Our Blog

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...

Firehouse Makes an Impact Through Giving

Aug 11, 2020

Firehouse Animal Health Center’s charitable giving reflects a commitment to lifelong wellness for animals. When she launched the business late last year, Dr Beth Spencer decided that Firehouse would play a key role in Central Texas’s collective effort to elevate the...

Pets and Pet Parents: Fear the Vet No More

Jul 13, 2020

We use Fear Free® calming methods at Firehouse. We thought we’d take a moment to explain more about these tactics so you can see how they benefit your cat or dog. You might hear us talking about “Fear Free®” a lot at Firehouse. That’s because we’ve found that these...

Summer Travel Tips

Jun 1, 2020

Summer in Central Texas is a great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer! Whether it’s hiking, enjoying farmer’s markets or road trips, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for your dogs and cats. Road...

Summertime Tips

May 27, 2020

Summertime in Texas — A great time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer!Whether it’s boating on one of our lakes, hiking along the Greenbelt, or road tripping, Firehouse Animal Health Center has you covered on health and safety tips for...

Firehouse turns 6 months!

May 19, 2020

Time flies when you’re having fun! As Firehouse Animal Health Center rounds out our 6-month anniversary, we wanted to say thank you to our wonderful clients and neighbors for making us feel welcome. We know you have many veterinarians to choose from in the area, and...

Fun Things To Do During Coronavirus

Apr 6, 2020

We've brought you the good news that  your pet cannot transmit COVID-19 or become sick with it. And you're likely getting more snuggles in these days. So we hope you're hanging in there! Our team pulled together their go-to "tips and tricks" to help you get through...

Pets Cannot Transmit or Contract COVID-19

Mar 9, 2020

Updated as of 5pm Central Time on April 6th, 2020: Are you open? Yes! We are open and here for you and your pets. What if I'm sick or feel uncomfortable coming in? -No problem! If your pet needs services and you are sick, please call us and we'll walk you through your...

Tips for brushing your puppy, kitten or full-grown pet’s teeth

Jan 23, 2020

An annual professional dental cleaning is truly the only way to keep pets’ teeth healthy.-Bacteria that form on your pet’s teeth can create heart disease and joint problems. Diabetic patients have more (and worse) dental disease.-Professional cleanings prevent and...

Adding a New Pet to the Family

Jan 13, 2020

Did you recently add a new member to the family? Congratulations! We know that this is an exciting time, but there is a lot to do and adjustments to make sure your pet is happy and healthy. So, what are the next steps? Dr. Alex Robb, veterinarian at Firehouse says. “A...

« Older Entries

Next Entries »