Our Blog

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

Blue-Green Algae Can Cause Death for Dogs
Check the status of this toxin before enjoying waterways with your dog

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...

Protect Your Puppy from Canine Parvovirus
Every puppy & dog parent needs to know these basics

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...

Natural Disaster Preparedness for Families with Pets
Keep your cats and dogs safe in wildfires, floods, 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 for Dogs & Cats
Monthly prevention is the key to avoiding this painful (and deadly) disease

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 Foods Aren’t Healthy for Dogs
Studies Show these diets actually harm a dog’s heart

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....

A Purr-fect Love Story for Valentine’s Day
How a blind kitten found love, warmth, and family

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...

Protect Your Pets from Coyotes, Bobcats, and Owls
Keep cats & dogs safe from local predators

3 minute readIt’s important to protect cats and dogs from local wildlife who might see our pets as a tasty meal, especially at night. Dr Natalie Davis has a friend who protects her Yorkie from the local hawk population with a spiked vest. “The spikes will deter...

Giving Back: Firehouse’s Season of Care
Ensuring pets receive essential medical services

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 Are Toxic to Dogs (And Outdoor Cats)
You can help your pet: recognize and prevent exposure after rainfall

3 minute readDogs (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...

Introducing Firehouse Animal Health Center

Sep 11, 2019

Hello, Central Texas! I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of Firehouse Animal Health Center this November near the corner of Broadway and Alameda. As a Central Texas local for 18 years, I’m eager to run my own hospital. I have always cultivated the kind of experience...

Dogs and cats get skin cancer, too.

May 10, 2019

The sun is strong and Central Texans need to protect their skin and their pets’ skin, too. Yes, dogs and cats can get skin cancer. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, we want to share the two kinds of skin cancer in pets you need to be aware of. Below you’ll...

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