Search Results for ‘weight’
We Got the Beat…On Caring for Pet Heart Patients at Home
Pets with cardiac issues need a little extra TLC. If you are the caretaker of one of these special animals, you may be wondering what you need to do at home to help your pet stay as healthy as possible. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services knows that you want to do everything you can to achieve this. With a little extra effort at home, pet heart patients often do quite well.
Home Strategies for Pet Heart Patients
Depending on your pet’s diagnosis, our team may have individualized recommendations for your patient at home. There are some generalized things, though, that most pet heart patients can benefit from.
Go Spartans! A Healthy Dose of March Madness
For many, team sports are exceedingly fun to watch – but we’re hard pressed to find a sport that surpasses the chaos and fanfare of college basketball. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is known for hosting sizable tournaments in a variety of sports. However, they’ve achieved unmatched distinction through the promotion and organization of exciting (dare we say frenzied?) basketball games.
This time of year gives way to explosive competitions. The term March Madness describes the heightened enthusiasm surrounding men’s and women’s college basketball, and all of us at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services are eager to thoroughly enjoy this basketball phenomenon. We invite you to join us/compete with us to help determine the next champions of college basketball with our OVRS March Madness Pool! Continue…
Treat Talk: Navigating the World of Pet Treats
A pet’s love affair with treats is as old and deep as the sea itself. Well, maybe we’re being a bit dramatic, but all pet owners know how much their pets enjoy treats. From the humble Milk-Bone to the gourmet, handmade pet treats that are so prevalent these days, it can be tough to figure out what’s safe and healthy for our pets.
We are big fans of treats here at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, and we want to help you make informed choices when it comes to selecting the treat that’s right for your pet.
The Big “No-Nos”
There are a surprising number of dangers among certain treats. Balancing the risks and benefits is key when selecting a treat for your pet. Especially hearing about so many recalls in the news. Some of the problems that may result from treats include:
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The Owner’s Manual for Home Care for the Diabetic Pet
If your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes, you may feel a little overwhelmed and words like pathophysiology, insulin, and glucose curves may have your head reeling.
Obviously, diabetes is a diagnosis that requires a close relationship with a veterinarian. There are things that you will need to do at home as well. Home care for the diabetic pet is just as important as the care required at the vet’s office. Here’s what you need to know.
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Chemotherapy for Pets – How Will It Affect My Pet?
More pet owners want the best for their pet so they are choosing advanced options for their care. One example is in the treatment of animals diagnosed with cancer–a scary concept when you’re a pet owner.
You want your fur friend to feel better and be with you as long as possible, but you don’t want to make a decision that causes your pet pain and suffering. Oakland Veterinary Referral Services wants to help you make the right decision by better understanding how chemotherapy for pets can affect your furry family member.
Human Chemotherapy vs Treating Pets
One of the primary anti-cancer therapies is chemotherapy for pets, which can be a very effective option for cancer treatment. Most people know someone who has undergone chemotherapy and you know the human side effects all too well: nausea, weight loss, fatigue, and hair loss.
Thankfully, chemotherapy in pets is very different!
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Lights, Camera, Action! The Best Holiday Films Featuring Animals
No one (except maybe Ebenezer Scrooge) could argue with the magical splendor, festive revelry, and spirited generosity that seem to be everywhere this time of year. While it’s simply wonderful to participate in the endless social events and family gatherings, sometimes you just need a night in. If curling up under a chenille throw with your best furry friend doesn’t sound reasonable enough, perhaps our list of holiday films featuring animals will entice you. Go on, get comfy!
Beyond the Standards
Holiday movies have that charming je ne sais quoi that other films just don’t have. Of course, old standards like Elf, Home Alone, and A Christmas Story have their place among all classics. However, our favorite holiday films featuring animals not only elevate the experience of pet ownership but also highlight the power of the human-animal bond. Continue…
More than a Cage: The Benefits of Crate Training
Some dog owners see crates as “cages”, confinement for their animals, to be used as punishment or only if absolutely necessary. Crates are not only necessary at times, but can also be indispensable, caring tools in the hands of responsible pet owners.
When used properly, crating can create more enjoyment of life for you and your dog by creating a safe, secure place for training, transportation, and even relaxation purposes.
At Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, we have discovered that crate-trained dogs experience less stress and tend to do better overall while they are with us, which is why we are touting the benefits of crate training.
The Power of Prevention: Orthopedic Injuries in Pets
Human and animal athletes have more in common than you might think, including a wide variety of orthopedic injuries and problems. In both human and veterinary medicine, we are learning more and more about preventing this kind of trouble. We also have several new and effective options for treating orthopedic injuries in pets.
The team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is your expert resource for keeping your active pets in tip top shape.
Pounds of Prevention
Bones and joints are the framework that carry the body. It only makes sense that adding additional weight, and therefore burden, to that framework might predispose the body to orthopedic problems.
In fact, helping your pet to maintain an ideal weight is one of the most powerful things you can do to prevent an orthopedic injury. Weight management is crucial to your pet’s overall health, whether he or she is a couch potato or agility champion.
An Owner’s Guide to Lymphoma in Pets
Cancer comes in all shapes and forms in pets and people alike. While we use the term to describe any condition that results in an unchecked growth of cells within the body, different types of cancer can behave very differently.
Lymphoma in pets is a common diagnosis here in our oncology department, and a condition that we want all pet owners to know about.
Lymphoma Basics
One of the most common forms of cancer seen in both dogs and cats, lymphoma results from a cancerous mutation in one of the cells in the bloodstream, the lymphocyte. Lymphoma can begin in several areas of the body responsible for lymphocyte production, including the:
Options for Helping Pets with Hyperthyroidism
The endocrine system is a group of glandular organs that secrete hormones, and is responsible for regulating bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, tissue function, and reproduction. It is composed of important players, including the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland, and the ovaries or testes. The endocrine system is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus of the brain, and Its health is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
One of the most common dysfunctions of this system we see in pets involves the thyroid gland.
Learn about how this affects our animal patients and what we can do to treat hyperthyroidism in pets.
