Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Dogs are naturally curious creatures; sometimes, they explore the world around them with their mouths. If your dog swallows a foreign object, you should get them veterinary care as soon as possible. The Oakland Veterinary Referral Services team is here to walk you through how we handle situations when a dog swallows something.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we see our fair share of injuries. Our expert emergency team knows how to offer animals the best care, including treating bite wounds in pets:

Each dog has a unique personality. A large part of being a successful pet owner is giving the animal the space to be themselves and doing what you can to help when needed. Life with a reactive dog can be challenging at times, but taking the proper precautions and giving your dog the guidance they need can be a very rewarding experience for both of you.

In a pet emergency, how can you tell when every second counts vs. when you have some time for a regular veterinary appointment? This guide will help you figure out which pet emergencies can and cannot wait.

Accidents and emergencies will happen to even the most prepared pet owners. Although we can’t plan for everything, we can prepare ourselves by knowing when our pets need emergency care right away. 

Hot spots are a common skin issue affecting dogs, which can leave your pup with unpleasant side effects. The Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) team is here to help. This guide teaches you how to treat and prevent hot spots on dogs.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has a blood bank and provides blood transfusions to dogs and cats who have a pet emergency. We often ask dogs to be blood donors and have cat owners ask if we also need cat donors, but we always use canine blood. Can a cat receive a blood transfusion from a dog, and if so, in what circumstances? Our guide explains cat transfusions and when it is okay to use canine blood in feline patients.

Spring is on the horizon, which means seasonal allergies, warmer weather, and beautiful blooms are on the way. While spring has many fantastic elements, it can also bring allergies to people and pets. Seasonal allergies in dogs can put a damper on your springtime plans but have no fear. With preparation, you can help prevent seasonal allergies for your pups and enjoy the season’s beauty. If these first steps aren’t sufficient for your pet, consider an allergy specialist at a specialty veterinary hospital like Oakland Veterinary Referral Services. 

As dogs age, they are more susceptible to certain conditions, such as dog dementia (aka canine cognitive dysfunction), affecting their memory and mental functions. Although there is currently no cure for dog dementia, spotting it quickly can help you and your veterinarian manage it and slow its progression. Keep reading for more information on the disorder and how it could affect your pet. 

Cats love boxes. They love boxes so much, in fact, that sometimes they prefer the packaging of a new toy to the toy itself. If you’ve noticed that your cat seems to love boxes more in colder weather, you are not alone in noting this mystery. Keep reading to learn why cats love boxes even more in winter:

We can all learn something about being cozy from our feline friends. Cats are experts at seeking out spots that provide the ultimate comfort and warmth. Make life a little easier for your cat by investing in one of these heated beds for cats. Here are some great options to keep your kitty happy and warm (and maybe off your keyboard) all winter long.