Search Results for ‘parasites’

Kittens and cats are prone to a variety of parasites, both internal and external. Cat parasites are not pleasant dinner conversation, but they are something you should be aware of and discuss with your veterinarian. These invasive foes can lurk in your pet’s body without you even knowing it until your cat’s symptoms worsen.

To help protect your precious feline from exposure, the OVRS team is here to provide more information about cat parasites.

Heart disease in dogs is more common than you might realize. Dogs are susceptible to many different forms of cardiovascular issues that range in severity. Your veterinarian will base the treatment on the type of heart disease. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) wants to help you learn about heart disease in dogs so you can spot any signs of trouble early.  

Anyone who adores our animal friends is also aware of a number of pet myths. How do you get the facts straight when it comes to important aspects of your pet’s health and wellness? While some pet myths seem pretty harmless, there are others that can seriously delay a pet from getting treatment or the care they need.

To shine a light on fact vs. fiction, your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services are here to give you some insight. 

Want to hike with your dog? Dog-friendly hikes are all around us with our state’s beautiful trails, lakes, and natural areas. Hiking with a dog is one of the top recreational activities enjoyed by many Michanganders. Adding your Fido friend to the mix is a wonderful way to give your dog exercise and fresh air while enjoying some serious bonding time. 

There are dangers along the trail that every dog loving hiker should know about, though, and ways to make your hike better for your dog. Here are Oakland Veterinary Referral Services’ top 10 tips on how to have safe, dog-friendly hikes. 

If you are planning on traveling with a dog, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has travel tips and suggestions to make the journey safe for Fido.

Since the pandemic started, there’s been a trend to take to the road to work remotely from campgrounds, RV parks, and adventure destinations. Sales of RVs, conversion vans, and other recreational vehicles have gone through the roof. No wonder so many pets are learning to adapt to life on the road! Along with this trend comes summer vacations and holidays that call for fun road trips. 

Dog food allergies are one of the more frequently diagnosed forms of allergies in dogs. Many dog owners have jumped on the bandwagon of switching to grain-free diets, assuming that their dog is allergic to, or intolerant of, gluten as many humans are. In fact, in most cases the allergen for dogs is a protein or proteins.

The problem with recognizing a food allergy in pets is that it doesn’t always look like tummy troubles. The signs can be more subtle or manifest as a symptom that you might not associate with food allergies.

If your dog has food allergies, there are signs that will be present. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to discuss dog food allergies and intolerances, and what you can do to help your pet.

Dogs with dry skin can be suffering for a number of reasons, including parasites and allergies. Itchy skin is not only unpleasant for your dog but can result in skin problems over time. If your dog is scratching more than normal, they may have dry skin and a possible health condition that contributes to it. 

The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services will scratch the surface of why dogs have dry skin so that you can help give your best fur friend some relief.

September is National Preparedness Month and a great time to focus on disaster preparedness for pets. You may have taken time to think about how to best keep your family safe during an emergency but did you make preparations for your pets? Fires, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters are a part of life. They can be life-threatening without proper awareness and preparation on what to do should a disaster occur. 

Our pets need advance preparation and precautions in case of a big or small emergency as well as a natural disaster. There are things to be aware of, as well as the need for a solid emergency plan, for your pet. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to get you started to better protect your furry loved one. 

Pets explore the world with their mouths. They will try a bite of almost anything in their paths, and it is no surprise that their favorite pastime is eating. When a pet overindulges or has stomach upset, it can be uncomfortable for them and sometimes trigger an emergency. 

Pet stomach problems are a common concern and a frequent reason for visits to our emergency room. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain reasons for tummy troubles and their prevention. Read on to learn more.

Adopting a new pet is an exciting time, especially when you’re also doing good by choosing a shelter dog or cat. Adoption helps free up rescues and shelters, provides love, housing, and care to homeless pets, and creates an awareness of the importance of adopting versus buying pets. Some of our most loving and loved pets have come from shelters or rescues, but these pets can also come with challenges.

The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to cover a few common challenges with shelter pets or rescues, in order to better prepare you for a successful and informed adoption process.