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...

Non-anesthetic dental procedures don’t work
Anesthesia is safe and provides your pet with a stress-free and pain-free cleaning.

Feb 9, 2021

Cats and dogs won't sit still for a dental cleaning. Anesthesia is the only way a vet can remove disease-causing bacteria from your pet’s teeth and gums.Recently, we’ve seen non-anesthetic dental procedures promoted for pets. Don’t believe the hype. These providers...

New guidelines: Fix your cat by 5 months of age
Cats can live longer when spayed or neutered earlier

Jan 12, 2021

Raj the cat might look a bit nervous, but really Feline Fix by 5 is a more humane option: It reduces disease, improves behavior and controls unwanted cat populations.Research indicates a decrease in cancer, behavioral issues, overpopulation, and infections when cats...

Cats and dogs may not love fireworks as much we do
Your pet’s ears are sensitive to sound

Dec 17, 2020

Dr Beth Spencer and her dogs, Mobi and Brownie, who will enjoy New Year’s Eve together this year!Loud bangs and pops scare pets and can make a normally well-behaved pet misbehave or run away. Celebrations can be stress-free if you plan ahead. Consider your pet as you...

Nourish Your Pet with the Best Diet

Nov 3, 2020

You are what you eat! The saying is true for pets, too. Good nutrition is one of the most important things you can do to help your pet live a happy, healthy, and long life. That’s why we discuss what you feed your pet at every visit.Small tweaks to diet and lifestyle...

Your Pets Can Live Better Lives
Catch disease early or prevent it entirely with annual wellness check-ups.

Oct 5, 2020

The Focus at Firehouse is Prevention We aim to keep your pet well for as many years as possible Everything we do is focused on your cat or dog's long-term wellness. We aim to prevent disease through annual wellness check-ups. That is why we recommend assessing your...

Take a page out of the new schooling playbook for dogs!

Sep 9, 2020

Kids might be in virtual classes, but that doesn't mean dogs need to stay home.While this back to school looks different than past years, one thing hasn’t changed and that is the excitement of socializing and seeing your buddies. Much like kids, dogs are social...

Firehouse Makes an Impact Through Giving

Aug 11, 2020

Firehouse Animal Health Center’s charitable giving reflects a commitment to lifelong wellness for animals. When she launched the business late last year, Dr Beth Spencer decided that Firehouse would play a key role in Central Texas’s collective effort to elevate the...

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Jul 13, 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...

Summer Travel Tips

Jun 1, 2020

Summer in Central Texas is a great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s hiking, enjoying farmer’s markets or road trips, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for your dogs and cats. Road...

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