Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Like us, our pets suffer from a variety of orthopedic issues. As in human medicine, veterinary medicine offers techniques and treatment protocols that enhance the lives of fur friends with mobility problems and injuries. This is why arthroscopy for pets is such an exciting tool in treatment. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to give you an overview and explore the many benefits of arthroscopy as it relates to your best friend.

One of the more common medical questions we get at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services relates to bumps or lumps on dogs. Many dog owners fear the worst when they find this anomaly on or under their fur friend’s skin. Sometimes it appears suddenly or seemingly overnight. 

Most of the time the lump is benign (which means it is noncancerous). There are several types of tumors, cysts, and abnormal skin growths that affect cats and dogs. This is why we want to give you an overview of skin lumps on for greater awareness and instruction, should you find one.

Keeping your pet safe during a home renovation requires extra planning and precautions. Home renovation ranks among the top five most stressful events in a person’s life. Pets in the home compound the chaos and complications. There are several dangers to pets when your home is under construction. Sharp tools, demolition debris, and the general frenzy of workers coming and going through open doors all pose risks.

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services know how important it is to keep your furry friend safe. Let’s take a closer look at what to do. 

Summertime sings with backyard gatherings, cold beverages, and everyone’s favorite recipes from the grill. But the last thing you want to do is to sing the barbecue blues when you have a grilling related accident with your furry friend. Hot grills and pets do not mix. This is why we see many pet emergencies from unattended grills and food left on tables and in open trash bins.

Since we are in grilling season, your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services want to give you 4 tips to keep your dog safe while you grill. Read on to learn more. 

Pet owners, some of you get frustrated when it comes to refilling your pet’s prescriptions. You may be busy and wait until the last pill of your pet’s medications to think about a refill. Or you think about it a few days ahead, but still risk ending up with a gap before getting a refill. It isn’t your veterinarian’s goal to make your life difficult. 

Some of the factors that can impact getting a quick refill:

Hydration is important throughout the year, but especially in the hot summer months. Many pets become dehydrated when the temperatures are high, especially when they are outdoors often. Some water bowls for pets are better than others at encouraging your furry one to drink from them. The OVRS team has compiled a list of some of the best water bowls for pets as well as what you should do to keep the bowls clean.

Dog cleaning wipes make keeping your fur friend tidy much easier. They are especially handy when your dog is between baths, while you travel with your dog, and when you enjoy the great outdoors with them. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to give you the 411 on the best dog wipes for your bestie’s cleaning needs. Let’s take a closer look!

There are some amazing options in pet-friendly cleaning products that promise less harsh, environmentally-friendly ingredients. Spring and summer are great times to do an overhaul of your home and garage. From getting rid of old belongings to washing windows, it is satisfying to see your home in great order. Unfortunately, many cleaning products on the market are unsafe for our furry loved ones.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has done the sleuthing and has a few safe but effective recommendations for our pet loving friends.

When a dog has heartworm disease, it can damage their heart or be life threatening. Heartworm disease is costly to treat, and the treatment itself is very uncomfortable for a pet. The more advanced the disease, the more challenging the case. This is why prevention is crucial. It is less expensive and less harmful to your pet than treating heartworms.

Heartworm disease is on the rise, with more than 250,000 pets diagnosed each year. The good news is that there is treatment. If your dog has heartworms, here are some of the important steps in diagnosing and treating the disease to have fewer side effects and greater success.

Some pet owners are surprised when they learn there is a difference in the cost of care at a pet emergency and specialty care hospital versus their regular vet. We often hear pet owners ask “why is veterinary emergency and specialty care so expensive?” 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain prices at emergency and specialty care hospitals. Our aim is to help pet families better understand what to expect. This allows pet families to prepare for the unexpected. If you’re prepared, you can give your pets the level of care they need for the healthiest, happiest life possible.