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

Firehouse: Caring for Families & Their Pets
Supporting Austin’s underserved families with pet care

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: A Danger To Pets
Keep your dog or outdoor cat safe after it rains

3 minute read Dogs (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...

Spotting Ear Infections in Pets
Recognize the signs and learn treatments for cats and dogs

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...

Cat Skipping Meals? Here’s What To Know
Guidance for pet parents on next steps

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 Not Eating? Here’s What You Need to Know.
The causes and when it’s time to call the vet

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...

Help! My Pet Vomited. What’s Next?
Quick tips for a sick 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....

What’s the right amount of exercise for your pet?
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
Dr Sherry Hill, Medical Director of Firehouse Cedar Park, and Dr Kristen Ussery offer their advice

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...

Furry Friends: What Their Quirky Habits Mean
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...

A Guide: Vaccinations for Cats and Dogs
Our careful, common sense approach. Customized for your pet.

3.5 minute read Firehouse customizes immunization plans for each pet. We’ll chat at your pet’s yearly check-up. Then, we recommend only the vaccines your pet needs based on your lifestyle and environment. Our advice is conservative and based on common sense. Vaccines...

Cats and dogs hate New Year’s Eve fireworks
Your pet’s ears are sensitive to sound

Nov 30, 2023

Loud bangs and pops scare pets and can make even the most well-behaved pet misbehave or run away. We have tips.Bruno is one of the few cats who doesn't scare easily during New Year’s Eve and July 4th fireworks. “When I first adopted Bruno,” says Dr Sherry Hill,...

Blood Sugar Problems in Pets
Our fur babies can get diabetes, too

Oct 26, 2023

7.5 min read Luna's unusual lethargy and unquenchable thirst worried her parents. Our team confirmed diabetes. We helped Luna’s family move her onto a controlled diet and insulin regimen. Her playful spirit has returned at home and when she visits Firehouse Leander....

Ensuring the safety of your deaf dog
Safety guidelines for pet owners with deaf or hard-of-hearing animals

Aug 31, 2023

Franklin’s family realized he was hard of hearing soon after they adopted him. “We learned he might have hearing issues when he was just a puppy,” says Katie, Franklin’s mom.

Why does my dog eat grass?
The top 7 explanations you need

Aug 25, 2023

3 min read Milo is a 6-month-old mini Bernadoodle who really likes to chew on grass in his mom’s lawn. “I think Milo eats grass for...

When should you spay or neuter your kitten?
Research shows cats stay healthiest when procedure is completed by 5 months

Aug 2, 2023

We first reported new recommendations for spaying and neutering cats by 5 months in January 2021. We continue to support these guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Research shows the...

Pet Health Questions? Don’t Jump to Dr Google.
Always Ask Your Vet's Advice

Aug 1, 2023

2 min read We hear this all the time: garlic can help prevent ticks. This isn’t true, but Google search keeps pulling up the article and spewing bad advice. Have you ever looked up advice online? Many pet owners turn to the internet for help when it comes to their...

Missing Furry Friend? Reunite in Just 4 Easy Steps
Locate Your Missing Feline or Canine Companion with These Handy Tips

Jun 27, 2023

2 min read More pets go missing during July 4th fireworks celebrations than at any other time of the year. The loud bangs and pops scare both dogs and cats. We’ve written tips to help pets feel safe and secure during Independence Day festivities. In this blog,...

Is Your Cat Stressed Out? 3 Signs of a Seriously Anxious Cat
Call your vet if your cat does these things

Apr 7, 2023

4 min read “Not all babies and cats get along so well,” says Dr Adriana Mendoza, Medical Director at Firehouse Leander. “But these two have been best friends from the start. Tate, a Texas Humane Heroes rescue, is older and calmer. A new baby didn’t give him anxiety....

Vacationing with Your Cat or Dog in 2023
Travel tips for your pet

Mar 1, 2023

3 min read “Scamp is a model citizen when we go camping,” says Deanna, a vet tech at Firehouse Leander. “He sleeps in the tent without any issues.” Here are tips to prepare for any adventure with your cat and dog. #1: 3-6 months before travel Follow booking...

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