Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Veterinary hospitals and those in the veterinary profession do our best to provide high quality services at an affordable cost. As veterinary medicine advances, it can get expensive, especially for pet emergencies and specialty care. This is a reality and one we at OVRS do not take lightly.

Veterinary care for our four-legged family members is a priority for pet owners, but there are times when the cost of treatment or surgery is not an option due to financial constraints. It is our hope to help bridge the gap with 10 ways that some pet owners have been able to fund their pet’s medical care. Every pet owner should be able to get their pet the care he or she needs.

What has been labeled the opioid epidemic or crisis has impacted not only the medical community but also law enforcement, municipalities, the pharmaceutical industry, community health and safety, and so many others. News headlines about this epidemic are frequent, while states have mobilized to address the issues of addiction and prescription drug abuse.

At first, some may wonder why this human addiction has anything to do with our pets. Unfortunately, some of the drugs we use to treat pain in our pets can be abused by humans. Although opioids are used on a more limited basis by veterinarians, we must be vigilant in light of possible prescription abuse.

The opioid epidemic and how it affects the veterinary community is a difficult one, but one we want to address.

Coyotes, and other wildlife, are no longer just remote animals we see when camping in the woods or visiting wild areas. Coyotes, raccoons, wolves, deer, skunks, and many other species have had to adapt and are now thriving in urban environments alongside humans.

Coyotes are predatory by nature, giving pet owners good reason to be concerned for the safety of their pets. Our goal is to help you better understand coyotes, and how they interact with small animals, so that our pets can more safely live alongside them.

With more than $70 billion spent each year on pet food and care products, there’s no doubt that we love our dogs, cats, and other furry friends. In fact, 66% of all households in the United States have one or more pets. A house is not a home without whiskers and paws, after all.  

Most recently, Millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) surpassed Baby Boomers as the generation with the most pets. And there’s no stopping this fur-crazed phenomenon with the arrival of the next pet loving generation!

The future stands to be bright for our four-legged pals, but why are younger generations taking the lead on pet ownership? OVRS is here to take a look at this trend.

If you have, or are expecting, a new pet to complete your happy home, this is a time of excitement and preparation. The arrival of an adopted fur friend is one that is a mix of enthusiasm, anticipation, and all-the-feels you can expect when you add to your family.

This first few months is also prime time for preparing your new pet for a life of health, happiness, and general wellbeing. There is no time like the present to get a sense of the tasks ahead as you make a pet wellness plan.

How do you do this? Your OVRS team is here with some tips for getting your new pet ready for that incredible life!

Pet environmental enrichment has become critical in encouraging smarter, healthier, and better behaving pets. Enrichment engages your pet mentally and physically, and is necessary for reducing the anxiety, boredom and frustration associated with being indoors.

The concept of enrichment doesn’t have to be a complex one. There are many simple ways to implement an indoor pet enrichment program of your very own. The team at OVRS is here to help guide you through some of these options.

Brr! When Michigan’s winter comes, it can be a frosty, sleety mess. Even during those cold months, an active dog or cat will still need to get some exercise and mental enrichment. After all, you know how tired the same-old, same-old can be when you’ve exhausted all of the TV channels and cleaned out all of your closets.

What crowd-loving canine (or curious cat) doesn’t love to be the center of attention during any festivity? Some pets are highly socialized and enjoy all of the pats and treats, while others are curious or want to take advantage of food opportunities. Other pets may feel anxious or overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd.

This holiday, ask yourself whether your pet should be part of the reveling, or whether you should make other arrangements. Think ahead about your pet and plan how to keep pet safe during parties while you focus on your guests. Here are pet-safe party tips from the team at OVRS.

Is your pet the pet who has everything? Does he have more toys in his toybox than your kid does? If so, you are in luck. Each year, manufacturers up the ante on pet games, accessories, treats, and so many more items.

Even if you are a more discerning and frugal pet owner, there are several new items that may pique you and your four-legged’s interests. From boredom busting to snuggly, we’ve sourced some of the most amazing pet gifts, just in time for the holidays.

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After the spending spree of the holidays, most of us wouldn’t mind cutting costs in the New Year. DIY projects and homemade things never looked better than after a full month of gift buying. There are many ways a cost-conscious pet owner can save cash any time of year with help from your friends at OVRS.

Here are are our 10 best money saving tips for pets owners that will be a benefit to you, as well as your favorite fur friend.

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