Our Blog

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

Blue-Green Algae Risks for Dogs
Check water conditions to keep your dog safe

3 minute readBlue-green algae is a year-round growth found in Austin waterways. It produces a dangerous toxin that can be deadly to dogs. Please read below to keep your pet safe.Dr Natalie Davis recalls the scary day her dog Dakota got sick after they spent the...

New Dog Owners: Avoid Canine Parvovirus
A guide for pet parents of puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs

3 minute readParvovirus is something we’ll be battling forever,” says Dr Davis. “But we have great preventive measures.“We did gold standard of care, and little Bean turned the corner,” says Dr Davis, one of our veterinarians at Firehouse 183. “And (she) ended up...

Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners
How to plan & what to pack for floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and more

3 minute readEnsure your pet’s safety by getting them microchipped. A microchip with up-to-date information greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet if they become lost, especially during emergencies or natural disasters.Natural disasters like...

Heartworm Prevention: A Lifesaver for Pets
Avoid this painful (and potentially fatal) disease with meds

4 minute readWhen a mosquito bites an animal with heartworm disease, they transfer the disease to the next animal they bite.In vet school, Dr Natalie Davis’s roommate adopted an adorable German Shepherd puppy named Winnie. At Winnie’s first puppy visit, the...

Grain-Free Dog Food: It’s Hurting Your Dog’s Heart!
We have safer nutritional recommendations so your pet thrives

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....

Cici’s Journey: From Shelter to Home
A tiny kitten's resilience brings love full circle

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 eases burdens for local families
Season for Caring: Firehouse’s 8th Year

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...

Garden Mushrooms Can Harm Dogs & Outdoor Cats
Tips to protect your pet after rainfall

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...

Worried About Your Cat Not Eating? Call Your Vet ASAP
Important information for pet owners

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...
Firehouse Westlake Turns 7!

Firehouse Westlake Turns 7!

As the original Firehouse Austin location turns seven this week, Dr. John Faught reflects on the changes and growth over the last seven years. We love our clients and our patients One thing I'm most blown away by is the amazing growth this hospital has sustained. When...

read more
Pet Dental Care — It’s not just about the pearly whites!

Pet Dental Care — It’s not just about the pearly whites!

Did you know that many diseases can be traced back to bacteria that begins on the surface of a tooth? Diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems have all been linked back to dirty teeth in cats and dogs. At Firehouse, we urge our clients to bring pets to us once a...

read more
Firehouse Philanthropy

Firehouse Philanthropy

At Firehouse, we're dedicated to improving the lives of pets all around Central Texas. And we don't limit our philanthropy to the holiday season – we give back all year round. As shelters need medical services for their pets, we happily help out. This way, the dogs...

read more
Having a Safe & Fear Free Holiday with your Pet

Having a Safe & Fear Free Holiday with your Pet

The holidays can be stressful for humans, but what about our pets? October is a good time to find ways to reduce your pet’s fear, stress, and anxiety from Halloween through New Year’s. When your dog or cat is less anxious, you’ll have more fun, too! During...

read more
Firehouse Is Offering A New Heartworm Preventative

Firehouse Is Offering A New Heartworm Preventative

Do you have trouble remembering to give those monthly heartworm pills to your pet? Firehouse Animal Health Center is now offering ProHeart 6, an injectable heartworm preventative that lasts 6 months. Because ProHeart 6 offers 6 months of prevention, it’s one less...

read more
Every Geriatric Pet Should Have an Abdominal Ultrasound

Every Geriatric Pet Should Have an Abdominal Ultrasound

Veterinary medicine has come a long way over the last few decades. We used to spend our days (and still do) putting out fires all day and practicing reactive medicine. But what if you could prevent the fires before they ever started? Or, at least, catch it early...

read more
Introducing Your Pups to Your Newborn

Introducing Your Pups to Your Newborn

Dogs are often a couple’s “first child” and are treated as members of the family. When the family grows and parents welcome their first human baby, a bit of prep work can make all the difference for furry friends. Dr. Adri Mendoza of Firehouse Animal Health Center...

read more
How Do I Find a Great Veterinarian?

How Do I Find a Great Veterinarian?

We all dread the day that our beloved 4 legged friends get sick and need to go to the vet. That can be an extremely stressful time. If and when that time comes, you want to know you are at the right place. But how do you really know if you have found the best place...

read more
Translate »