Our Blog

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

🎃 Fear Free Costume Tips for Pets

Halloween decorations and costumes can be fun, but they may also pose risks for pets. Keep cords, candles, and small decorations (such as glow sticks, plastic spiders, or miniature skeletons) out of reach, and be sure your pet’s costume is comfortable and safe. 1....

Adventure Ready: 5 Safety Tips for Hiking and Camping With Pets

Make sure to pack caution in your travel bag with these top 5 trail tips from Firehouse Animal Health Centers!#1: Plan with weather and terrain in mind Research trail conditions, difficulty level, elevation, and expected weather before you plan your trip. Be prepared...

5 Ways to Support Pets With Separation Anxiety

Dogs and cats are naturally social creatures who thrive on the comfort and connection of their owners. While it’s normal for pets—and even pet parents—to feel a little uneasy during time apart, some dogs and cats experience severe emotional distress. Separation...

Protect Your Dog from Blue-Green Algae in Central Texas Waterways
Tips to avoid toxic exposure in local lakes and rivers

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...

Prevent Life-Threatening Canine Parvovirus
Your puppy (or adult dog) needs to be vaccinated against this disease

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...

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...

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.”...

My pet ate poison. Now what?
The 5 things to do next

Mar 4, 2022

1 min read If you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have eaten, don’t panic. Many pets eat toxins. We won’t judge you over the item or substance. Life happens. We’re here to help. Step 1: Find the packaging. It helps to have the product packaging so...

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth: What to Know for Cats and Dogs
It's easier than it seems!

Feb 4, 2022

2.5 min read Brushing is a good habit to form as part of pet dental care. It’s a nice addition to professional cleanings. While there are a lot of tricks we can teach our pets, brushing their own teeth is not one of them. Alas, this task falls to owners. Get started...

Prep for Everything This Winter: How to Protect Your Pets During Austin Cold Fronts

Jan 5, 2022

2 min read Dogs (and even cats!) can enjoy the snow. The cold and texture of the snow are new sensations, triggering all sorts of positive stimuli in their brains. Read the tips below if you plan to be outdoors in the snow for long periods of time. Or if Mother...

When is the Right Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
You and your vet decide together based on breed, age, and health

Dec 6, 2021

2 min read We wish there was a hard and fast rule when spaying or neutering your pet, but there is no perfect age. Your pet's health and breed, among other factors, determine the right time. What's the right age to spay or neuter my pet?Discuss this with your...

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