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....

If You Are Facing the Loss of Your Pet
When your pet dies, we are here with answers and support

Sep 8, 2022

2min read Sean’s older cat Gracie limped with pain. She began to bump into walls and urinate in the living room. Then, when Sean’s younger cat began to groom Gracie, he realized it was time to prepare for her death. Our cats and dogs are family, so it’s heartbreaking...

6 Signs Your Pet Has Allergies
Dogs suffer more often than cats

Jul 30, 2022

2 min read 14-year-old Bogey had seasonal allergies all his life. His chronic inflammation caused his skin to itch day and night. This poor guy was suffering so much, he didn’t want to be held or touched. Bogey’s mom had tried all the medications. She was at her wits...

Pet Allergies Happen All Year Long
Know the triggers to prevent suffering

Jul 26, 2022

1 min read Allergens are small particles that our bodies might react to. Allergens enter a pet’s body through their skin, ears, and nose. Dogs can suffer from allergies all year long. Year-round triggers include: -Environmental elements: grass, cedar, mold, pollen....

Protect Your Pup From Heat Exhaustion
Keep your cool pet from turning into a hot dog this summer

Jul 7, 2022

1.5 min read Active pets can overheat in the sun. You can enjoy summer and protect your pet from the dangers of heatstroke. “One...

Head off a heat emergency
If your pet has heatstroke, stay cool and take these steps

Jul 6, 2022

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

Jun 27, 2022

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

Jun 7, 2022

1 min read Cayli never imagined her cat would end up with just one tooth. Cayli, a vet tech at Firehouse Leander, wishes she knew the importance of dental care when Midnight was young. “It wasn’t something I ever really thought about,” says Cayli. Midnight has had...

5 ways to nurture your senior pet
Make the most of your companion’s golden years

May 5, 2022

3 min read Senior pets can be as cute as their kitten counterparts. One of Dr Adriana Mendoza’s senior cats, named Sadie, “used to do the cutest little chirps in between her purrs,” says Dr Mendoza. “She was a domestic shorthair with beautiful eyes. She lived to be 14...

Ticks are Little. They Spread Big Diseases
Protect your cat and dog with preventive medicine

Apr 1, 2022

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 Adriana Mendoza. “A dose of Bravecto helped the tick crawl out on its own. It’s actually pretty common to find ticks inside the ears.”...

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