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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...

Blue-Green Algae is Toxic to Dogs
Call your vet if your pet drinks infected water

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...

You can save your dog from parvovirus
Vaccines keep your puppy or adult dog safe from this hard-to-treat, life-threatening 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...

Pet Safety Essentials for Every Weather Emergency
Our simple tips can help you prep for hurricanes, floods, and fires

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...

Monthly Heartworm Prevention is Critical for Pets
Guard against this disease, which is deadly for cats & expensive/complicated to treat for dogs

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...

Warm Hearts, Tiny Paws: Meet Cici
A blind kitten reminds us the importance of unconditional love

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...

Helping Austin Families and Their Pets
Firehouse offers free care through Season for Caring

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...

Don’t Let Your Pet Eat Garden Mushrooms
Tips to keep dogs and outdoor cats safe 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 Manage Diabetes in Pets
Early detection and solutions make life easier for pet parents

Oct 26, 2023

7.5 min read Dr Luke Rivas at Firehouse Westlake helped a cat whose owners didn’t understand why she was urinating outside the litter box. “We drew blood and diagnosed feline diabetes,” he says. “We put her on insulin and I could tell she was feeling better at her...

Caring for your deaf dog
Advice for owners of deaf and hearing-impaired pets

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.

The grass-eating habit in dogs
7 reasons dogs eat your landscaping

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 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...

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