Fur Kids Foundation Pack News Blog | Gillette, Wyoming

2020 Success Story Dexter border collie

10/16/2020

Meet Dexter, a 10-year-old Border Collie mix, who is a typical old man, a little pudgy, but for the most part he’s healthy.

His mom's primary income was delivery groceries, so when she hurt her ankle and needed surgery she was no longer able to do her job while she healed. During this time, she noticed Dexter had a mass growing on his gums; one had burst and would not stop bleeding. She was worried about her old man and knew he needed to be examined at a vet’s office right away.

Turns out Dexter had a cyst in his mouth, along with a few infected teeth that needed removed.

Did you know that a dog typically has 42 adult teeth? According to PetMD, sometimes they may have less, but that usually means that the missing tooth could be unerupted or impacted under the gums. For those who don’t know, an oral cyst is a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the enamel of an unerupted tooth. They are benign (meaning that they don’t invade tissues) but as the sac expands, it puts pressure on the other teeth and bone and can destroy teeth and weaken the jaw to the point of causing a fracture. Often a cyst can be seen by the naked eye as a blueish swelling of the gums.

Check out more on oral cysts in dogs in this PetMD article, Treating Oral Cysts in Dogs.

Fur Kids Foundation also encourages all pet parents to do annual dental exams with their dogs. Dental disease can impact your dog's heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder; and poor dental health can lead to horrible infections. Not to mention pain for your dog. You can read more about this in this Dog Quality blog, Dental Health in Older Dogs.

Not working, Dexter’s mom knew she was going to need help to pay her bills. She applied with Fur Kids Foundation and we were able to help with removing the bad teeth and cleaning up the cyst, along with a few other bumps on his body. We’re very happy to report that Dexter’s made a full recovery and is feeling better already.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Patch Chihuahua

9/25/2020

This little dude is Patch, a 7-year-old Chihuahua. His mom recently was laid off from work, and at the same time noticed that Patch was favoring his back leg. His mom was hoping Patch had just strained his leg, and after some rest and time would start using his leg again. Unfortunately, Patch seemed to only be getting worse. She knew it was time to get her fur kid into the veterinarian’s office for an examination. At the vet, they discovered Patch has a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).

According to VCA Pet Hospitals, a torn CCL is a very common injury to the stifle (knee) of dogs. This ligament is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. If you’re curious, there are ligaments inside the knee: the cranial cruciate ligament and caudal cruciate ligament. They are called cruciate because they cross over each other inside the middle of the knee.

When the CCL is torn or injured, the shin bone (tibia) slides forward from the thigh bone (femur), which causes most dogs to walk abnormally and experience pain. This instability also damages the cartilage and surrounding bones, which can lead to osteoarthritis. You can read more about this here.

When the CCL is torn, surgery is recommended as soon as possible to improve joint stabilization and relieve pain. Patch’s mom applied with Fur Kids Foundation. Patch’s mom is currently unable to afford the cost of CCL surgery for her dog, even with Fur Kids Foundation’s emergency veterinary assistance, but she is looking into other options, including Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment to help Patch find comfort while she saves up for his surgery. Be sure to talk with your vet about all your treatment options if you ever go in for a major injury. You may be surprised at what they can do for you.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Toby Golden Retriever

9/18/2020

This adorable pup is Toby, an almost 1-year-old Golden Retriever. As many of you know, puppies are playful, and very inquisitive. Sometimes that curiosity can land them in trouble. Toby’s mom came home one day to find that her sweet boy had eaten all of her seizure medication. She knew to immediately call her veterinarian, and was asked to bring Toby in immediately.

“Toby is my best friend, besides my son. He and my kiddo do everything together,” says Toby’s mom.

If you suspect that your pet has eaten any human medications, call your veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home. These efforts can cause significant stress to your pet, and time is lost by allowing the medications to be absorbed. It is very important to call your veterinarian for advice.

Toby's mom is a single mom, whose hours were cut due to COVID-19. Once she brought Toby into the vet, she also completed an application with Fur Kids Foundation for help with her emergency veterinary bill.

At the vet, Toby was given activated charcoal, and subcutaneous fluids, but (thankfully) didn't seem to be affected by the seizure medication. We're hoping Toby has learned a lesson that his dog mom’s medications aren't treats.

You can help prevent your pet from eating human medications by taking the following steps:

Keep all medications at a height that is not accessible to your dog.
Keep the top of all prescriptions and over-the-counter bottles closed when not in use.
Handle all medications over a counter, table, or sink; if a pill falls, your dogs or cats won’t have easy access to them.
Keep human medications stored separately from your pet’s medications to avoid unintentional mix-ups.
Write down the names and strengths of medications that you are taking.
Do not administer any human medication to a pet unless your veterinarian advises you to do so.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 with any concerns.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Nina American Bulldog

9/11/2020

This is Nina, a 10-year-old American Bulldog.

