend.

Marcello Veterinary Hospital also has an outpatient clinic in Mathews.

The veterinarians said their goals are to use preventative vaccinations to stop diseases, to provide elective services like spaying and neutering and to educate clients on health care for their pets and how to avoid accidents.

The most common pet ailments they treat are vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation due to fleas, ear infections and food and grass allergies.

“I’d rather see them come in each time healthy than come in when they’re sick,” Blake Marcello said. “Preventing heartworms and flea control are a big problem in south Louisiana. Even housedogs are susceptible.”

“We try to educate the client on proper housetraining and maintaining the animals to have a healthy life,” Bill Marcello concurred. “I think a lot of animals are brought to animal shelters due to behavioral problems at home. If they start off on the right footing, it helps avoid the animal shelters.”

A lot has changed in veterinarian care since the Marcello family began serving the area. But their love of animals and dedication to their well-being remains the same.

“Owners are willing to go further with the treatments than they would 20 years ago,” Bill Marcello said. “We’re not just treating pets as an animal but as a member of the family.”

After 28 years in East Houma, Marcello Veterinary Hospital moved to a new, bigger office on Corporate Drive in West Houma on Oct. 6. Pictured from left are veterinary tech Jenna Martin, Dr. Kevin Showalter, receptionist Christie Herradon, Noreen Marcello, Dr. William Marcello and Dr. Blake Marcello. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF