April, 17, 2009, N. Andover, MA: Marshmellow, a 5 year old black & 
white cat was brought to Essex County Veterinary Referral hospital following a house fire in Methuen. Marshmellow had been missing for 12 hours following the house fire and owners feared the worst. They had already lost their pet dog in the fire.
At 7:30pm last night (Thursday April 16), Marshmellow was found panting and vocalizing. He was brought directly to Essex County Veterinary Referral Hospital for treatment. The owners are unsure about whether he was in the house at the time of the fire, but he is being treated in the intensive care unit for smoke inhalation with oxygen, pain medications and Albuterol (a bronchodilator that increases airflow to the lungs). A Chest x-ray taken last night indicates that thermal lung injury should be considered, though the lungs appear normal. Precautions are being taken to prevent the onset of pneumonia and other associated complications.