According to Nina’s mom, Nina is a major part of the family. “She loves to play (especially fetch), give lovin’s, and we feel like we have a protector. She is a major part of our lives and of our family.”

Nina’s mom noticed that she wasn’t feeling very well. Nina didn’t have a lot of energy and had bad diarrhea, which seemed to be getting worse, rather than improving. It was clear to her family that Nina wasn’t feeling well. They decided to take Nina to the vet for a check up.

One of the most common reasons pet parents seek care for their pooch is diarrhea. Yes, this can be caused by a change in food or if your dog has a habit of garbage diving; however, doggy diarrhea can also signal a serious underlying disease. So, how do you decide if you should see a vet? Check out these tips offered by Diamond Pet Food:

If your pup is playful, eating and drinking normally but has soft stools, you could likely wait to see what the next bowel movement looks like before heading to the vet.
For senior dogs, small toy breed dogs, very young pups or dogs with health problems (diabetes, kidney disease or Addison’s disease), don’t let diarrhea persist beyond two episodes because dehydration can become a problem quickly. It’s best to call your vet and let them know what is going on.
If diarrhea lasts for more than two days, and/or if your pup has other symptoms (vomiting, blood in the stool, gas, dehydration) along with the diarrhea, it’s time to see your vet.
Be aware that diarrhea can be a symptom of an obstruction, which is often caused by eating/swallowing toys or other objects. Obstructions can cause intense pain, vomiting and straining to defecate. An obstruction is a true emergency and requires immediate attention and treatment by a veterinarian.

Nina's family has struck some hard times. Her mom is a stay-at-home-mom and her dad was injured, so the family is living off of Workman's Compensation. A vet visit was not something they were expecting, and it wasn’t something that they had budgeted for. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with this veterinary bill, and we were happy to help.

The vet didn't see any red flags, but did start Nina on a special diet and gave her some medication to help her upset stomach, so she can be the happy loving family member she is.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Rosco the Beagle

9/4/2020

This beautiful beagle is Rosco, and he’s 10-years-old. A distinguished older gentleman, Rosco's vision was just slightly impaired. Then his mom started to notice masses growing on his eyes, causing his already compromised vision to become worse.

“Rosco is like one of our children, and we would be devastated if we lost him. My husband and I are extremely close to him. He’s very spoiled and well loved. He sleeps in our bed with us and is the best dog we have ever had,” says Rosco’s mom.

It isn't too unusual to find a bump on a dog's eyelid or eye. Bumps can be styes, tumors, or other growths; even ticks. Regardless, getting your beloved pet checked out by a veterinarian is essential for their overall health and wellness.

Knowing that something was wrong with their fur kid, Rosco’s parents did the responsible thing and brought him to the vet to have his eyes looked at. The vet recommended that Rosco have surgery to remove the masses.

Rosco’s mom and dad own their own business; recently Rosco's dad hurt his back and is unable to work as much, and COVID-19 wasn't helping with business either.

His parents knew they could afford small monthly payments, but it would stretch their already stretched finances even more. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation to help pay for Rosco’s eye surgery, and we were happy to help.

Rosco had his masses removed and is enjoying his golden years with his family.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Milo

8/28/2020

This adorable little nugget is Milo, who is what some people call a mutt.

Milo's parents take him for walks for his daily exercise—as we all know, a tired dog is a happy dog. On one of these daily walks, they were taken by surprise when a neighborhood dog started chasing them, and ultimately attacked Milo. Poor Milo was in bad shape—his parents knew that he needed stitches, and that would mean an emergency veterinary visit.

Bite wounds are a very common reason dogs are seen by their veterinarians for emergency appointments. In general, it’s important that all dog bite wounds from another dog get evaluated by a veterinarian, as they can be serious injuries. Even the smallest puncture wounds from a bite have a high risk of infection and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Check out this PetMD blog, What to do when another dog bites your dog, for more information.

Milo’s dad is an apprentice and not making a lot of money and his mom is the only one working full time. This emergency visit was a surprise, so they applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. We were more than happy to help, and because of your support had enough funding to do so.

Animal control was made aware of the aggressive dog, and Milo is well on his way to recovery. His mom hopes he won't let this little scuffle get in the way of him loving his daily walks.

