Search Results for ‘weight’

After you get the news that your pet requires surgery, it is understandable to be worried. What is the risk and how long will it take for your dog to recover from surgery? Recovery time varies, depending on the type of surgery and your dog’s needs during rehabilitation. 

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services want to explore with you ways in which you can help your dog successfully recover. We also explain the process and typical dog surgery recovery times for healing. 

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, it is understandable to feel helpless and devastated. You may wonder what to do next and how you can best support your pet. 

There are several types of cancers that affect dogs, and some of them are very similar to forms of human cancer. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here to explain cancer in dogs and what you can do to see the signs.

Is there such a thing as a dog heart attack? Yes, heart attacks in dogs happen, although they are rare. When they do occur, they are dangerous. Dog heart attacks occur in all breeds and sizes. Despite their rarity, dog heart attacks are on the rise in the United States. 

A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction, is when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. Without adequate blood flow, tissues lose needed oxygen and nutrients and die. The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services can advise our readers what to look for when a dog is having a heart attack and the conditions that lead to it.

Leptospirosis may not be the topic that great conversations are made of, but it is one every pet owner should understand. This illness not only affects our animal companions but it is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans. 

9% of dogs are estimated to be shedding leptospires, the bacteria responsible for the disease, even if they are asymptomatic. Leptospirosis continues to be on the rise, especially in canines, so it’s essential to understand what it is and how to prevent it.

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services want to update you on this potentially fatal illness in order to keep your dog and whole family safe.

The great news is that the average lifespan of a cat has increased over the years. At one time, the family mouser lived in the barn or yard. They had to scruff around for their meals and avoid the usual scrapes that come with living outside. From encounters with wildlife to poisonous plants, they may have lived for 3 or 4 years if lucky. Now with advanced veterinary medicine, better nutrition and a safer lifestyle for our whiskered pals, the lifespan of a cat has increased considerably.

There are still many variables in determining how long a cat will live. This is why the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to explain the lifespan of cats and what you can do to improve your cat’s health and well-being.

Is your dog itching? While the occasional scratch or nibble at the skin is normal for most dogs, a dog chronically scratching indicates something more serious. Intense itching is an indicator that your pet may have skin allergies or other medical conditions that affect the skin. Skin conditions can also become inflamed or infected. 

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services sees many chronic and complex cases of skin disorders. We can explain reasons behind them and help you get to the bottom of this uncomfortable problem.

Isn’t a begging dog almost synonymous with every dog? Dogs just beg for food, right? Actually, there are things we do to encourage this bad behavior in our canine companions and there are things we can do to get your dog to stop begging for food. 

A begging dog can spell trouble in the weight department if you give in to them. Giving your pet table scraps also increases the risks of toxicity and behavior problems. Plus, it is just plain bad manners for your dog to beg. This is why the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to give you pointers on how to teach a dog not to beg. Read on to learn more!

Kidney disease in cats is a common diagnosis. We estimate that some form of kidney disease affects 20-25% of our feline companions and an even higher percentage of seniors and geriatric cats. 

Kidney function is vital in filtering toxins from the body and keeping electrolytes and water in balance. If the kidneys are compromised, this can result in acute kidney disease or chronic kidney failure (the kidneys getting worse over time). 

The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants cat owners to be aware of this disease and what we can to treat and manage it for a better quality of life.

Awaiting the birth of new pups is an exciting time. When your dog is pregnant or nursing, their diet is key to the puppies’ gestation and development. You may be asking, “What should I feed my pregnant dog”? Good, balanced nutrition is the foundation for health. Building on that, there are specific needs at each stage of your dog’s pregnancy. What you feed your pet can go a long way in delivering healthy puppies. 

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services congratulate you on your upcoming bundles of joy. We are here to provide insight and recommendations on what you should feed your pregnant dog. 

Cardiopulmonary disease in dogs affects the heart and lungs. An integrative approach pairs the disease treatment expertise of Western veterinary medicine with early prevention and holistic health support of Eastern medicine.

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services want to explain more about cardiopulmonary disease in dogs, its prevention, and an integrative approach to its treatment.