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

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...

4 Halloween Treats to Keep Away from Your Pet

2 minute readStaying safe on Halloween doesn’t need to be tricky. Celebrate the spookiest night of the year by keeping your pet away from these hazards: #1: Candy bags and wrappers Bags and wrappers can be as dangerous to your pet as the treats they contain. Plastic...

Next Steps When Your Cat Stops Eating
Call the vet! Plus, more advice from your Firehouse veterinarians.

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...

When should you spay or neuter your kitten?
Research shows cats stay healthiest when procedure is completed by 5 months

Aug 1, 2023

We first reported new recommendations for spaying and neutering cats by 5 months in January 2021. We continue to support these guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Research shows the...

Avoid Dr Google: Don’t Be Misled
Vet Consultation is Always Recommended

Aug 1, 2023

2 min read “When I was 18, my first pet Bella was scooting and licking her butt a lot, says Hope Amidon, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Westlake. “I was concerned and Googled for answers. I was told it was anal gland/butt cancer. Google told me my pet was dying. Luckily,...

Lost Your Beloved Pet?
4 Ideas to Find Your Lost Cat or Dog

Jun 27, 2023

2 min read More pets go missing during July 4th fireworks celebrations than at any other time of the year. The loud bangs and pops scare both dogs and cats. We’ve written tips to help pets feel safe and secure during Independence Day festivities. In this blog,...

Essential Pet Safety Tips for Boating and Lakes
How Planning Reduces Accidents

Jun 1, 2023

2 min read Our team has pulled together 5 boating and lake safety tips for fun summer days with your pet. 5 tips to enjoy summer with pet safety in mind: #1: Fit your pet for a life jacket New-to-the-water dogs should have one! And pups who are excellent swimmers...

Reasons Why Your Should Microchip Your Pet
Ensure your pet is findable in 2024

Apr 27, 2023

3 min read “I lost my sweet cat, Gerald, on a rainy day in January of 2022,” says Devin, a Client Services Coordinator at Firehouse Westlake. “We had just moved to Austin from Oregon. I put the cats in the guest room while the movers were placing our furniture. "I...

3 Signs Your Cat is Stressed
How to eliminate as much stress as you can

Apr 7, 2023

4 min read “I have a 2-year-old cat named Jasmine who travels everywhere with me, which has its difficulties,” says Aubra Mizelle, a Vet Tech at Firehouse Westlake. “Like most cats, Jasmine didn’t love being in the car at first. She would get very stressed. To help...

2023 Travel Tips for Pet Owners
How to vacation with your cat and dog

Mar 1, 2023

3 min read “My dogs and I love to travel to Lubbock, TX to visit my family,” says Savannah. “We always stop at a dog-friendly gas station on the way, so they can run around and make new friends.” Here are tips to prepare for any adventure with your cat and dog. #1:...

The Benefits of Pet Dental X-rays
Images help us look deeper, below the gum line

Feb 7, 2023

Check out the Audio Version of this Post!2.5 minute read In a recent dental cleaning with Dr Tabares, x-rays showed one of our feline patient’s had baby teeth hidden behind her permanent teeth. Baby teeth that don’t fall out can do damage to the adult teeth because...

Our New Year’s Resolutions – A note from 2 pets ✏️
(5 ways to love us more in ‘23)

Dec 29, 2022

Read: 1.5 min It’s us—Juniper & Raja. You might have seen us on the Firehouse magnet. We’re Firehouse pets and official mascots. 😊 We’ve noticed this time each year that you make a list of ways to improve your life. It seems like a great idea! On behalf of your...

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