If you’ve had another dog attack your pup on an outing, it may be a good idea to work with a dog trainer to help with any behavioral issues that could come up afterward. Fur Kids Foundation keeps a list of Dog Trainers in our Resources section.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

2020 Success Story Chikis

8/20/2020

This is Chikis, a 7-year-old Chihuahua. Chikis was given to her family as a gift for her (human) kid-brother.

Chikis’ mom wasn't sure if she was spayed or not, and just assumed she was due to her age. However, Chikis’ mom's other dog was not neutered.

Over time, she noticed Chikis was eating more, gaining a little weight, and it seemed like she wasn’t as active as usual. So, Chikis’ mom brought her to the vet where she learned that Chikis wasn't spayed … and she was pregnant.

Check out these six signs of pregnancy in dogs from Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital:
1. Decreased Activity
2. Changes in Appetite
3. Unusual Behavior
4. Enlarged or Discolored Nipples
5. Weight Gain and Enlarged Abdomen
6. Nesting Behaviors

Typically, a dog’s gestation period lasts from 58-68 days. Two weeks after bringing Chikis to the vet, she went into labor. The labor started off great, and a puppy was delivered; but soon after, Chikis was stressed and unable to deliver the other baby. Chikis’ mom brought her into the vet, and learned that Chikis needed an emergency Caesarean Section (c-section) to help remove the puppy from her uterus.

Signs that may indicate that your pup needs a C-section include weak contractions for more than two hours without producing a puppy or signs of illness in the mother dog such as vomiting, fever, pain and bloody discharge. If you see any of these signs, take her into your veterinarian immediately.

Chikis’ mom is on a limited income, was not expecting a pregnant pup or an emergency c-section. She had spent all her vet funds at the previous visit for Chikis. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with the emergency c-section, and we were happy to help. During the emergency c-section, Chikis was spayed, so there will not be any more oops litters for Chikis or her family!

Fur Kids Foundation always encourages pet owners to spay and neuter their pets. For more information, please speak with your veterinarian.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.

Pooches love plunging into the City Pool

8/18/2020

Plungers! Fur Kids Foundation wanted to say thank you for supporting the Foundation by attending the Pooch Plunge! We had such a great time with you all, and certainly hope you had a great time as well. More than 140 dogs attended the Pooch Plunge, and you helped us raise more than $700. Please be sure to check out the photos that were taken in the 2020 Pooch Plunge album on Facebook—feel free to tag yourself in the photos and share the album with your friends and family!

Thank you to Animal Medical Center Of Wyoming and Red Hills Veterinary Hospital for their support of Fur Kids Foundation and Pooch Plunge. We cannot hold events like this without the support of businesses (and people) like them. Please let them know you're thankful for their support of Pooch Plunge when you are in their office next!

Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped more than 790 families in Campbell County, Wyoming and granted $153,404.55 in emergency veterinary care. We are proud of the fact that more than 75% of the funds raised help local families afford emergency veterinary care when they need it most. Are you wondering how the money raised is spent?

$50 helps cover the cost of an emergency veterinary visit
$100 covers the cost of an emergency veterinary visit, and the cost of medication
$300 helps to cover the visit, the medication, and other diagnostic tests
$500 covers all of that, and an emergency overnight stay
$1,000 helps to cover the cost of an emergency veterinary surgery

You can read about the families with pets that we help in our Success Stories page.

Did you know that FKF is completely volunteer run? That’s right! We do not pay an executive director, or anyone else who helps us, to do any of the work. Sure, volunteers with FKF love animals, but we also want to help people and we care about our community. Many of these volunteers use their professional skills to help the Foundation raise money, reach more people, and help more families afford emergency veterinary care. The amount of time volunteers give is up to them, but is usually between four to 15 hours a month—depending on the event or level they want to be involved. What does a volunteer with FKF do? They:

help take applications to help local families with emergency veterinary care
help plan and run events
hang posters about events in businesses throughout town
create fundraisers to help raise money
clean up dog poop to help keep our community safe and clean
organize storage sheds
write blogs about topics the animal community would appreciate
write thank you cards to donors or supporters
share our posts on social media or talking about the Foundation with friends and family—we’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
work on marketing items or other promotional material for events

You can become a volunteer by completing an application here.

Our Pet Photo Contest runs through September 15 and we have a goal to raise $5,000—right now, we’ve raised $570. You can enter your pet into the contest for free at www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf to win a spot in the 2021 Pet Calendar, which will come out in November! You can also vote on other people’s pets here: https://www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf/search. Votes are $1 each, and all donations are tax-deductible; be sure to encourage your family and friends to help your pet’s photo raise money! You can also reserve a calendar day to guarantee a spot for your pet in the calendar on a specific day for $10 here: www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf/calendarday. And, pre-order the calendar for $15; cost includes shipping!

