Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon

06/12/2026

Summer temps have arrived in Central Oregon, and Dr. Leanne, one of our emergency doctors, is sharing the top 5 things pet parents should watch out for this season. From hot pavement to blue green algae, a little awareness can go a long way in preventing an emergency visit.

Watch the full video for her tips on keeping your pets safe all summer long! And remember, our ED is open 24/7, so we're always here if you need us.

06/10/2026

"I have no idea what this is or why I'm on it but everyone seems very excited so I am too." — Bennie

06/08/2026

Every May, we’re proud to offer free eye exams to working and service dogs through the ACVO National Service Animal Eye Exam program. This year we got to meet Shasta — an avalanche rescue dog at Mt Bachelor who depends on her vision every day on the mountain.

Thank you to ACVO Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening and Epicur Pharma for making this program possible. Registration opens every April, learn more here: https://acvo-saves.org/

06/04/2026

06/01/2026

Cheatgrass season is here, and we're already seeing dogs come into our ER with embedded awns. These tiny grass seeds are sneaky and can work their way into ears, eyes, paws, and more. If left untreated, they can migrate deeper into tissue and cause serious infections or abscesses.

A few ways to protect your pup:
- Stick to maintained trails and avoid fields with wild grasses
- Check your dog head-to-toe after every outdoor outing
- Look for redness, itching, licking, or head shaking

When in doubt, get it checked out. Awns won't work themselves out on their own!

05/29/2026

Healing looks a little different for every patient. For Ozzy, it meant an iPad, some nature videos, and a Bluey stuffy to keep him company 💙

05/27/2026

When Bob's family noticed he hadn't urinated in over a day, had vomited, and seemed uncomfortable, they knew something was wrong. They rushed him to their family vet, who recognized the severity of the situation and referred Bob to the specialized team at , where he was diagnosed with a serious urinary blockage. Without treatment, the situation could have become life-threatening quickly.

Thanks to PetsForward, Bob was able to receive the urinary surgery he needed. After surgery, the blockage was cleared, and Bob made a full recovery. He is healthy, happy, and back to being himself at home.

Your support helps make care like this possible. Learn more here: https://www.petsforward.org/

05/25/2026

"The blanket treatment was an unexpected touch. 10/10 would recommend." — Daisy

05/22/2026

Team VRCCO had a blast competing in the Pole Pedal Paddle last weekend, Ace Ventura style!

Did we win? That's not important. Did we have fun? Absolutely, despite the crazy weather!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and to MBSEF for an amazing event!

05/20/2026

It’s Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week, so we asked our team what they wish someone had warned them about before taking the job. Some answers made us laugh. Some made us tear up a little. All of them were a good reminder of just how much heart it takes to do this work.

Thank you to our vet assistants for everything you do, every single day. Happy Week! 💙