Our Blog

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

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...

Decoding Your Furry Friend’s Behavior
Understand your cat and dog to strengthen bonds

3 minute readTake your relationship to the next level by understanding your pets’ nonverbal cues.Your pets are full of fascinating quirks and behaviors. Dogs and cats use interesting cues to let owners know their state of mind. In this blog, two of our Firehouse...

3 Signs Your Cat is Stressed
How to eliminate as much stress as you can

Apr 7, 2023

4 min read “I have a 2-year-old cat named Jasmine who travels everywhere with me, which has its difficulties,” says Aubra Mizelle, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Westlake. “Like most cats, Jasmine didn’t love being in the car at first. She would get very stressed. To help...

2023 Travel Tips for Pet Owners
How to vacation with your cat and dog

Mar 1, 2023

3 min read “My dogs and I love to travel to Lubbock, TX to visit my family,” says Savannah. “We always stop at a dog-friendly gas station on the way, so they can run around and make new friends.” Here are tips to prepare for any adventure with your cat and dog. #1:...

The Benefits of Pet Dental X-rays
Images help us look deeper, below the gum line

Feb 7, 2023

Check out the Audio Version of this Post!2.5 minute read In a recent dental cleaning with Dr Tabares, x-rays showed one of our feline patient’s had baby teeth hidden behind her permanent teeth. Baby teeth that don’t fall out can do damage to the adult teeth because...

Our New Year’s Resolutions – A note from 2 pets ✏️
(5 ways to love us more in ‘23)

Dec 29, 2022

Read: 1.5 min It’s us—Juniper & Raja. You might have seen us on the Firehouse magnet. We’re Firehouse pets and official mascots. 😊 We’ve noticed this time each year that you make a list of ways to improve your life. It seems like a great idea! On behalf of your...

6 pet trends that gained popularity in the last decade
You should embrace 5 and ignore one of them

Dec 5, 2022

4 min read Firehouse turned 10 in April 2022. It’s fun to look back and see progress in animal care. Dr Stacy Mozisek at Firehouse Westlake has seen trends come and go over the last decade. She reflects on 6 ideas that gained popularity in the last decade. Here, she...

Pet-proof your holiday decor
How to keep your cats and dogs off the Naughty List

Dec 2, 2022

1 min read Decorated Christmas trees and a fully lit menorah or kinara are showstoppers. Ornaments, lights, and seasonal scents add to the festive feeling of the season. They also seem like shiny new playthings to your curious pet. When decorating your home for the...

A Feast for All Beasts
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Your Pet

Nov 4, 2022

1 min read Charlie Brown always shared Thanksgiving with Snoopy. If you plan carefully, your pets can join in on the holiday too. Some human foods are unsafe for pets. Yet, plain ingredients (or single ingredients) are fine. Avoid a Thanksgiving trip to the ER with...

Routine lab tests keep your cat or dog in their prime
We recommend the best ones below

Oct 3, 2022

1.5 min read When Patrick ate Sago Palm roots this summer, his mom knew she had to rush him to the ER. Sago Palms are toxic to dogs and most attractive (and easy to eat!) when recently dug up. Luckily, Patrick is now fine and his personality has returned to normal. ...

If You Are Facing the Loss of Your Pet
When your pet dies, we are here with answers and support

Sep 8, 2022

2min read Sean’s older cat Gracie limped with pain. She began to bump into walls and urinate in the living room. Then, when Sean’s younger cat began to groom Gracie, he realized it was time to prepare for her death. Our cats and dogs are family, so it’s...

« Older Entries

Next Entries »