Our Blog

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

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...

Summer Safety for Pets
Expert advice from Dr Sherry Hill, Medical Director of Firehouse Cedar Park and Dr Kristen Ussery

2 minute readPrep for a healthy summer alongside your pets with Dr Sherry Hill and Dr Kristen Ussery’s safety tips. Let’s keep our pets safe this summer. We’ve asked Dr Sherry Hill and Dr Kristen Ussery to share their tips and stories with us as we head into the...

Firehouse Makes An Impact Through Giving

Aug 12, 2020

Dr Justin Nelson at Firehouse Belterra (pre-COVID) helping a pet from WAG Shelter.Our charitable giving and community involvement reflect a deeply rooted commitment to lifelong wellness for animals that extends beyond the walls of our hospitals. When we launched...

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September

Jul 22, 2020

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September – will offer your cats and dogs an abundance of bells and whistles The team at Firehouse Animal Health Centers will offer your pets a new service starting this September: boarding and daycare for cats and...

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Jul 14, 2020

We use Fear Free® calming methods at Firehouse. We thought we'd take a moment to explain more about these tactics so you can see how they benefit your cat or dog. You might hear us talking about “Fear Free®” a lot at Firehouse. That’s because we’ve found that these...

Firehouse Now Carries CBD Chews and Oils for Your Pets

Jun 11, 2020

Firehouse is now offering our clients CBD products that are proven to work and are safe for your pets. We’ve found the CBD industry to be a bit wild since it’s unregulated, with many players developing their own concoctions that could have inconsistencies from one...

Summertime Tips

May 27, 2020

Summertime in Texas -- A great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s boating on one of our lakes, hiking along the Greenbelt, or road tripping, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for...

Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Mar 9, 2020

Updated April 2, 2020: We've brought you the good news that your pet cannot transmit COVID-19 or become sick with it. And you're likely getting more snuggles in these days. So we hope you're hanging in there! Our team pulled together their go-to "tips and tricks" to...

Jessie’s Story

Feb 27, 2020

A ten-year-old stray dog goes from shelter pet to best sister ever Earlier this year, Austin Animal Center brought Jessie to Firehouse Westlake. Jessie is a ten-year-old stray who was found on the streets of Austin and in desperate need of some healthcare. When we did...

Tips for brushing your puppy, kitten or full-grown pet’s teeth

Jan 23, 2020

We wrote about the importance of annual dental check-ups and professional cleanings in our blog last year. An annual professional dental cleaning is truly the only way to keep pets’ teeth healthy. Here’s a quick refresher: -Bacteria that form on your pet’s teeth can...

You were gifted a puppy or kitten for the holidays. Now what?

Jan 3, 2020

Congratulations! We know that this is an exciting time, but also there is a lot to do and adjustments to be made to make sure your pet is happy and healthy. So, what are the immediate next steps? Dr Ashley Opyt, Medical Director at Firehouse Kyle, says "The first two...

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