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

A Grain-Free Diet Is Not Good for Your Dog
Research shows this pet nutrition fad causes heart disease in dogs

3 minute readSeemingly healthy grain-free pet diets aren’t helpful to a dog's health. In fact, research shows they cause issues with the heart.“Everybody just wants what’s best for their pets,” says Dr Natalie Davis, a veterinarian at Firehouse 183 in Austin, Texas....

Blind, Brave, and Full of Love
Meet Cici, the kitten who captured our hearts

3.5 minute readCaption: Dr Rebecca Davies, Medical Director of Firehouse Round Rock…. When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion, and love. For nearly two years, Williamson County...

Firehouse Steps in To Support Pets & Their Families
Free veterinary care through the Statesman’s Season for Caring program

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...

Protect Your Pets from Garden Mushrooms
Keep dogs and outdoor cats safe in your yard and during walks

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...

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...

When Cats Stop Eating: Call Your Vet
Next steps for pet parents

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...

Help! My dog won’t eat. What now?
Causes and solutions so you know when 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...

Why Did My Pet Just Throw Up?
Practical advice for dog and cat owners

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 read Drs 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...

Keeping Your Pets Safe This Summer: Top Tips
Drs Sherry Hill and Kristen Ussery Share Expert Advice for a 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...

6 Signs Your Pet Has Allergies
Dogs suffer more often than cats

Jul 30, 2022

2 min read Beatrice’s mom worried she’d injured her back when she began walking off-kilter and licking her rear side. A visit to Firehouse Kyle confirmed the culprit was allergies. Luckily, an injection helped relieve the itchiness. And a topical ointment healed the...

Pet Allergies Happen All Year Long
Know the triggers to prevent suffering

Jul 26, 2022

1 min read Allergens are small particles that our bodies might react to. Allergens enter a pet’s body through their skin, ears, and nose. Dogs can suffer from allergies all year long. Year-round triggers include: -Environmental elements: grass, cedar, mold, pollen....

Protect Your Pup From Heat Exhaustion
Keep your cool pet from turning into a hot dog this summer

Jul 7, 2022

1.5 min read Active pets can overheat in the sun. You can enjoy summer and protect your pet from the dangers of heatstroke. “Rhett...

Head off a heat emergency
If your pet has heatstroke, stay cool and take these steps

Jul 6, 2022

1.5 min read Watch your pet for signs of overheating when outdoors. If you notice them staggering, becoming weak, or collapsing, contact...

Our Careful and Common Sense Approach to Vaccines
We Customize the Plan for Your Dog and Cat

Jun 27, 2022

3.5 minute read Firehouse customizes vaccine 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 are...

5 Tips for Senior Cats
Easy ways to protect your best bud

Jun 7, 2022

1 min read Old in years but young at heart. An older cat can be full of surprises. “I don’t know that there’s something I wish I knew before they become seniors,” says Jessica, a CSC at Firehouse Kyle. “Yet, I am constantly surprised by how resilient and playful...

5 ways to nurture your senior pet
Make the most of your companion’s golden years

May 5, 2022

3 min read “I always find that senior pets are happy to hang out and enjoy life,” says Dr Ashley Opyt, Medical Director of Firehouse Kyle (now in its new location!). “My beloved Corgi, Sam, passed away in 2021. His final years were filled with lots of walks, cuddles,...

Ticks are Little. They Spread Big Diseases.
Protect your cat and dog with preventive medicine

Apr 1, 2022

2.5 min read “I once saw a German Shephard who was covered in ticks. They had so many they were falling off of her and crawling onto the walls in the exam room,” says Dr Ashley Opyt. “We gave her a dose of Bravecto to help start killing everything attached to her and...

My pet ate poison. Now what?
The 5 things to do next

Mar 4, 2022

1 min read If you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have eaten, don’t panic. Many pets eat toxins. We won’t judge you over the item or substance. Life happens. We’re here to help. Step 1: Find the packaging. It helps to have the product packaging so...

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