Fitzgerald Animal Hospital

09/18/2026

Fitzgerald Animal Hospital is looking for a Kennel Technician to join our team! 🐶🐱

09/08/2026

With the recent rabies-positive dog reported in our area, we want to remind everyone that rabies is not something to take lightly. While cases in domestic animals are uncommon, rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both animals AND people

You may ask “Why is this important for me?”

The virus is most commonly transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite wound, when saliva or infectious material comes into contact with that wound or mucous membrane. Once clinical signs develop, rabies can be fatal to humans and animals. If you are bit, please seek medical care. Rabies is preventable after exposure when appropriate treatment is started promptly

Do not pet or touch any wild animals. Please be cautious of abnormal behavior such as a typically nocturnal animal that is out during the day time, excessive salivation, and aggression.
Animals that are of greatest concern are:
~Bats
~Foxes
~Coyotes
~Racoons
Remember: ANY MAMMAL can contract rabies. An animal doesn't have to be a traditionally "dangerous" species to pose a risk

Rabies vaccination is REQUIRED by Louisiana law.

Under the Louisiana Sanitary Code, dogs and cats over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and kept current on their rabies vaccination. Depending on the vaccine used, revaccination is required annually or every three years.

A simple vaccine can help protect your pet, your family, and your community.

08/18/2026

☀️ EXTREME HEAT WARNING FOR OUR PETS! ☀️

Central Louisiana is facing a dangerous stretch of extreme heat, with temperatures and heat indexes reaching 110°F or higher in some areas.
While we may be able to tolerate a quick trip outside, our pets can overheat much faster than we do. Please take extra precautions this week!

SAFTEY
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible. During extreme heat, outside time should be limited to short potty breaks—no more than 10–15 minutes at a time, and even less if your pet is struggling
• Shade and water are important, however they do NOT make extreme temperatures safe.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water and check their bowls frequently.
• If your pet must be outside, make sure they have access to shade and good airflow.
• Avoid hot pavement, concrete, and asphalt. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. If you have no options but pavement, doggy shoes can help!
• Save walks and exercise for the early morning or later evening, when temperatures are lower—and keep activity gentle.
• NEVER leave your pet in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Vehicles can become dangerously hot extremely quickly.
• Remember that puppies, senior pets, overweight pets, flat-faced breeds, and pets with heart or respiratory problems are at even greater risk.

SPECIAL HEAT WARNING FOR OUR SHORT-NOSED BREEDS

If you have a French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Boxer, or another brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed, please take extra precautions during this extreme heat!
- Flat-faced dogs are at a much higher risk of overheating and heatstroke because their shortened airways can make it more difficult to breathe and effectively cool themselves through panting.

During this heat wave:
• Keep your brachycephalic dog indoors in the air conditioning as much as possible.
• Do not leave them outside unattended, even if they have shade and water.
• Avoid walks, running, playing, or other strenuous activity during the heat of the day.

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE:

- Heavy or excessive panting, excessive drooling, weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, bright/dark red gums, stumbling, confusion, collapse, or seizures are all reasons for concern.
- Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them into a cool environment immediately and contact a veterinarian for guidance. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe.

When in doubt, keep them inside.
They may be disappointed that they can't enjoy their usual backyard time, but we'd much rather have a bored pet inside than a pet suffering from heatstroke.
Please share this post with your fellow pet parents!

Let's keep our Louisiana pets safe through this heat wave.

06/30/2026

Please note that our clinic will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of the holiday weekend. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable celebration with family, friends, and furry companions!

—Did You Know?

Many pets experience anxiety during fireworks because their hearing is much more sensitive than ours. Dogs can hear sounds up to four times farther away than humans, and the loud booms, flashing lights, and unfamiliar smells can make even the calmest pets feel frightened.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help your pet!
- Keep them indoors in a quiet, secure room.
- Use a lightly weighted blanket or weighted vest specifically made for your pet
- Offer a favorite toy, puzzle, or treat to provide a positive distraction.
- Make sure collars and ID tags are up to date, and microchips are properly registered and updated in case they become startled and try to escape

! PLEASE NOTE !
If your pet has a history of firework anxiety and may need medication to help them stay calm, please contact us as soon as possible to have prescriptions filled before the holiday. Waiting until the last minute may make it difficult to ensure your pet has what they need before we close.

We wish you and your pets a happy, safe, and stress-free Fourth of July weekend! 🇺🇸🐶🐱

03/30/2026

Good Afternoon! We are closed this Friday April 3rd! Everyone have a Happy Easter 🐣🐇

01/26/2026

Due to snowy and icy conditions, our opening will be delayed until 9:00 a.m., and we will operate with essential services only. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we ensure the safety of our staff and community.

01/23/2026

We had some cute little dolls take over our phone and microscope! Our staff got creative today and did some fun arts and crafts, Aren’t those gloves dolls adorable?! What should we name them?

01/16/2026

Just a Reminder!

📢 Hours Update For Our Clients 📢

Starting February 2nd, Fitzgerald Animal Hospital’s business hours are changing! We will now be opening 30 minutes after our original start time, from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

Please note that boarding,bathing,and surgical operations will continue as usual, just with adjusted start times to align with our new service hours

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (318) 445-6428

Thank you for your continued support of our staff! We look forward to caring for your new pets during our new hours!

01/09/2026

📢 Hours Update For Our Clients 📢

Starting February 2nd, Fitzgerald Animal Hospital’s business hours are changing! We will now be opening 30 minutes after our original start time, from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

Please note that boarding,bathing,and surgical operations will continue as usual, just with adjusted start times to align with our new service hours

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (318) 445-6428

Thank you for your continued support of our staff! We look forward to caring for your new pets during our new hours!

12/28/2025

Our office will be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day so our team can celebrate the holiday. We’ll reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Thank you for your support, and we wish you a safe and happy New Year! 🎉