Our Blog
Firehouse is committed to keeping your pet happy and healthy while preventing disease.
Head off a heat emergency
If your pet has heatstroke, stay cool and take these steps
1.5 min read Watch your pet for signs of overheating when outdoors. If you notice them staggering, becoming weak, or collapsing, contact us...
Our Careful and Common Sense Approach to Vaccines
We Customize the Plan for Your Dog and Cat
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
1 min read Maureen never realized that her senior cat named Gracie and Precious needed more help eating. Maureen wishes she’d known that her senior cats, Gracie and Precious, needed more help eating and drinking as they aged.” “We used to leave the tap dripping in...
5 ways to nurture your senior pet
Make the most of your companion’s golden years
3 min read “Senior pets are so chill and easy to please,” says Ali Alcantara, the new Hospital Manager of Firehouse Belterra. “My older dog Lito is the best. A 15-year-old Lhasa Apso, he reminds me that we’re all going to get older. Our lifestyles will change, yet we...
Ticks are Little. They Spread Big Diseases.
Protect your cat and dog with preventive medicine
2.5 min read “We recently saw a dog who had a tick deep inside the ear canal. It seemed like the pup had an ear infection,” says Dr Rob Calabrese. “After a dose of Bravecto, the tick crawled out on its own, and the dog was feeling much better. It’s common to find...
My pet ate poison. Now what?
The 5 things to do next
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...
Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth: What to Know for Cats and Dogs
It's easier than it seems!
2.5 min read Brushing is a good habit to form as part of pet dental care. It’s a nice addition to professional cleanings. While there are a lot of tricks we can teach our pets, brushing their own teeth is not one of them. Alas, this task falls to owners. Get started...
Prep for Everything This Winter: How to Protect Your Pets During Austin Cold Fronts
2 min read Dogs (and even cats!) can enjoy the snow. The cold and texture of the snow are new sensations, triggering all sorts of positive stimuli in their brains. Read the tips below if you plan to be outdoors in the snow for long periods of time. Or if Mother...
When is the Right Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
You and your vet decide together based on breed, age, and health
2 min read We wish there was a hard and fast rule when spaying or neutering your pet, but there is no perfect age. Your pet's health and breed, among other factors, determine the right time. What's the right age to spay or neuter my pet?Discuss this with your...