Our Blog

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

Protect Your Pets from Coyotes, Bobcats, and Owls
Keep cats & dogs safe from local predators

3 minute readIt’s important to protect cats and dogs from local wildlife who might see our pets as a tasty meal, especially at night. Dr Natalie Davis has a friend who protects her Yorkie from the local hawk population with a spiked vest. “The spikes will deter...

Giving Back: Firehouse’s Season of Care
Ensuring pets receive essential medical services

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...

Garden Mushrooms Are Toxic to Dogs (And Outdoor Cats)
You can help your pet: recognize and prevent exposure 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...

How to Tell if Your Pet Has an Ear Infection
Know the symptoms and treatments for dogs and cats

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...

4 Halloween Treats to Keep Away from Your Pet

2 minute readStaying 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 they contain. Plastic...

Next Steps When Your Cat Stops Eating
Call the vet! Plus, more advice from your Firehouse veterinarians.

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...

What to Do When Your Dog Stops Eating
Causes and when to seek veterinary advice

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...

Quick Tips For Vomiting Pets
What do you do first? When should you worry? Quick tips for a vomiting cat or dog.

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....

How much is too much exercise 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...

8 Top Summer Safety Tips for Your Pets
Drs Sherry Hill and Kristen Ussery Provide Their Top Tips for a Safe and Healthy Summer

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...

Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice

Sep 30, 2019

Autumn is upon us! As we move away from the uncomfortable heat of summer and into cooler days filled with pumpkin spice lattes and chunky sweaters, we need to make sure our pets are safe and prepared for this seasonal change. Firehouse is here with some tips for you...

Back to School Routine Changes Impact Pets, Too

Sep 11, 2019

It’s an exciting time of the year! Back to school season is a big transition for parents and kids. It’s also a big transition period for our pets. The start of the school year means that our pets may have to adjust to being alone for most of the day, which can create...

A Little More About Dr. Spencer

Sep 11, 2019

I think the qualities clients appreciate most are my patience and my compassion for their animals, who I know are like their family members. I know that visiting the vet can be stressful for both cats and dogs, so I take time with pets to make them comfortable during...

Introducing Firehouse Animal Health Center

Sep 11, 2019

Hello, Central Texas! I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of Firehouse Animal Health Center this November near the corner of Broadway and Alameda. As a Central Texas local for 18 years, I’m eager to run my own hospital. I have always cultivated the kind of experience...

Dogs and cats get skin cancer, too.

May 10, 2019

The sun is strong and Central Texans need to protect their skin and their pets’ skin, too. Yes, dogs and cats can get skin cancer. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, we want to share the two kinds of skin cancer in pets you need to be aware of. Below you’ll...

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