Our Blog

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

Pet Safety During Natural Disasters
Stay calm with our tips for evacuations, hotel stays, and returning home

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 Disease: Every Pet Owner Needs These Tips
Prevention is the best defense against this silent threat

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...

The Grain-Free Pet Food Trend: It’s Dangerous for Your Dog’s Heart Health
Dogs should stick to traditional, carbohydrate-based diets to avoid heart issues

3 minute read Seemingly 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....

Love at First Purr: Cici’s Story
Dr Davies’ family (and Firehouse Round Rock team!) found the ultimate Valentine in Cici

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: Caring for Families & Their Pets
Supporting Austin’s underserved families with pet care

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: A Danger To Pets
Keep your dog or outdoor cat safe after it rains

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...

Spotting Ear Infections in Pets
Recognize the signs and learn treatments for cats and dogs

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...

Cat Skipping Meals? Here’s What To Know
Guidance for pet parents on next steps

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...

Dog Not Eating? Here’s What You Need to Know.
The causes and when it’s time 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...

Help! My Pet Vomited. What’s Next?
Quick tips for a sick cat or dog

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....
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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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What Happens in the Back?

What Happens in the Back?

“I don’t want you to take my pet in the back.” As veterinarians, we occasionally hear that statement. For every time we hear it said aloud, I assume there are five or ten others that feel that way but don’t feel comfortable enough to share. Most veterinarians will...

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End of Life Care At Firehouse Animal Health Austin

End of Life Care At Firehouse Animal Health Austin

When people find out I am a veterinarian, there is one very common response that comes back. “I just couldn’t deal with euthanizing pets.” I have always thought that to be a strange response. I understand why they say it, but I never looked at Veterinary Medicine as...

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