Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog
Canine Noise Aversion: When the Sounds of Summer Frighten Your Dog
Loud noises from fireworks, summer thunderstorms, loud TV sounds and boisterous gatherings can be a source of anxiety for pets, as many dog owners know. Dogs that exhibit signs of fear and more extreme reactions to loud noises have Canine Noise Aversion, classified as a canine phobia or anxiety disorder.
Pet Estate Planning: How Will Your Pet be Protected?
One of the most important aspects of being a pet owner is making sure our animals are always cared for. Our pets are family and as such, we don’t want to worry about something happening to them if we are incapacitated or no longer around. Preparing for the future with pet estate planning is the best way to protect them. Without it, you’re hoping someone will take them in and that your pet doesn’t end up in a shelter. But what does pet estate planning look like and where do you start?
The Subtle Signs of Animal Abuse in the Home
Often when we think of animal abuse, we think of gross abuse where the animal is chained, neglected, beaten or used in dog fights. We may miss subtle signs of animal abuse in homes more often than we think. Without an understanding of what to look for, even a primary pet care provider may miss signs that a pet is being abused in their own home. What are the situations and signs that may indicate less obvious animal abuse and how should we respond?
A Look Inside: Canine Stifle Arthroscopy
A stifle joint – essentially your dog’s knee – is one of the most vulnerable parts of the canine anatomy. It is common for dogs to rupture or strain their cranial cruciate ligament (which connects the thigh bone to the lower leg at the knee) through injury, accident, obesity, or degenerative joint disease. A tear or rupture of the cruciate ligament destabilizes the stifle joint, triggering inflammation and pain, cartilage damage, meniscal injuries and ultimately pelvic lameness or osteoarthritis.
Pet Cloning: Is It Safe? Does It Make Sense?
Our pets are with us such a short time and no one wants to say goodbye to a beloved pet. With pet cloning, you may not have to. Multiple companies can currently clone your dog or cat with a simple procedure — though it comes with a hefty price tag. What are your options for cloning your pet, and what are some of the possible risks and ramifications?
Dog Food Recalls: How Did a Euthanasia Drug Get into Dog Food?
A string of dog food recalls made the news because the source of contamination is an unusual one–a drug used to euthanize animals. The question is how did this euthanasia drug make its way into dog food?
More than 100+ million cans of dog food from three U.S. manufacturers were recalled due to the presence of the drug pentobarbital. This barbiturate (sedative) is most commonly used for anesthesia and for euthanasia. Five dogs were reported to have fallen ill due to pentobarbital-contaminated food. One of the dogs, unfortunately, did not survive.
How to Make a First Aid Kit for Your Pet
Not every pet injury requires a trip to the veterinarian. For minor pet emergencies, a first aid kit for your pet is a great idea. For larger issues, a good first aid kit can help until you can reach emergency care. Do you know if you’re prepared to handle a cut, a bee sting, a mild allergic reaction, or an upset stomach?
We all love our pets, so a first aid kit is the best way to be prepared in case of a pet emergency.
Mr. Miggs’ Story
Hello! My name is Dr. Jessica Ottnod, a Veterinary Oncologist with Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. I want to share the special story of how my dog, Mr. Miggs, became part of my life. I believe destiny was at work to bring us together.
Mr. Miggs is originally from Alabama’s gulf coast. He somehow made his way to a small kill shelter that was not able to take in many stray dogs. Fortunately, the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, IL, is a fantastic organization that sends out vans all over the country with a mission to rescue dogs from kill shelters. Mr. Miggs happened to be one of the lucky few.
Heartworm Resistance in Dogs
Heartworm disease is one of the most serious diseases that can affect many mammal species, including dogs and cats. When an animal is diagnosed with heartworms, it means that they literally have worms living in their body, which mostly attack the heart and lungs and even sometimes the blood vessels. Over time, heartworms will cause damage to all of their organs and have the ability to eventually cause heart failure, making this a potentially fatal disease.
Fortunately, heartworm disease is very preventable. The challenge for pet owners is to use heartworm preventatives on their pet consistently. Heartworm preventatives on the market have a track record of virtually 100% protection if administered regularly with no gaps.
Continue…
What are the Best Pooper Scoopers?
What kind of pooper scooper is best? Do you need a heavy-duty pooper scooper, or maybe a pooper scooper with a bag attached? Or do you eschew using a pooper scooper at all–what would make your life easier? Part of the responsibility of being a good dog owner means picking up their poop. Because we love our dogs so much, most of us don’t mind (too much) picking up after them–but it helps to have the right equipment.
Whether you take your dog out for a daily walk around the neighborhood or they get to roam free in a big backyard, picking up your pet’s poop is simply part of the deal. And it’s completely worth it, right? In exchange for having to pick up after your dog, you get the benefit of receiving their unconditional love, which often includes a bunch of wet, sloppy kisses.
Dogs are the best, aren’t they?
