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

Season for Caring: Firehouse Gives Back
Providing medical care for pets and families

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...

Watch for Toxic Garden Mushrooms
Keep pets safe after rainy weather.

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...

What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Ear Infections
Identify the symptoms early so cats and dogs heal fast

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 Not Touching Its Food? Don’t Wait, Call Us!
Advice for pet owners when cats avoid meals

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...

My Dog Has Lost Its Appetite
Common reasons and when to visit 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...

My Pet Vomited: What Should I Do?
Essential advice for 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....

Signs and solutions for excessive exercise
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 Summer Safety Musts for Your Pets
Learn How to Have a Healthy Summer with Tips from Drs Sherry Hill and 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...

Pet Behaviors & What They Mean
Understand your cat and dog to strengthen bonds

3 min 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 Vaccines are an important piece of your pet’s wellness plan to prevent certain diseases. 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...

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,...

Diabetes in Pets: New Meds Can Help
Two new products that help you and your pet

Oct 26, 2023

7.5 min read Bella's recurring infections signaled a deeper issue. Diabetes was revealed, and her family adopted a structured care routine. Today, Bella is thriving. Her soft purr is a testament to her parent’s love. We’re so glad they brought her to Firehouse Round...

Safety strategies for living with a deaf dog
Guidelines for owners of pets with hearing impairments

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.

Grass-eating in dogs
7 possible causes you should know

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...

Can You Trust Dr Google?
Your Vet's Input Matters Most

Aug 1, 2023

2 min read “A client turned to Google after they found a bump on their pet’s stomach. Dr Google warned it could be cancer,” says Maria, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Round Rock. “Turns out it was just a nipple.” Many pet owners turn to the internet for help when it comes...

Seeking a Lost Cat or Dog?
4 Ways to Track Them Down

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,...

A Guide to Pet Safety on Boats and Lakes
Stay safe by planning ahead

Jun 1, 2023

2 min read “I bought a doggy life jacket for Mort last summer,” says Maria, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Round Rock. “I taught him to swim and then did lots of trial runs in the life jacket to ensure he was comfortable before outings to Lake Austin. I also made sure the...

The Effects of Stress on Your Cat
You know your pet best. Call us if you see strange behavior.

Apr 7, 2023

4 min read “Vayda is my oldest of 3 cats,” says Rose, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Round Rock. “She is 7-years-old and doesn’t enjoy being in the cat carrier or in the car. She vomits, urinates, and cries from stress. With the help of her doctor, we’ve found a...

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