Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog
Where Can You Take Your Dog? Almost Anywhere!
With more than 69 million pet dogs in our country alone, it just makes sense that our canine counterparts would be welcome at a variety of public establishments; some employers are even encouraging their employees to bring their pets to work! With evidence of reduced stress, increased productivity, and higher morale, integrating pets into all areas of life seems natural.
In spite of widespread progress in this department, though, dogs aren’t allowed everywhere we want to go (yet!). The great news is that there are some amazing businesses out there that allow you to take your dog, and we’ve got them listed here!
From “No Pets” to “Yes, Please!”
With increased education, socialization, and training programs, dogs are becoming excellent participants in all manner of outings. It used to be that dogs were only allowed in outdoor areas, but now it’s common to take your dog to grocery stores, malls, restaurants, hotels, and more.
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Beer, Burgers, and Pet Safety: 5 Tips for Enjoying Memorial Day Weekend with Your Pets
Memorial Day weekend is the official launch to summer. Consisting of cold brews, volleyball, barbecue, and relaxation, this is the weekend where we launch into summer food and fun. While we appreciate this holiday weekend, it’s important to keep in mind that pet safety becomes an issue when you combine food, alcohol, and plenty of distractions.
With a few precautions, though, you and your furry pals can party it up this weekend – without putting them in danger. To learn more about how to have a great long weekend with your pet, read on.
Pet ICU: Understanding Veterinary Critical Care
When most people consider critical care or an ICU, they likely think of life-threatening medical scenarios where a patient is given life support and monitored closely in a special unit. The same is true for our pet patients. Advances in veterinary critical care have made it possible to treat those with critical illnesses or traumas that once would have likely resulted in a very poor outcome.
While veterinary emergency and critical care are often closely intertwined, veterinary critical care (or intensive care) is a branch of veterinary medicine that focuses on animals who are experiencing a serious medical situation that can potentially be helped. Unlike hospice care, where a pet is supported and kept comfortable during the end stages of life, the goal of critical care is to use all avenues of treatment to give a patient the best chance of survival.
Solving Great Mysteries: Explaining the Small Dog Lifespan
The Egyptian pyramids, crop circles, Stonehenge…there are some mysteries in this world that continue to go unexplained. Perhaps one of the more compelling mysteries for animal lovers everywhere, though, is trying to figure out why some dogs live to be 20 while others are lucky to get to 8 years of age.
Read on with us at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services to unravel the mystery that is the small dog lifespan.
The Good Samaritan’s Guide: How to Help Feral Cats
17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes famously described life outside society as “nasty, brutish, and short”. The same can be said for the lives of feral cats (also called “community cats”). Feral cats generally eat from trash bins and must deal with temperature extremes, traffic, mistreatment from humans and other cats, infections, disease, flea infestations, and more.
Anyone who lives near a population of community cats knows how quickly their numbers can grow, and how susceptible the individuals are to disease and injury. Knowing how to help feral cats is key in reducing their numbers and keeping the population healthy.
Life on the Fringe
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a feral cat is defined as “any cat who is too poorly socialized to be handled…and who cannot be placed into a typical pet home”. Unlike a stray cat, who has become lost or been abandoned by the owners, feral cats are not used to contact with people and are generally too fearful or aggressive to be handled or adopted.
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Mutts Vs. Purebreds: What Pet Owners Need to Know
Prospective pet owners have a lot to think about before committing to bringing home a new, four-legged family member. Although many of us gravitate toward a specific pet breed, there are concerns about the overall health and hardiness of a purebred pet, not to mention a desire to help pets in need by adopting from a shelter or rescue. Thus, we may find ourselves struggling with the age-old debate of mutts vs. purebreds.
Genetic Concerns
Inherited diseases and disorders affect all pets, regardless of breed or background, but a purebred animal runs a higher risk of suffering from one of the many damaging genetic conditions. Although there are no hard and fast statistics on the subject, it goes without saying that breeding animals that share similar genetics will increase the likelihood of passing on diseases or conditions they may share.
Some believe designer crossbreeds (Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo) are healthier than their parent purebred breeds. New research in 2024 revealed that the overall health of designer crossbreed dogs is largely similar to their parent purebred breeds. In this case, a designer mix of genetics is no more or less healthy than their purebred relatives.
The Wonderful World of Hairballs! Your Questions Answered
It’s a rare cat owner who gets away without cleaning up a hairball or two (or many, many more). Most feline fanciers are more than familiar with the telltale low hacking sound that accompanies a soggy, hairy, unidentifiable mess on their couch, bed, or new cashmere sweater.
Have you ever wondered why cats produce hairballs? Is it normal? Is it healthy? Can anything be done to stop–or at least reduce–the amount of hairballs produced? Look no further; your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services have everything you’ve ever wanted to know about hairballs right here!
Spring into Action with Pet Safe Cleaning Tips from OVRS!
The warmer temperatures of spring bring thoughts of backyard barbecues, long walks in the park, and spring cleaning! Cleaning of any sort is a special challenge for pet owners, who not only have extra to clean (shedding fur, grimy food bowls, muddy paw prints, and smelly litter boxes for starters), but who also have to keep the safety of their furry friends in mind at the same time.
The health of your sweet pet is our top priority at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, so consider the following pet safe cleaning tips our gift to you!
The Importance of Pet Safe Cleaning
Using your favorite commercial cleaner in the bathroom or to mop the kitchen floor may not seem like a big deal, but ingredients commonly found in cleaning products, such as alcohol, ammonia, organic solvents, and phenols, can have serious implications for pets. Not only are pets physically smaller than humans, they use their mouths to groom themselves and explore their worlds, making the chances of coming into contact with a cleaning product that much greater.
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Fatal Flowers: Protect Your Pet From Lily Toxicity
The lily is a hardy, resilient flower grown from a bulb that delights florists and gardeners alike. Its scent is intoxicating and lingering, the colors bright and cheerful, and for some, the flower carries special meaning.
There are over 100 different types of lilies – and they’re all toxic for your pet, especially cats (but some varieties are toxic to dogs as well). Sure, many animals pass a potted, planted, or well-placed lily without eating it. Others, sadly, fall victim to lily toxicity. Because of its dangerous effects, we want to make sure pet owners know what to do to prevent – or manage – a potential poisoning.
The Season for Lilies
Spring reveals many blooms and blossoms, and lilies are among the first that pop up from their well-hidden bulbs so be aware of what’s in your yard (or a neighbor’s yard if your pet goes outside). Not only popular in garden beds, lilies abound in grocery, hardware, and home improvement stores to purchase as gifts around Easter time.
Pet Owner Tax Breaks You Should Know About
Tuesday, April 18th is drawing nearer, and those of us who haven’t filed our taxes yet are scrambling to get our documents together, ahead of the looming deadline. Although figuring out which tax deductions you are eligible for can be a headache, it may be worth looking into, especially if you’re a pet owner. While you probably won’t be able to write off that $79 football jersey you bought for your Boston Terrier, chances are you may qualify for other pet owner tax breaks.
Pet Owner Tax Breaks
You may consider Fido or Fluffy a full-fledged family member, but the IRS doesn’t see it that way. Although you won’t be able to claim your dog, cat, parakeet, guinea pig, bearded dragon lizard, or any other pet as a dependent, there are a few ways to offset some of the expense that goes along with owning a pet.
