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

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...

What to Do When Your Dog Stops Eating
Causes and when to seek veterinary advice

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...

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5 Tips for Senior Cats
Easy ways to protect your best bud

Jun 7, 2022

1 min read Your pet might become persnickety! Yet, a picky eater isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. “Something I didn’t expect is Bachan, who is 11, has increasingly become picky with food” says Alex, a CSC at Firehouse Westlake. “When it first started happening, I...

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...

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...

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

May 5, 2022

3 min read “My cat, Sid, was found many years ago living as a street cat in Brooklyn, NY where my husband lived at the time,” says Georgie Chadwick, the new Hospital Manager at Firehouse Westlake. “Sid wandered around the neighborhood, looking for food and hiding...

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

Mar 4, 2022

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...

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 stray boxer who was covered in hundreds of ticks,” says Dr Faith Weeks. “Before we started the giant task of removing all of them, we gave him a dose of Bravecto. This helps the ticks fall off on their own. We spent several hours making...

Beethoven loses a leg but finds a home
Firehouse doc adopts her patient

Mar 1, 2022

1 min read It’s the stuff of romcoms: surgeon and patient meet, bond, and fall in love. Dr Briana Armstrong at Firehouse Round Rock will adopt her cuddly St Bernard named Beethoven this month. Their whirlwind romance began in January when WILCO brought Beethoven,...

A Heartwarming Holiday Story: Gator the Puppy Finds a Home

Dec 16, 2021

2.5 min read Hello, dear readers. We have a heartwarming story to share with you. Just in time for the holidays. Grab your hot cocoa (or iced tea since it’s 75 degrees outside) and gather round. Our tale is about a pup with 2 broken legs, a winning personality, and a...

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