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Firehouse is committed to keeping your pet happy and healthy while preventing disease.

Pet Safety Essentials for Every Weather Emergency
Our simple tips can help you prep for hurricanes, floods, and fires

3 minute readEnsure your pet’s safety by getting them microchipped. A microchip with up-to-date information greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet if they become lost, especially during emergencies or natural disasters.Natural disasters like...

Monthly Heartworm Prevention is Critical for Pets
Guard against this disease, which is deadly for cats & expensive/complicated to treat for dogs

4 minute readWhen a mosquito bites an animal with heartworm disease, they transfer the disease to the next animal they bite.In vet school, Dr Natalie Davis’s roommate adopted an adorable German Shepherd puppy named Winnie. At Winnie’s first puppy visit, the...

Warm Hearts, Tiny Paws: Meet Cici
A blind kitten reminds us the importance of unconditional love

3.5 minute readCaption: Dr Rebecca Davies, Medical Director of Firehouse Round Rock….When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion, and love. For nearly two years, Williamson County...

Helping Austin Families and Their Pets
Firehouse offers free care through Season for Caring

3 minute read“We do everything the pet needs,” says Dr Brianna Armstrong, Medical Director of Firehouse183. “It’s an incredible opportunity to provide healthcare with an underserved community.”“We give because pets bring joy to their humans and offer support during...

Don’t Let Your Pet Eat Garden Mushrooms
Tips to keep dogs and outdoor cats safe after rainfall

3 minute readDogs (and outdoor cats) are curious. They might sniff, lick, or eat things they discover during walks or backyard playtime.Garden mushrooms are a year-round hazard for dogs and outdoor cats in Central Texas. That’s because our lawns become breeding...

Caring for Your Pet’s Ear Infections
Expert tips to help cats and dogs when they’re in pain

5 minute readDr Natalie Davis’s tips for managing ear infections are: 1) Regularly clean your pet's ears with vet-approved cleaners, 2) Keep ears dry after swimming or bathing, and 3) Consult your vet for accurate diagnosis and treatment.Dr Natalie Davis is our newest...

Your Cat Isn’t Eating? Call Your Vet
Next steps when your feline turns down food

2 minute read Cats shouldn’t go through phases of not eating. Any significant reduction in food intake could be a sign of an issue. Stella, a 5-year-old domestic shorthaired cat, recently stopped eating her favorite tuna-flavored kibble. Her pet dad Doug...

Dog Off Their Food? Tips to Get Them Eating Again.
Causes, solutions, and when to call the veterinarian

2 minute read If your dog is behaving normally, is responsive, and alert, there’s no need for immediate concern. However, call us if your dog has missed more than two meals, is lethargic, vomits, or has loose stools. When Lucy the doodle stopped eating in May, her dog...

Pet Vomit: What You Need to Know
Simple steps for dealing with cat or dog throw up

2.5 minute readDr Sherry Hill, Medical Director and veterinarian at Firehouse Cedar Park, offers tips for a vomiting pet.Last Saturday, Lucy, a playful Golden Retriever, threw up after her usual morning walk. Her owner, Jenna, panicked and wondered what to do next....

Finding the best exercise routine for your dog
Drs Barbara Boechat and Michelle Henthorne offer advice

4 minute readDrs Boechat and Henthorne chat about exercise. They advise walking your dog a little every day instead of a lot all at once.Picture riding your bike on a sunny day with your dog trotting beside you. His ears are flapping in the wind and you’re delighted...

5 ways to nurture your senior pet
Make the most of your companion’s golden years

May 5, 2022

3 min read “My cat, Sid, was found many years ago living as a street cat in Brooklyn, NY where my husband lived at the time,” says Georgie Chadwick, the new Hospital Manager at Firehouse Westlake. “Sid wandered around the neighborhood, looking for food and hiding...

Ticks are Little. They Spread Big Diseases
Protect your cat and dog with preventive medicine

Apr 1, 2022

2.5 min read “We recently saw a stray boxer who was covered in hundreds of ticks,” says Dr Faith Weeks. “Before we started the giant task of removing all of them, we gave him a dose of Bravecto. This helps the ticks fall off on their own. We spent several hours making...

My pet ate poison. Now what?
The 5 things to do next

Mar 4, 2022

1 min read If you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have eaten, don’t panic. Many pets eat toxins. We won’t judge you over the item or substance. Life happens. We’re here to help. Step 1: Find the packaging. It helps to have the product packaging so...

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth: What to Know for Cats and Dogs
It's easier than it seems!

Feb 4, 2022

2.5 min read Brushing is a good habit to form as part of pet dental care. It’s a nice addition to professional cleanings. While there are a lot of tricks we can teach our pets, brushing their own teeth is not one of them. Alas, this task falls to owners. Get started...

Prep for Everything This Winter: How to Protect Your Pets During Austin Cold Fronts

Jan 5, 2022

2 min read Dogs (and even cats!) can enjoy the snow. The cold and texture of the snow are new sensations, triggering all sorts of positive stimuli in their brains. Read the tips below if you plan to be outdoors in the snow for long periods of time. Or if Mother...

When is the Right Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
You and your vet decide together based on breed, age, and health

Dec 1, 2021

2 min read We wish there was a hard and fast rule when spaying or neutering your pet, but there is no perfect age. Your pet's health and breed, among other factors, determine the right time. What's the right age to spay or neuter my pet?Discuss this with your...

Xylitol: Is it Lurking in Your Pantry?
Symptoms, treatments, and what to do if you think that your pet has eaten it.

Nov 3, 2021

The number #1 recommendation from professionals is to read food labels before feeding anything to your pet. Do you have sugar-free gum, candies, or powdered peanut butter in your pantry? A sugar substitute called xylitol(also called birch sugar)is common in most of...

4 Halloween Treats to Keep Away from Your Pet

Oct 21, 2021

10/21/2021 | 2 min read Staying safe on Halloween doesn’t need to be tricky. Celebrate the spookiest night of the year by keeping your pet away from these hazards: #1: Candy bags and wrappers Bags and wrappers can be as dangerous to your pet as the treats...

How to Recognize Pain in Your Cat

Sep 20, 2021

Even though house cats have been domesticated for 10,000 years, their instincts still tell them to hide their vulnerabilities.Cats are stoic. This trait can make it hard to know when they're in pain.Your cat may experience pain for many reasons: joint issues, tooth...

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