Our Doctor
W. Mark Cousins
DVM
In addition to being a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cousins is also a Certified Feline Veterinary Specialist, certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). He is the only veterinarian to hold these 3 credentials in the New Orleans area and has lectured to other practicing veterinarians across the country and internationally on feline medicine.
Dr. Cousins has also been a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association since 1980.
See the timeline below for a full list of Dr. Cousins' achievements and awards.
2014
Awards/Honors
- Featured in Novartis Animal Health’s inaugural edition of its publication Beyond The Medicine.
2013 - 2017
Work Experience
Lecture: Clinical Aspects of the Feline Pancreas; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
2013 - 2014
Work Experience
- Lecture: North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) and Western States Veterinary Conference. Presented information regarding new diagnostic modalities as they relate to feline health and feline business for Idexx Laboratories.
2013
Awards/Honors
- Best of New Orleans, Gambit Magazine Readers’ Pole: voted one of the three best veterinary hospitals in the New Orleans area.
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Board Member at-large- International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
Press
Alternative veterinary medicine gains traction in New Orleans
Read More2012
Work Experience
- Lecture: Atlantic Provinces Veterinary Conference, Halifax, NS. Presented various feline-related topics including zoonosis, feline heartworm disease, feline injection-site sarcoma issue, and feline pain management.
- Lecturer for Novartis Animal Health. Locations include Michigan & Louisiana.
Education
- Awarded Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP), awarded by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
- Awarded Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), granted by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
Awards/Honors
- Feline Friendly Practice, Gold Level; awarded by the American Association of Feline Practitioners to The Cat Practice, Inc.
2011 - Current
Work Experience
- Lecture: “The Zen of Cats”: Novartis’ Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC); Grand Cayman, BWI. (2011)
Review of manuscripts for Advanstar Publications.
Education
- Completion of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society’s acupuncture coursework. (2011)
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Member of International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management; member International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. (2011)
- Key Opinion Leader (KOL); Novartis - involved in the launch of the FDA feline approved NSAID Onsior TM (robenacoxib).
2010
Work Experience
- Lecture: CVC, Kansas City, MO. Presented various feline topics, including a co-presentation with Dr. AR Alleman of the University of Florida.
- Author: “A Quick Q&A on feline vaccine site-associated sarcomas”; Veterinary Medicine; Vol. 105, No. 12, pp. 578 (Dec 2010).
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Recertified in as a diplomate in feline medicine, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
2009
Work Experience
- Lecture: Wild West Veterinary Conference, Reno NV. Presented various feline topics including a co-presentation with Dr. AR Alleman of the University of Florida.
2008
Work Experience
- Participant in published round table discussion of feline heartworm disease released in concert with Compendium of Continuing Education; 8/08. Fellow participants included Drs. Michael Dryden, Byron Blagburn, Julie Levy, and Tom Nelson.
Education
- Recertified, Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Feline Practice
2005 - Present
Work Experience
- National lecturer for Zoetis (Pfizer) Animal Health on feline heartworm disease, feline zoonotic concerns, and topics concerning feline business in the veterinary practice. Lecture locations include Washington, California, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, N. and S. Carolina.
- Participant/speaker at Round Table discussion at the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium, May 2005; lecturer for Pfizer Animal Health on feline medicine topics and the feline business in veterinary medicine. (2005)
Awards/Honors
- Hospital of Merit, Veterinary Economics, Design Competition, The Cat Practice, New Orleans (2005)
2004
Work Experience
- Participant in a “Round Table” discussion of feline vaccines and feline vaccine issues for Merial, Inc. Fellow participants included Drs. Richard Ford, Dennis Macy, and Zack Mills. Results published by Veterinary Learning Systems.
- Guest presenter: “Grand Rounds” at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
2003 - 2006
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
Continuing Education Chair and ad hoc member of the Council of Regents, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
2003 - 2004
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
Board member, Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association
2002 - 2009
Work Experience
National lecturer for Merial Corporation on topics regarding feline vaccinal sarcoma issues; guest lecturer at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Lecture locations included Illinois, California, Louisiana, Oregon.
2001 - 2007
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Advisory board, Louisiana SPCA.
2000 - 2002
Work Experience
- Contributing writer, Catnip Magazine, a publication of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Education
- Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Feline Practice (2000)
1999 - 2001
Work Experience
- Guest lecturer at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine—topic: Practical Pharmacology.
Awards/Honors
- New Orleans/River Region Chamber of Commerce Rising Tide award; Category: Business Innovation (1999)
1998 - 2001
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Applicant packet review, Admission Committee, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
1996 - 1999
Work Experience
- The Cat Practice, Inc.; 2804 Belle Chase Highway, Gretna La.; owner, staff veterinarian.
1996
Awards/Honors
- Certificate of Merit-Jefferson Parish Council (for participation in the "Visiting Vets" program)
1995 - 1996
Work Experience
- Guest lecturer at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine--topic: The Exclusively Feline Practice.
1994 -1997
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Member of the "Visiting Vets" Program of the East Bank. Animal Shelter—a pro-bono, volunteer organization of veterinarians who help with animal problems at the Jefferson Parish East Bank Animal Shelter.
- Board member of The East Bank Animal Control Shelter.
1993 - 1995
Education
- Veterinary Management Institute at the Krannert School of Business, Purdue University -- post-graduate training course encompassing the aspects of finance, marketing, personnel management, and strategic business planning for a veterinary practice
Awards/Honors
- Certificate of Appreciation- Kenner Police (for pro-bono care of their drug dog) (1995)
- Outstanding Service Award-Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association (1993)
1991 - 1992
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Board President, Jefferson Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
1990 - 1995
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Member advisory board of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
1987 - Present
Work Experience
- The Cat Practice, Inc.; 1809 Magazine St., New Orleans, La.; owner, staff veterinarian; New Orleans' first exclusively feline veterinary hospital; second location open in Gretna, La. in October 1996.
1987 - 1999
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Hospital Director (2)-American Animal Hospital Association.
1986 - 1988
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Board member of the Kenner Animal Control Board.
1985 - 1986
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Vice-president of the Association of New Orleans' Veterinarians.
1984 - 2012
Work Experience
- Chateau Veterinary Hospital; 704 W. Esplanade, Kenner, La.; partner, staff veterinarian; medium-sized canine and feline veterinary practice.
1983 - 1985
Other Activities/Professional Organizations
- Member in the Executive Board of the Association of New Orleans Veterinarians.
1982 - 1983; 1990 - 1992
Work Experience
- Wrote, produced, and appeared in weekly television segments educating the public on the care and management of companion animals on the largest television station in New Orleans.
Awards/Honors
- American Animal Hospital Association Excel Award (1982)
1981 - 1985
Work Experience
- Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); staff veterinarian; duties included medical, surgical, and business management of the largest single veterinary practice in the metro New Orleans region.
1980 - 1981
Work Experience
- Uptown Veterinary Hospital; 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans, La.; staff veterinarian.
1976 - 1980
Education
- Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM)
Awards/Honors
- Alpo Scholarship; Alpha Zeta Scholarship (1976)
1974-1976
Education
- Louisiana State University undergraduate work
Awards/Honors
- Alpo Scholarship; Alpha Zeta Scholarship (1976)
1970 - 1974
Education
- Jesuit High School, New Orleans, LA
Awards/Honors
- Summa Cum Laude-Jesuit High School (1974)