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

Blue-Green Algae is Deadly for Dogs
Prevent contact between your dog and harmful algae blooms

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...

Prevention Is Key: Keep Your Dog Safe from Parvo
Avoid costly, life-saving treatment with preventive vaccines

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...

Keep Your Cats & Dogs Safe When Extreme Weather Hits
A pet family’s guide for floods, fire 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 Disease in Cats & Dogs is Preventable
Monthly prevention stops a dangerous disease before it starts

4 minute read When 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...

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Healthy?
No. Dogs who eat diets made up of soy and peas face risks of heart issues.

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....

Cat lovers! Cici’s Story Will Melt Your Heart
A Valentine’s tale of resilience, care, and family

3.5 minutes readIt’s important to protect cats and dogs from local wildlife who might see our pets as a tasty meal, especially at night. When Dr Rebecca Davies met Cici, a fragile kitten with a fighting spirit, it was the start of a story of resilience, compassion,...

Firehouse Supports Pets Through Tough Times
Partnering with Season for Caring since 2016

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...

Protect Your Pets from Toxic Mushrooms
They sprout up fast after it rains. Tips to keep your dogs and outdoor cats safe.

3 minutes 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...

Concerned About Your Cat’s Appetite? Contact Us Today
Immediate steps for feline parents

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 Your Dog Won’t Eat: A Guide for Pet Parents
Possible causes and when to contact your veterinarian

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...
Pet Dental Care — It’s not just about the pearly whites!

Pet Dental Care — It’s not just about the pearly whites!

Did you know that many diseases can be traced back to bacteria that begins on the surface of a tooth? Diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems have all been linked back to dirty teeth in cats and dogs. At Firehouse, we urge our clients to bring pets to us once a...

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Firehouse Philanthropy

Firehouse Philanthropy

At Firehouse, we're dedicated to improving the lives of pets all around Central Texas. And we don't limit our philanthropy to the holiday season – we give back all year round. As shelters need medical services for their pets, we happily help out. This way, the dogs...

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Having a Safe & Fear Free Holiday with your Pet

Having a Safe & Fear Free Holiday with your Pet

The holidays can be stressful for humans, but what about our pets? October is a good time to find ways to reduce your pet’s fear, stress, and anxiety from Halloween through New Year’s. When your dog or cat is less anxious, you’ll have more fun, too! During...

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Firehouse Is Offering A New Heartworm Preventative

Firehouse Is Offering A New Heartworm Preventative

Do you have trouble remembering to give those monthly heartworm pills to your pet? Firehouse Animal Health Center is now offering ProHeart 6, an injectable heartworm preventative that lasts 6 months. Because ProHeart 6 offers 6 months of prevention, it’s one less...

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Every Geriatric Pet Should Have an Abdominal Ultrasound

Every Geriatric Pet Should Have an Abdominal Ultrasound

Veterinary medicine has come a long way over the last few decades. We used to spend our days (and still do) putting out fires all day and practicing reactive medicine. But what if you could prevent the fires before they ever started? Or, at least, catch it early...

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Introducing Your Pups to Your Newborn

Introducing Your Pups to Your Newborn

Dogs are often a couple’s “first child” and are treated as members of the family. When the family grows and parents welcome their first human baby, a bit of prep work can make all the difference for furry friends. Dr. Adri Mendoza of Firehouse Animal Health Center...

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How Do I Find a Great Veterinarian?

How Do I Find a Great Veterinarian?

We all dread the day that our beloved 4 legged friends get sick and need to go to the vet. That can be an extremely stressful time. If and when that time comes, you want to know you are at the right place. But how do you really know if you have found the best place...

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What Happens in the Back?

What Happens in the Back?

“I don’t want you to take my pet in the back.” As veterinarians, we occasionally hear that statement. For every time we hear it said aloud, I assume there are five or ten others that feel that way but don’t feel comfortable enough to share. Most veterinarians will...

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End of Life Care At Firehouse Animal Health Austin

End of Life Care At Firehouse Animal Health Austin

When people find out I am a veterinarian, there is one very common response that comes back. “I just couldn’t deal with euthanizing pets.” I have always thought that to be a strange response. I understand why they say it, but I never looked at Veterinary Medicine as...

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