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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...

What to Know About Blue-Green Algae
Practical tips to help your dog avoid toxic water exposure

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...

Dog Owners Can Prevent Canine Parvovirus
A vaccine protects your pet against this highly contagious (and potentially deadly) 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...

Don’t Forget Your Pet When Prepping for Emergencies
Consider your dogs and cats before a fire, flood, or natural disaster

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...

Protect Your Pets from Heartworm Disease
Keep your dogs & cats healthy with a preventive med

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 Diets Are Unhealthy for Dogs
Pet food made from chickpeas, lentils, soy, and other legumes harming dogs’ hearts

3 minutes 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 Valentine Tail of Hope and Love
How one tiny kitten found health, happiness, and a forever family

3.5 minutes 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 Gives & Gives to Austin Pets
Why we continue to support the Statesman’s Season for Caring program

3 minutes 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...

Cats and dogs hate New Year’s Eve fireworks
Your pet’s ears are sensitive to sound

Nov 30, 2023

Loud bangs and pops scare pets and can make even the most well-behaved pet misbehave or run away. We have tips.Bruno is one of the few cats who doesn't scare easily during New Year’s Eve and July 4th fireworks. “When I first adopted Bruno,” says Dr Sherry Hill,...

When Your Pet has Diabetes
New products we recommend for treatment

Oct 26, 2023

7.5 min read “Leo, a 15-year-old cat, visited us for a wellness visit,” says Dr Brianna Armstrong at Firehouse 183. “He had an unthrifty hair coat and his new owners noted he looked like he lacked muscle mass despite his large appetite. “We did lab work, and it...

How to keep your deaf dog safe
Safeguarding pets with hearing challenges

Aug 31, 2023

Franklin’s family realized he was hard of hearing soon after they adopted him. “We learned he might have hearing issues when he was just a puppy,” says Katie, Franklin’s mom.

Why your dog might have a grass-eating habit
7 causes dogs eat lawns

Aug 25, 2023

3 min read Milo is a 6-month-old mini Bernadoodle who really likes to chew on grass in his mom’s lawn. “I think Milo eats grass for...

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

Aug 2, 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...

Dr Google can Steer You Wrong
Don't Skip Vet Consultations

Aug 1, 2023

2 min read “The worst myth I’ve heard from a client who found advice on Google was that it’s ok to give your dog garlic as a flea/tick preventative,” says Aly, a Vet Tech at Firehouse 183. “This is false! Garlic is toxic to dogs! Please don’t give it to your pets. We...

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

Aug 1, 2023

1 min read Update: Dr Brianna Armstrong, now the Medical Director at Firehouse's newest hospital on 183, has had Raylan for over a...

Searching For a Lost Pet?
Find Your Cat or Dog With These 4 Tips

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,...

The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Pets Safe on Boats and Lakes
Planning ahead to avoid accidents

Jun 1, 2023

2 min read “Lucy loves going for swims and enjoy hanging out by the lake,” says Kyla, a Vet Tech at Firehouse 183. “She gets excited to dive in after thrown balls and loves making a big splash! I loved making sure they had a good time while, of course, always...

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