Donations can also be taken online at https://www.furkidsfoundation.org/donate.html. If you can give us $10 a month; it matters – remember, $120 can help us cover the cost of an emergency veterinary case and medication. That's one more family and their beloved pet that we can help keep together. The little things do add up; greatly.

Thank you for supporting Fur Kids Foundation. Thank you for caring about animals and families in your community. Thank you for making pet health a priority. Thank you.

Fur Kids Foundation Hosts Pooch Plunge

8/7/2020

August 7, 2020—GILLETTE, WYOMING--Fur Kids Foundation, with support from Campbell County and the City of Gillette, is hosting a Pooch Plunge! Bring your dog to the Gillette City Pool, 909 S. Gillette Avenue, on Saturday, August 15. This year the Foundation is hosting three sessions:

NEW: Small Dogs Session (for dogs under 40 pounds): 9:30-10 am
First All Dogs Session: 10:30-11:45 am
Second All Dogs Session: 12:15-1:30 pm

Tennis balls and treats provided. Cost is $5 per dog per session, humans get in free.

The health and safety of attendees and volunteers are very important to Fur Kids Foundation. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), pre-registration and pre-payment is required to attend the Pooch Plunge. This can be taken online at www.furkidsfoundation.org/ppreg.html. Only 100 attendees can come per session. Participants are encouraged to wear a face shield or mask during the event; however, masks or shields will not be provided. Participants will be encouraged to practice safe physical (social) distancing at the event. If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus within 14 days before the Pooch Plunge, or you feel sick the day of the event, we ask that you do not attend.

Humans will not be allowed to play in the pool with their pups. Participants are asked to only bring dogs who are people and dog friendly to the event, and to keep control of their dog at all times.

The staff at Red Hills Veterinary Hospital are helping Fur Kids Foundation make sure attendees’ pooches’ ears are in great health after playing in the water at the Plunge, so they have volunteered their time to make sure they are cleaned properly before you leave the event for FREE.

Nonprofit also hosts Pet Photo Contest
Fur Kids Foundation’s 2020 Pet Photo Contest runs until September 15. Entries are free; votes are $1 each; all donations are tax deductible. Participants with the most votes have their photos featured on the cover and the months inside the 2021 Pet Photo Calendar. Participants can also "save a day" for $10 and guarantee to have their pet's photo in the calendar on a specific day, or pre-order a calendar for $15. Photos should contain pets only. Enter today at www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation provides families with pets access to emergency veterinary care when they cannot afford it. Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped more than 790 families in Campbell County, Wyoming and granted $153,404.55. For more information, or to complete an application, please visit www.furkidsfoundation.org.

2020 Success Story Dude pit bull

8/6/2020

This is Dude, a 9-year-old pit bull mix.

Dude's mom is on a limited income, but since taking Dude into her home she says that he's become part of the family. So when she noticed a stye on his eye that was not healing, and then it started to bleed, she knew it was time for Dude to go into the vet.

While at the vet, they also found that Dude has some infected teeth that needed to be removed.

Dogs can develop styes just like humans do, both on the inner and outer side of the eyelid. According to Wag, a stye may present with the following symptoms:
• Inflammation on the inside or outside of the eyelid
• Eye swelling
• Redness in the eye
• Broken abscess with pus

Dude’s bad teeth are what many vets refer to as periodontal disease or periodontitis. According to Small Door Veterinary, this is a common issue for dogs that is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar on the teeth, which triggers inflammation. This can result in gum infections, bone loss, and the loss of teeth and other serious health problems. Periodontal disease is broken down into four stages, and unfortunately for Dude, he was a stage four—which means he was in the most advanced stage and that his teeth would need to be removed.

The most common sign of dental disease in dogs is bad breath. Other signs to watch for:

Abnormal discharge from the mouth
A mass / growth inside the mouth
Bleeding gums
Broken or missing teeth
Change in behavior
Excessive drooling
Favoring one side of the mouth for chewing
Inability to chew, especially hard food or treats
Inability to open or close the mouth
Pawing at the mouth

Taking care of your dog’s teeth is very important. This can be done with regular brushing, dental chews, chew toys, and yearly dental consultations during your pup’s regular check up with the vet can help to keep their teeth and mouth healthy.

Dude's mom applied with Fur Kids Foundation for assistance for Dude’s stye and dental extraction, and we were happy to help. Dude got his bad teeth and the stye on his eye removed, and is now feeling better than ever!

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.