Is My Dog Depressed? Understanding Depression in Canines

is my dog depressedFrom chimpanzees to dolphins, cats to canines, we now know that animals experience complex emotions. Some common emotions you might see in your pet include anxiety, joy, and what we perceive as shame when they do something they shouldn’t have. But, if you have noticed that your pet is suddenly despondent or just seems off, you may wonder about depression.

There are a number of reasons why a pet owner will ask us, “Is my dog depressed?” Let’s take a look at some of the causes of canine depression, and what you can do to help your pet.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Medications

pet medicationsMedications are an essential tool of well-being in every dog or cat’s life. Whether the prescription is a monthly parasite preventive or a short-term antibiotic, where would we be without the health and wellness benefits of prescription medications?

Understanding these potent medications is an important part of being a pet owner. That is why we, as veterinary professionals, encourage lots of questions from pet parents. The team at OVRS compiled some of the more commonly asked questions about pet medications, and their answers.

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Don’t Eat That! When Your Dog Swallows a Foreign Object

dog eats foreign objectRocks, socks, hair bands, skewers–dogs will swallow just about anything, including items that may really surprise you. At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, our 24-hour emergency team has seen a parade of common (and not so common) items come in for removal.

If your dog swallows a foreign object, how would you know? What should you do? And what happens when you suspect that your dog swallowed something and bring your dog to the veterinary hospital?

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3D Diagnostics: The Advantages of Veterinary CT Scans for Pets

ct scannerIf you have experienced a trauma or illness related to the internal organs, you may be familiar with CT imaging, or CAT scans. They are an important tool in modern human medicine in reaching accurate diagnoses. Veterinary CT scans for pets have much the same advantages. They allow for a more detailed look into the health of tissues and organs.

CT scanning provides a three-dimensional image of the internal body. This ability to see inside the body can provide greater success in detecting and treating problems affecting our animal companions. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain why this powerful technology can help us diagnose and treat a slew of health conditions that impact our animal friends.

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The Dog Nose All: The Power of A Dog’s Nose

power of a dogs noseWe all know that dogs have an impressive power of smell. Your dog is in the back of the house, sound asleep. You quietly open a package of ham for a sandwich and look who’s immediately begging at your feet! That’s the power of a dogs nose.

Sniffing out snacks is the least in a list of amazing ways that dogs and their super sniffers improve our lives. You’ll be surprised at the many ways they are aiding humans.

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Top 7 Tips for Running with Dogs

tips for running with dogsTaking Fido out for a run seems pretty straight-forward. Leash, water, run, done – right? Actually, there are several things to keep in mind for your dog’s safety before you head out together. The best exercise is one that is safe and worry-free, so use our 7 tips for running with dogs to help you both get the most out of your runs.

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Dog Treats: The Good and The Ugly

dog treatsEvery pet owner loves seeing their dog’s face light up in anticipation of a treat. It feels so good that we’re tempted to feed them treats all day long. Because we also want our pets to live long, healthy lives, it is best to give them good-quality treats in reasonable quantities.

There are so many treats on the market that your biggest challenge will be choosing the right ones. As you navigate the world of dog treats, here is a little help in determining which treats are good and which are just plain ugly.

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The Start and End of the Royal Corgi Dynasty

royal corgiSince 1933, the Royal Family has had their loyal corgis romping around Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth has shared her love of corgis with the world for over 80 years, helping to keep the Pembroke Welsh Corgi name alive for over fourteen generations. Unfortunately, it seems this royal Corgi dynasty may be put to rest once and for all, but what started the tradition to begin with?

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