Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

Did you know that Oakland Veterinary Referral Services runs its very own blood bank? The Buddies for Life Blood Bank has been a great success and has helped to save the lives of many animals. The products we keep benefit sick dogs and cats at our hospital and those in need at surrounding facilities. Blood products that we collect include:

• Packed red blood cells

This product contains only red blood cells, the cells that are vital for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Animals that are anemic, due to issues such as blood loss, infection, or autoimmune problems, can benefit. Continue…

Looking to have a little fun, maybe win a few fabulous prizes and help save the lives of pets in crisis? Then look no further. The Third Annual Bugaboo Whitt Memorial Bowling Fundraiser and Bugaboo Whitt Memorial Raffle are upon us! And with the proceeds of both events going to benefit TEAR Foundation, there’s really no way to lose.

What is TEAR?

Every year, hundreds, if not thousands, of families have to make the choice between providing life-saving emergency treatment for their beloved pet or saying goodbye before they’re ready. More often than not, the balance of that decision hinges on the financial considerations of the treatment needed and the realities of the family’s pocketbook.  Continue…

No one wants to hear that their pet has hip dysplasia. The term in itself is associated with images of a crippled, debilitated pet. It doesn’t always have to be that way, however. OVRS’s own Dr. Lucy Shields Henney, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, has a special interest in surgical treatments for hip dysplasia and continues to be on the cutting edge of treatment options for affected pets. Continue…

When your pet is sick, getting a diagnosis is an essential part of getting them well again. The faster an accurate diagnosis is achieved, the faster an accurate, effective treatment plan can be formulated. Continue…

At OVRS, we believe that a team approach works best for pet care, especially when more than one speciality is involved. You and your pet benefit from our team’s combined knowledge and skills for a more integrated care experience.

Frustrations of uncoordinated care

There is nothing more frustrating than having to bounce from doctor to doctor or to specialist and back in hopes of resolving a health issue. If they aren’t communicating with each other, and often they are not, you can end up confused, frustrated and with less than optimal care. Continue…

Did you know that at one point in time it was believed that pets didn’t feel pain. Can you even imagine? Today we know a lot better and make it a priority to provide the most effective pain control possible. We accomplish this by preemptively preventing pain, as well as utilizing multimodal techniques, which means we attack the pain from all angles. Continue…

No one ever wants to hear that their pet has cancer.

Unfortunately, the chance that you will hear those words at some point in your pet ownership experience is pretty good.  Cancer is the number one cause of death in older pets.  That’s right, one in four pets will die of cancer.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, located in Bloomfield Hills MI, has built an arsenal to help fight cancer with the best that modern technology has to offer.  Pets that are diagnosed with cancer often will be treated with one or more of the following treatment modalities.   Continue…

A cataract is the disruption in the normal structure of the lens of the eye, causing an opacity and partially or completely blocking a pet’s vision. Cataracts are one of the most common eye problems in pets, and they can affect pets of all breeds and ages.   Continue…

Feline leukemia is caused by an infectious virus which can cause a variety of diseases in cats, including leukemia.  It is usually fatal, with 80-90% of infected kitties dying within 3-4 years of diagnosis.  Because of its serious nature, it is vital for cat owners to understand this terrible disease. Continue…

Who says you can’t have it all?  More and more we are finding ways to incorporate alternative medicine techniques and wisdom into our Western veterinary medicine practice.  The results can be quite impressive!  Our complementary and alternative health offerings include veterinary acupuncture, botanical and herbal therapies, nutraceuticals, and nutritional therapy.  So why is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such a powerful tool?   Continue…