Hill Country Animal Emergency Hospital

08/03/2026

🦔 The porcupines are STILL out... and this family of NINE (You read that right, NINE) found themselves on the wrong side of the fight.

Curiosity must have gotten the best of these pups, and before long they were covered in quills after an encounter with a porcupine.

The family was brought in quickly and our staff got right to work on getting them evaluated and treated prior to releasing them back into the loving arms of their family, and hopefully not into another member of the wildlife community.

⚠️ If your pet is quilled:
• Don't try to pull the quills at home.
• Don't cut the quills—they do not "deflate," and cutting them only makes removal more difficult.
• Prevent your pet from pawing at their face or rubbing against the ground.
• Seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

If your pet has an unexpected wildlife encounter, our team is here to help. 💙🐾

08/03/2026

🐈 National Cat Day is almost here! 🐈
Join us August 8th as we celebrate the cats who fill our homes—and our hearts. 💙

If you've visited Hill Country Animal Emergency Hospital after our remodel, you may have noticed all of the new photographs hanging throughout our clinic. Those aren't stock photos—they're our team's own pets.

Every cat, and dog, that you see on our walls has a story, a family, and someone on our team who loves them deeply. They remind us every day why we chose this profession.

At HCAEH, we understand that pets are so much more than animals. They're companions, comfort, family, and some of life's greatest adventures. The bond between people and their four-legged family members is something we have the privilege of witnessing every single day, and it's a bond we never take for granted.

This National Cat Day, we'll be sharing a few of the feline faces that make our team smile when we walk through the door after a long shift. We hope you'll celebrate with us by sharing a photo of your own favorite feline in the comments! 🐾

Because caring for pets starts with loving them. ❤️

Happy National Cat Day from all of us at Hill Country Animal Emergency Hospital!

07/21/2026

🐾 Could a Small Wound Become a Big Emergency?

With recent reports of New World screwworm moving closer to the Hill Country, it's a good time for our community to know what to watch for.

Unlike common maggots that feed on dead tissue, the New World screwworm larvae feed on healthy, living tissue. They are attracted to open wounds (yes, even small cuts, surgical incisions, tick bite sites, or other skin injuries) and can cause severe damage in a short amount of time if left untreated.

To BEST Help Protect Your Pet

✔ Check your pet regularly for cuts, scrapes, or other wounds.
✔ Keep wounds clean and monitor them closely.
✔ Prevent your pet from roaming in areas where injuries are more likely to occur.
✔ Stay current on parasite prevention and follow your veterinarian's recommendations.

Know the Warning Signs

🚨 A wound that suddenly becomes larger or more painful
🚨 Foul odor or unusual discharge
🚨 Visible movement within a wound
🚨 Excessive licking, chewing, or scratching at one area
🚨 Swelling, redness, or tissue damage that seems to worsen quickly

If you notice any of these signs, don't wait. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing extensive tissue damage and improving your pet's outcome.

Hill Country Animal Emergency Hospital, is here to evaluate wounds, provide emergency treatment, and answer your questions if you're concerned your pet may need immediate care.

Early intervention can make all the difference, let us help identify and treat

07/15/2026

⚠️ Community Update ⚠️

With the Flash Flood Emergency impacting Boerne and surrounding areas, our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's severe weather. Please stay safe and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The National Weather Service has warned of life-threatening flash flooding, with multiple road closures and water rescues already underway.

💙 Hill Country Animal Emergency Hospital remains OPEN and our team is here to provide emergency care for your pets if you need us.

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, please travel only if it is safe to do so. If roads are flooded, wait until conditions improve or call us so we can help you determine the safest course of action.
Please stay safe, look out for one another, and give your pets a little extra love today.

07/13/2026

💙 Employee Spotlight – Eilleen 💙
For Eilleen, veterinary medicine wasn't just a career choice—it was a calling.

Four years ago, while volunteering at the San Antonio Humane Society, she realized she'd rather spend her days helping animals in need than working the job she already loved. That's when she knew she had found where she belonged.

