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

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...

Pet Care Essentials: From Spring Allergies to Summer Heat
Keep your cat and dog healthy in 2024

2.5 min readDr Brianna Armstrong has you covered with springtime tips to keep your pets healthy and happy.We asked Dr Brianna Armstrong, Medical Director at Firehouse 183, to prep us for Springtime in Central Texas. Keeping Pets Safe During the Eclipse We’re all...

Local Dog Trainer Offers Advice
Dog behavior explained: Q&A with trainer Candace Nolte

6 min readBehavior is the number one reason that dogs are returned to shelters. Candace Nolte offers tips to build a positive relationship with your 4-legged friend.Are you having dog behavioral issues? Or did you just adopt a dog and want to make them a well-mannered...

Coughing & Respiratory Issues in Dogs in 2023 and 2024
“Mystery” illness has new treatments

1 min readThe current “mystery” respiratory illness is severe. We can see you fast at our 183 and Cedar Park locations if symptoms arise.The current strain of coughing a respiratory issues in dogs isn't ordinary kennel cough. It's a prolonged cough, leading to severe...

5 Pet Questions You’re Too Shy to Ask the Vet
Candid answers to awkward cat and dog topics

2 min readThere’s no topic we’re uncomfortable with. So bring us your questions! Is your dog’s penis sticking out? Is your cat humping stuffed animals? Did your pet ingest marijuana? We’re here to answer all your questions. Doctors Rivas & Bonnet answer questions we...

Firehouse’s 4 Pillars of Care
The core beliefs that guide your pet’s care: wellness, nutrition, dental, and fear/anxiety/stress

8 min read Pets bring us immeasurable joy and companionship. Firehouse Animal Health Center’s mission is to prevent your cat, dog, and exotic pet from getting sick so they can stay by your side – healthy and happy – for as long as possible. Our care guidelines are...

Ease Your Pet’s Stiff Joints in 2024
3 tips for cold weather days

3 min read   "Before starting Librela, Dizzy wasn't using all four legs to go up and down the stairs," says Firehouse 183 Client Service Coordinator Lisa Berletch of her 8-year-old Sheltie. "She was also hesitant to jump and run at full speed." Dizzy started...

Why it is Important to Microchip Your Pet
Ensure your pet is findable in 2024

3 min read   “Last Thanksgiving, a senior chihuahua found her way into my grandma’s backyard,” says Alix, a Veterinary Technician at Firehouse Round Rock. “It was cold and rainy. Thankfully, we saw her quickly and brought her inside to warm her up.  "I took her to...

Why Do Cats Knead? 
Here’s why cats “make biscuits.”

3 min read “Simply put, kneading brings cats peace and comfort,” says Georgie Chadwick, Hospital Manager at Firehouse Westlake.  Kneading is when cats rhythmically push their paws against a soft surface, often with a kneading motion like the way dough is kneaded.   A...

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

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,...
Firehouse Makes An Impact Through Giving

Firehouse Makes An Impact Through Giving

Dr Justin Nelson at Firehouse Belterra (pre-COVID) helping a pet from WAG Shelter.Our charitable giving and community involvement reflect a deeply rooted commitment to lifelong wellness for animals that extends beyond the walls of our hospitals. When we launched...

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Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September

Firehouse Pet Resort – coming to Round Rock this September – will offer your cats and dogs an abundance of bells and whistles The team at Firehouse Animal Health Centers will offer your pets a new service starting this September: boarding and daycare for cats and...

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Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

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...

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Firehouse Now Carries CBD Chews and Oils for Your Pets

Firehouse Now Carries CBD Chews and Oils for Your Pets

Firehouse is now offering our clients CBD products that are proven to work and are safe for your pets. We’ve found the CBD industry to be a bit wild since it’s unregulated, with many players developing their own concoctions that could have inconsistencies from one...

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Summertime Tips

Summertime Tips

Summertime in Texas -- A great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s boating on one of our lakes, hiking along the Greenbelt, or road tripping, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for...

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Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Updated April 2, 2020: We've brought you the good news that your pet cannot transmit COVID-19 or become sick with it. And you're likely getting more snuggles in these days. So we hope you're hanging in there! Our team pulled together their go-to "tips and tricks" to...

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Jessie’s Story

Jessie’s Story

A ten-year-old stray dog goes from shelter pet to best sister ever Earlier this year, Austin Animal Center brought Jessie to Firehouse Westlake. Jessie is a ten-year-old stray who was found on the streets of Austin and in desperate need of some healthcare. When we did...

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