Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog
Heartworm Resistance in Dogs
Heartworm disease is one of the most serious diseases that can affect many mammal species, including dogs and cats. When an animal is diagnosed with heartworms, it means that they literally have worms living in their body, which mostly attack the heart and lungs and even sometimes the blood vessels. Over time, heartworms will cause damage to all of their organs and have the ability to eventually cause heart failure, making this a potentially fatal disease.
Fortunately, heartworm disease is very preventable. The challenge for pet owners is to use heartworm preventatives on their pet consistently. Heartworm preventatives on the market have a track record of virtually 100% protection if administered regularly with no gaps.
Continue…
What are the Best Pooper Scoopers?
What kind of pooper scooper is best? Do you need a heavy-duty pooper scooper, or maybe a pooper scooper with a bag attached? Or do you eschew using a pooper scooper at all–what would make your life easier? Part of the responsibility of being a good dog owner means picking up their poop. Because we love our dogs so much, most of us don’t mind (too much) picking up after them–but it helps to have the right equipment.
Whether you take your dog out for a daily walk around the neighborhood or they get to roam free in a big backyard, picking up your pet’s poop is simply part of the deal. And it’s completely worth it, right? In exchange for having to pick up after your dog, you get the benefit of receiving their unconditional love, which often includes a bunch of wet, sloppy kisses.
Dogs are the best, aren’t they?
The Heart of the Matter: Heartworm in Cats Can Happen
If you are a dog owner, chances are good that you know about heartworm disease. Chances are also good that you give your dog a monthly heartworm preventive, and that your dog is tested annually to make sure they are heartworm free. However, you may not know that your cat is also at risk.
Although the chances of your cat contracting heartworm is less than it is for your dog, it has been reported that cats in all 50 states are infected with heartworm. In fact, it has also been reported that 10-14% of all shelter cats are infected with heartworm.
As we become more aware of the prevalence of heartworm disease in cats, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services will take the opportunity to discuss the causes, signs, and prevention of heartworm disease in our feline friends.
The Right Stuff: Finding the Perfect Pet Sitter
When we have to leave our pets, finding a place for them to stay is downright difficult. There are wonderful facilities out there, but for some, a pet sitter who comes to your house is the way to go. But how to find the perfect person for this important job?
Oakland Veterinary Referral Service offers a pet sitter checklist along with a few tips to help you find the perfect match.
One Paw at a Time: Keeping the Dog Out of the Litter Box
Living with both dogs and cats can be a wonderful experience. Not only do we get to connect with and enjoy these two very different species, but watching them play, snuggle, and even annoy each other is a fun and meaningful aspect of pet ownership.
Of course, living with multiple pets has its challenges, especially when Fido has a tendency to raid the litter box. Not only do pet owners hate this disgusting practice, it’s also highly likely that the cat doesn’t appreciate their private bathroom being invaded by the family dog!
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to keep your dog out of the litter box, and your team at OVRS is here to help you every step of the way.
When Good Knees Go Bad: All About Pet Cruciate Ligament Surgery
There isn’t a football fan out there who hasn’t heard of an ACL injury. This common injury in the knee involves the anterior cruciate ligament and can have a player on the sidelines for months. What you might not know, though, is that animals can rupture their cruciate ligament as well. When this happens, thankfully, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to help talk about pet cruciate ligament surgery.
Keeping it Safe: Prevent Pet Poisoning in Your Home
Of the many things you do to care for your pet, we hope that poison proofing your home is one of them. It’s amazing (and somewhat scary) to see just how many things in your home and yard can be toxic to pets. Some may only cause gastrointestinal upset (which is bad enough), but others can cause organ failure or even death.
Poison Prevention Week is the third week in March, so Oakland Veterinary Referral Services would like to share a checklist of common household items that may be hazardous to your pet’s health. Together, we can prevent pet poisoning this month and beyond.
Compassion Fatigue in Veterinary Medicine
Caregivers are a unique breed, so to speak. From human doctors, nurses, and home health care providers, to veterinarians and veterinary technicians and staff, these talented individuals put their hearts and minds into helping their patients every day.
Caregiving professions typically attract people with empathy and compassion. The nature and demands of caregiving work, coupled with these traits, means that sometimes these caregivers may sacrifice their own needs for their patients. Burnout and compassion fatigue can result.
Our profession has seen an epidemic of compassion fatigue in the last few years, which has tragically led to an increase in depression and suicide. At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we wanted to explore this alarming trend and shed some light on what we can do to recognize and prevent compassion fatigue.
Looking Forward to a Bright Future at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services
Let us start by wishing you a happy New Year! We would not be where we are today at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services without our wonderful patients, their families, and the continuing support of our incredible referring veterinarians. For that, we say thank you!
We’ve had a busy year, and we’re always striving to provide our patients with top-of-the-line care in a safe and friendly environment. We’re excited to share with you the ways in which OVRS has grown and changed, while still offering the compassionate care you’ve come to expect.
Entertainment, Stimulation, and Exercise After Your Pet’s Surgery
After surgery, it’s very likely that your pet will be ordered to rest and remain calm during recovery (and we’re sure you want them to rest too!). Depending on the procedure, your pet may be restricted in movement, diet, and other aspects of daily life in order to promote healing. But what does this time of rest during recovery actually mean for your pet?
If you’ve ever had surgery, being relegated to sleep and a restricted regimen can be quite boring. The same is true for your pet post-surgery. Because all animals need enrichment and stimulation, it’s necessary to create games, activities, and other positive outlets that can promote wellbeing during this time.
A happy pet, after all, typically enjoys a faster recovery time. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has some suggestions for activities and exercises after your pet’s surgery.