Today, Eilleen brings that same compassion to every patient she cares for, especially those who need it most.
One of her proudest moments was successfully placing a nasogastric (NG) tube in a patient named Lily. That experience not only strengthened her technical skills, but also led to a lasting relationship with Lily's family. "One of my favorite parts of this job is building trust with our clients. We care about the people just as much as we care about their pets."

Outside of the hospital, Eilleen is a full-time college student currently applying to veterinary school while working full time at HCAEH. When she's not studying, you'll usually find her spending time with her two rescue Great Danes, Harley and Moose, reading a good book, playing video games, or relaxing with family.

Her message to pet owners is simple:
"We know how much your pets mean to you because we feel the same way about ours. We're here to help, not judge, and we truly want what's best for your pet." 💙🐾

Thank you, Eilleen, for your compassion, dedication, and the heart you bring to every patient and family who walks through our doors.

07/07/2026

Good Afternoon; Could this fella be yours?

This lovely gentlemen chose to grace us with his presence today, however, did not do so for long.

We are located at 826 Johns Road in Boerne Texas and are rather close to IH10. While we were unable to catch the young man, he has been confirmed to have traveled towards town on Johns Road and away from the majority of traffic.

Male, black and white, Mixed Breed with a red collar.

07/04/2026

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from all of us at HCAEH! ❤️🤍💙

“May your hotdogs be grilled, and your dachshunds don’t go after fireworks!” 🌭🐾😂

While you’re celebrating, don’t forget that the 4th can be one of the most stressful days of the year for our pets.

🐶 A few holiday reminders:
🎆 Keep pets indoors during fireworks, even if they’ve never been bothered before.
🆔 Make sure collars and ID tags are secure, and double-check that microchip information is up to date.
🌡️ Avoid the midday heat and always provide plenty of fresh water and shade.
🧨 If your pet struggles with anxiety, prepare ahead of time with a quiet, safe space and any medications your veterinarian has prescribed.

🐾 If you find a lost dog:
Please keep them somewhere safe and secure if you’re able. Check for an ID tag, and post them to local community pages to help reunite them with their family. The number of lost pets spikes every Independence Day.

🚨 Need us? We’re here.
HCAEH is open 24 hours a day through Monday at 8:00 AM to care for any emergency that comes our way.

We hope you have a safe, fun, and memorable Independence Day with your family—including the four-legged ones! ❤️💙🐾

06/25/2026

Texas Hill Country summers can be tough on our pets.
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Every summer, we treat pets suffering from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and it can happen much faster than many people realize.

Unlike us, dogs and cats can't cool themselves efficiently. Once their body temperature rises too high, heat stroke can quickly become a life-threatening emergency.

🚨 Watch for these warning signs:
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Bright red or pale gums
• Weakness or stumbling
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Collapse or unresponsiveness

Help keep your pet safe:
Provide plenty of fresh water.
Make sure shade is always available.
Walk during the cooler parts of the day.
Check the pavement before every walk.
Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle.

If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them to a cool area, and seek veterinary care immediately.

Heat stroke is a true emergency. Early treatment can save lives. If you have concerns, don't wait; your pet's best chance for recovery starts with a quick response. 💙🐾

06/08/2026

🩻 “Can’t you tell from just one x-ray?”

We wish it were that simple sometimes — but in veterinary medicine, one image rarely tells the whole story.

Radiographs help us look beyond what we can see on the outside. From broken bones and pneumonia to foreign bodies and abdominal emergencies, x-rays give us critical information when pets can’t tell us what hurts.

So why do we take three images?

Because different angles show us different things. An issue hidden on one view may become obvious on another. Multiple radiographs allow us to evaluate depth, positioning, and detail much more accurately — helping us avoid missing something important.

🩻 Three-view radiographs help us:
• Identify injuries and abnormalities more accurately
• Better evaluate the chest and abdomen
• Determine the size and location of concerns
• Build safer, more effective treatment plans

In emergency medicine, small details can change everything — and radiographs are one of the most important tools we have to help guide patient care quickly and safely. 💙