About Veterinarians and the Veterinary Team
A veterinarian is a medical doctor who has attended four years of veterinary school after college to obtain a doctorate.
Responsible Ownership
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Choosing a Pet
Those who wish to bring a pet into their families are encouraged to consider their ability to provide for the pet's care in all areas, including food, shelter, grooming, licensing, training, and regular examinations with a veterinarian. Families should plan for the costs of unexpected illness or injury.
Esterilizar a su Mascota
Un estimado de 10 millones de gatos y perros son eutanisados cada año debido a la sobrepoblación y por falta de hogares. La cantidad de eutanasia es más alta en gatos que en los perros, tanto en Oregón como através de la nación.
Giving Pets as Gifts: Consider the Choice Carefully
Pets can bring joy and companionship into someone’s life, but they are also a responsibility. They require time, energy, and money in order to be cared for properly. Although your intentions may be good, it is important to consider the following before giving a pet as a gift.
Pet Health Insurance
An increasing number of pet owners are choosing to purchase pet health insurance policies for their pets. Typically, such policies provide reimbursement coverage for your pet’s eligible medical treatments, surgeries, lab fees, X-rays, and prescriptions.
Resources for Responsible Pet Ownership: Financial Options & Assistance
Those who wish to bring a pet into their families are encouraged to consider their ability to provide for a pet's care, grooming, food, and medical bills. Pet owners should plan for the costs of unexpected illness or injury.
Selecting a Veterinarian
Selecting a veterinarian is a personal choice, much like selecting your family physician or dentist. In selecting a veterinarian, your goals should be to find the doctor that best meets your needs and to establish a long-term relationship.
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Sadly, each year in the US hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized because of overpopulation. Altering pets through spay/neuter surgery helps prevent the unwanted birth of animals that may be difficult to place into good homes. The spaying and neutering of pets can also reduce the incidence of sex-hormone related diseases.
Understanding the Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
The OVMA office receives calls from owners asking for clarification as to why their veterinarian requires their animal to have a health exam prior to a prescription being filled, a vaccine being administered, or other health services being performed. By Oregon law, a licensed veterinarian must have a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship with you and your animal in order to provide veterinary services.
Your Puppy or Kitten's First Visits to the Veterinarian
A good start in life is critical for your pet and your veterinarian plays a vital role. Puppies and kittens have different nutritional requirements than adult animals, a greater sensitivity to drugs, and a greater susceptibility to diseases and parasites, so it's important that they are examined by a veterinarian during their first weeks of life.