Search Results for ‘weight’

Deciding to adopt a pet can be a big decision. If you have thought long and hard about taking the plunge, you know that making that commitment can be difficult. Once you have decided to adopt, however, the hard part is just beginning.

If you have ever visited an animal shelter, you know how hard it can be to pick just one. There are tons of great pets just waiting to be adopted; how will you know which one is the right fit for your family? If you are taking a trip to the shelter in the near future, be sure to read our guide on choosing a dog to adopt. Continue…

If you are like many pet parents, your holiday gift list will naturally include your pet. And, there are so many wonderful options when it comes to toys, gadgets, and other pet products for our pampered fur friends.

At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we have taken time to spotlight a few of our favorites this season. After all, we are certain your pet has been nice, never naughty, and is definitely deserving of some great seasonal surprises. Continue…

With more pets leading a sedentary life and the increase in pet obesity, more dogs and cats are developing diabetes at some point in their lifetimes. This disease is an important one for pet owners to be familiar with. Do you understand what pet diabetes is, what the symptoms look like, and why it is so serious? If not, be sure to keep reading so that you can be in the know about diabetes in pets.

The Pathogenesis of Diabetes in Pets

When a pet eats a meal, the nutrients are broken down into parts that are usable to the body as energy. Fiber and starches (carbohydrates) are broken down into glucose, which is absorbed into the bloodstream then transferred into cells. In order for this transfer of glucose into the body’s cells, a hormone called insulin is required. Continue…

Keywords: pet memorializing

Celebrating Life: Memorializing Your Pet

There is no denying the profoundly intense bond many of us feel with our pets. Our four-legged friends take care of us just as much as we take care of them. Looking into their eyes is like peering into a well of compassion and unconditional love.

As pet guardians, we are all too aware of the fact that our pet’s lifespans are significantly shorter than our own. Even though we have to say goodbye, at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services we believe in celebrating the time that each of our pets spends with us and the impact they have had on our lives. Most are with us for many years and it’s like losing a very close friend or family member. Continue…

It’s Halloween, and images of black cats are everywhere. Have you ever stopped to wonder how the black cat became associated with the holiday? Keep reading to learn everything you ever needed to know about black cats and Halloween.

The History of Black Cats and Halloween

No one knows exactly how black cats and Halloween have become so closely linked. It may have something to do with how stealthy and slinky these beautiful animals can be, often hunting in the darker hours. Black and the night have long been symbols of evil due to the fears of our ancestors.

Many of the old Pagan religions also associated the black cat with witchcraft and evil. This carried through into Medieval times, where witches were said to take the form of a black cat at their will. During the witch trials, black cats were often burned at the stake alongside witches.

Using fluoroscopy for less invasive surgeries

While X-rays allow us to see inside your pet so that we can better diagnose and treat him or her, they have limitations. A technique known as fluoroscopy allows us to overcome some of the shortcomings of traditional X-rays which capture one moment in time. Imagine X-rays, only in motion! This technique is creating new options in interventional radiology, minimally-invasive fracture repair, and tracheal stent repair for our patients at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services.

What is Fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy is a technique that uses low doses of continuous X-rays transmitted through the area of concern onto a fluorescent screen. These X-rays create a real-time moving image of structures within our patients’ bodies. This allows us to capture images, monitor procedures, and even manipulate the video as we work. Continue…

When you stumble across something on your pet that wasn’t there before, it can be a very disconcerting feeling. Is it a tick? A discarded piece of bubblegum? Cancer???

Pets often have such thick coats that we neglect to find small bumps until they become somewhat large. Some lumps and bumps on pets are no big deal at all, while others can be worrisome. Be sure you know how to handle your next bumpy encounter. Continue…

A pet’s skin is his or her largest organ, so monitoring and maintaining good skin health is an important part of having a happy, healthy pet. Allergies, irritations, infections, parasites, lumps and bumps can all affect pet skin. Take the time to learn how to perform a thorough pet skin check to be sure you are keeping your four-legged friend in tip-top shape.

How to Perform a Pet Skin Check

It is probably best to sit down once a month and really look at your pet closely. You may wish to keep a small notebook to document findings. Get comfortable in a well-lit area of your home. It is probably easiest to put small dogs or cats up on a counter so that you can really see what you are doing, but your lap will work too. Start at the nose and work your way back to the tail. Be sure to look at the following: Continue…

If you have ever had trouble breathing, you know how scary a feeling it can be. There are many causes of breathing trouble in pets, just as with people, but they all result in difficulty taking a breath.

If you have a pet who can’t catch his or her breath, we are going to teach you what you need to know. Pet respiratory problems shouldn’t be taken lightly. Keep reading so that you can breathe easier when caring for your breathing-challenged pet.

Signs of Respiratory Problems

If your pet is having trouble breathing, it is important to have him or her examined right away. Even mild problems can progress rapidly, and you don’t want to wait until things are bad. Continue…

Urinary tract infections are not pleasant, whether you have two legs or four. When the urinary tract (the bladder, kidneys, or ureters between the two) are host to bacteria, no one is happy. Keep reading to learn about UTIs in dogs and what we can do.

Signs of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

Sometimes, despite our body’s best efforts, bacteria can make its way up the urethra into the bladder. Most urinary tract infections in dogs never move beyond the bladder, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t bad news. While UTIs rarely result in systemic infection and remain local, they can cause irritation and discomfort. Continue…