Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Medical needs can mean that our pet has to stay at the hospital overnight. If your pet is undergoing a procedure or is dealing with a serious illness or injury, you might need to leave your pet at the hospital overnight. Here is what you can expect when you have to part with your pet with the caring team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services:

Overnight Team

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we have a critical care team here throughout the night to ensure someone is always here to care for your pet. Whether your dog is healing after surgery or we are monitoring after an emergency, your trusted veterinary team is here to handle any situation that may arise. We are here to watch over your pet for the duration of their stay in our hospital so you can feel completely secure in their safety. They will be given lots of love and TLC.

Looking for the best “cone of shame” alternatives? The infamous cone of shame (that resembles an Elizabethan collar) is a necessary but awkward veterinary tool. It can keep pets from licking, biting, or scratching at an injury or a wound that’s healing post surgery. But these cones are large and cumbersome, which can make it hard for your pet to eat, sleep, and even walk around the house. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has compiled this list of best alternatives to the cone of shame so you can help your pet recover without hindering his daily life:

Our dogs bring so much joy to our daily lives and we do our best to keep them safe. Sometimes, though, an unexpected emergency can come out of nowhere and can require us to respond quickly. If your dog gets hit by a car, be sure to do the following to get them the help they need:

As pet owners, we are responsible for not only our pet’s shelter, nutrition, health, and wellness, but also their behavior. If your dog bites another dog, you can be held responsible, which means it is important to act quickly and responsibly. At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we want you to feel empowered when it comes to your pets, which is why we’ve created this guide on what to do if your dog bites another dog:

Any cat owner knows that although common, cat hairballs create an unpleasant scenario on the rug, the couch, and on really unlucky days, the bed. If you are tired of following your cat around with cleaning products, there are a few ways you can decrease the number of hairballs he generates. Use these tips to reduce cat hairballs in your home:

Responsible pet owners understand that planning for the unknown is one of the most important aspects of adding an animal to your home. Unexpected veterinary costs can be extremely expensive. Both pet health savings accounts and pet insurance can help cover the costs in these scenarios, but which is right for you? Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) is here to help you decide.

In a perfect world, we could all afford the healthiest food for our pets that helps them live as long as possible. In the real world, but some healthy pet food options are just too expensive for many of us to buy regularly. If you are looking for healthy pet food on a budget, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here with helpful tips for you:

Ah, the dog days of summer. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the beautiful weather with the one you love most: your pupper. If you have a chance to get out on the water this summer, why not share the experience with your favorite canine companion? Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here with safety tips for boating with a dog to make sure you can have all the fun this summer:

Pet medications are becoming more common to combat illness, infection, allergies, and even behavioral or anxiety issues. Sometimes pet parents find that they have a surplus of unused medications and no idea what to do with them. These medications could be dangerous if not taken care of properly. If you are looking to dispose of unused medicines, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services has a few tips for you:

When your pet is experiencing an unexpected illness or injury, acting fast can make a huge difference in having a successful outcome. Pet urgent care and emergency pet care are generally two different options for fast response pet care although with some overlap. 

Finding the right kind of care for your pet as quickly as possible could mean the difference between life and death (or other undesired outcomes). Keep reading to find out about pet urgent care and when it is the right option for your medical needs: