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Part of our mission with Fur Kids Foundation is to promote and educate about the importance of responsible pet ownership and care to animal lovers in Campbell County, Wyoming. Most of the work we have done with this in the past is to write blogs of our success stories and do social media posts and emails with them. We also encourage pet parents to talk with their veterinarian any time they have questions.
​Now, we have partnered with long-time supporters Animal Medical Center of Wyoming and Red Hills Veterinary Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming to get more necessary pet education out to our community and into your hands. In our first video, Animal Medical Center veterinarian Dr. Marshall Kohr talks about the important vaccinations necessary for horses and their upcoming Coggins and Rabies Clinic at the clinic, 200 E. Lakeway Rd, on Saturday, April 17 from 9 am-2 pm. Learn more at www.amcofwyoming.com. Stay tuned for more videos on this blog, as well as on our social media pages.
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 This is Tido, a 4-year-old Chiweenie, which is a cross between the Chihuahua and Dachshund dog breeds.
Fun Fact: These pups inherited some of the best traits from both of their parents--they are compact, energetic, and loyal. You may also hear Chiweenies called Choxie, Weeniehuahua, the German Taco, and the Mexican Hot Dog. Tido’s dad was recently laid off and is only receiving unemployment, which is able to cover his basic needs: food, housing, and electricity. Unfortunately, at the same time, Tido started to act sluggish, he didn’t want to eat, and his dad could tell that poor Tido wasn’t feeling well. His dad brought him to the vet where blood work determined that Tido's kidney values were terrible. The vet initially thought that Tido was in kidney failure, but after a full exam they learned that he had a urinary tract blockage, which was causing his kidney levels to be so poor. What is a urinary tract obstruction in dogs? A urinary tract obstruction in a dog makes it hard for the dog to urinate, or not urinate at all. For some dogs, an obstruction could be due to inflammation or compression on the urethra, or simply a blockage. Signs of urinary tract obstructions in dogs According to PetMD, the first sign of a urinary tract obstruction is straining to urinate, which typically looks like constipation because the dog will hunch over while it is urinating. Because there is something blocking the urine in the urethra, the flow of urine will likely be interrupted and may appear cloudy. If any urine is seen, it may appear dark or blood tinged (orange or red). Another symptom is crying out while trying to pee; as you can imaging, a blockage will cause pain. Your dog may also stop eating, become depressed or sluggish, and they may even vomit. Urinary tract obstructions in dogs are emergencies Please know that a urinary tract obstruction is a medical emergency. If your dog does not go to a vet for medical treatment, kidney failure can develop, which can be life threatening within three days of symptoms. Tido’s dad applied to Fur Kids Foundation, and his request was accepted. Tido had to stay the night at the vet to be monitored, a catheter was inserted and he was given some medicine to help him feel better. We’re happy to report that Tido is expected to make a full recovery! 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.  This cutie is Avery, a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat.
Her parents do a great job taking care of their baby, but one day this very curious kitten ventured out onto their balcony. And then fell. Her parents took her to the vet and learned that Avery's fall resulted in a broken pelvis for her. Pelvis fractures are some of the most common fractures seen in veterinary clinics. If your cat seems to not be able to use their hind legs, and is in pain, they need to be taken to the vet to be checked out. Some pelvis fractures can heal on their own, while others need surgery to heal; your vet needs to be the person who decides what treatment is best for your cat. For Avery, the vet felt that surgery was her best treatment option. Avery's mom missed two weeks of work when she had COVID-19, and her family was struggling to get caught up. Since Avery needed surgery to fix her pelvis, her parents needed a little extra help to cover the emergency veterinary costs; so, they applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. Avery had her surgery and is slated to make a full recovery. We're hopeful she stays far away from balconies in the future. Signs of pain in cats Cats are masters at hiding that they are in pain. Check out these signs that your cat may be in pain:
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.  This handsome dude is Capone, a 2-year-old mixed cutie.
Capone likes to keep his mom on his toes. A few years ago, Capone's mom received help from Fur Kids Foundation when he ate a box of raisins. Since that emergency, she's worked hard on creating a fund for emergency veterinary visits. However, life happens, and so do the holidays, which meant that her reserve wasn’t as big as she would have liked. Unfortunately, that's when Capone decided to eat a glass Christmas bulb. In our opinion, dogs likely don’t eat glass by choice, but when it’s in the form of a ball or perhaps another small shiny shape, overly curious dogs may just want to give it a try. We lovingly refer to dogs as equal-opportunity eaters. If it looks edible (and definitely if it smells edible) they will put it in their mouth. Biting down on glass makes dogs run the risk of cutting their tongue, lip and gums, which could result in bleeding. In Capone’s case, a piece of that glass bulb got wedged under his tooth, and his mom knew that Capone had to be seen at the veterinarian. His mom contacted Fur Kids Foundation and applied for assistance, and we were happy to help this family again. Capone was monitored for the night and had the bulb removed from his mouth. Thankfully, he’s back to his normal goofy self. We're hoping he stops worrying his mom soon and stays healthy while she builds back up her vet savings for him. What to do if your dog swallows glass? Please, if you know that your dog has swallowed something dangerous like glass, call your vet immediately. Any signs such as straining to go to the bathroom, blood in their stool, lack of energy, little appetite or signs of abdominal pain, take your dog to the vet. These signs indicate a blockage or damage to the intestinal tract that requires life-saving surgery. If your dog is gagging or pawing at their throat, those as signs of choking, and you will need to get them to the vet to get the object removed ASAP. 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.  This is Zaytta, a sweet little kitty that adopted her parents. Zaytta kept coming by her parents house, and it was clear to them that she was hungry and scraggly looking. Unfortunately, her parents had lost their job due to COVID-19, and then her mom needed shoulder surgery, causing her to lose hours at work; however, they just couldn't let this little baby go hungry. They brought her in, started taking care of her, and Zaytta became a loved part of the family.
Her parents were just starting to get caught up from being laid off, when Zaytta started to limp. Terrified that their baby girl had broken her leg and they wouldn’t be able to afford the costs of surgery for her, they applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. At the vet they learned that Zaytta did not have a broken leg, but a bad abscess on her foot. What is an abscess? According to VCA Animal Hospital, an abscess is a “pocket of pus” located somewhere in the body; in Zaytta’s case it was her foot. What are the signs of an abscess? Most times, an abscess appears as a painful swelling that can be firm or compressible like a blister; that is, as long as it is not located inside a body cavity or deep within tissue. Often, the fur at the site is missing or matted. A fever can often accompany an abscess, and your cat may not be in their normal playful mood. Also, sometimes an abscess can rupture; for an external abscess, the discharge is rather bad smelling (again, it’s puss). If it is under the skin, there could be a lot of redness around the area. But, if an abscess ruptures internally, it could cause an internal infection or bacteria in the bloodstream. How does my cat get an abscess? The most common cause is a bite from another animal that introduces bacteria into the wound, which then becomes infected and an abscess forms. Other ways are from injuries from objects like sticks and grass seeds, or having had a previous infection in the site. However, damage to a tooth may result in a tooth root abscess as well. Zaytta was lucky that her new parents caught her abscess quickly and took her to the vet. At the clinic, they cleaned out the abscess and gave her some antibiotics to help kill the infection. She’s on her way to being 100% back to her normal, healthy self. A cat abscess is a painful and potentially serious health issue. Fur Kids Foundation recommends that if you see an abscess on your cat, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment. 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.  Fur Kids Foundation wants to thank Pacific Steel and Recycling and their customers in Gillette, Wyoming. Every item that is recycled at Pacific Steel and Recycling that customers don't take the money for is put into a pot to be given away each month. This year, Fur Kids Foundation was chosen as a recipient.
Do you need to recycle unwanted metal? According to their website, Pacific Steel and Recycling purchases almost all varieties of scrap metal, including
And, if you choose not to take your cash payment for your recycled scrap, your money is added to the pot! We are truly grateful for this thoughtful way of giving back to the community. Learn more about this company at www.pacific-steel.com.  This bright-eyed kitty is Lil’ Man, and he's just 1.5-years-old. His parents rescued him outside of town when they noticed him on the side of the road and he’s been a beloved part of the family since.
For about a month, his parents noticed that he was having mucus like poo, so they gave him a dewormer since Lil’ Man can go in and out of the house. But, it didn’t seem to be getting any better, so they decided that their Lil’ Man needed to go to the vet. At the vet they found that Lil’ Man had giardia, which is a parasite that causes tummy issues—and, yes, it can cause issues in humans, too. Though sometimes confused with intestinal worms, giardia is a type of parasite called a protozoan that invades the gastrointestinal tract. Poor Lil’ Man likely got it while on one of his outdoor adventures—it’s not too difficult for your cat to pick it up, particularly if he or she has free access to the outdoors. Symptoms of giardia (giardiasis) in cats Commons signs that your cat has giardiasis include:
According to Hills, not all cats infected with giardia show symptoms, especially if they are healthy; but, younger cats, and older or stressed cats are susceptible. However, giardiasis can be fatal if left untreated, so taking your cat to the vet if they show any of these signs is vital. According to the CDC, there is a low change of people getting a giardia infection from your pet. The type of Giardia that infects humans is not usually the same type that infects dogs and cats. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused Lil’ Man’s dad to be laid off, and when his unemployment ran out he was struggling to find a job, causing his family to fall far behind. They did not expect their kitty to get sick, and did not have the funds for a visit. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were able to step in and help them get Lil’ Man the medical help he needed. Lil’ Man had to take some antibiotics but is expected to make a full recovery. 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.  This cuddly fluff ball is Crowley, a 4-year-old adorable kitty.
His mom noticed that Crowley would cry out when he was urinating, and she also noticed that he had some blood in his urine. Then, he wasn’t urinating at all. Once it progressed to the last symptom, she knew that Crowley needed to see a vet, and fast. When she took Crowley into the vet, they learned that he had a minor urinary blockage. What is a urinary blockage in a cat? For those who don’t know, a urinary blockage can be a painful and life-threatening condition that typically affects male neutered cats. A urinary blockage means that your cat's urethra — the tube that drains urine from the bladder and then out of the body — is blocked by inflammatory material. When this is blocked, urine can't exit the body and the bladder becomes overfilled. If the blockage goes on too long, the kidneys may start to swell and become damaged, leaving the bladder to potentially rupture or tear. Cat urinary blockages signs
Crowley’s mom tries to do everything she can for her pets, but this emergency visit was not in her budget and was outside of what she could afford. So, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. Luckily Crowley did not need surgery, but he did have to stay at the vet for a little bit for some fluids and medicine to make him feel better. He was thankfully able to pass his blockage and is already feeling better! It is important to pay attention to these signs and symptoms, so you can treat your feline before it becomes a bigger problem. When you clean their litter box, make sure there is a normal amount of urine, and if you notice any drastic changes in the urinating habits, seek medical advice from your vet immediately. How to prevent urinary blockages in cats Unfortunately, once a cat has a urinary blockage, the chances are higher that it can happen again. At the first sign of any urinary issues, talk with your veterinarian about the food you should be feeding your cat. Water consumption is also important for your cat’s system. Be sure to offer your cat fresh and clean water daily, or add canned food into their diet if they currently eat dry food. 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.  This little cutie is Thomas, a 6-year-old Chihuahua mix.
Thomas' mom just got out of a bad relationship, so now she is a single mom who is trying very hard to get back on her feet. And then poor Thomas just wasn't acting like himself. She noticed Thomas was crying when his neck was touched and he really didn't want to move much. She was very worried about her little man who she says is "a big part of her family." At the vet, Thomas had a full exam and some X-rays. Worried that she wouldn't be able to cover the cost of a unplanned vet visit, Thomas' mom applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with her bill. Luckily the vet didn't notice anything terrible in the X-rays, so Thomas was treated for a stiff neck; we've all been there! He was also given pain medicine to help him recover. Thomas needs to quit his bleak desk job and do more Pilates or yoga! In all seriousness ... Even though Thomas only had a strain in his neck, neck pain can be caused by more serious issues and injuries to the spine. Neck or spinal pain is fairly common in dogs, and is typically not associated with a known traumatic event. Unfortunately, these issues can cause a great amount of stiffness and discomfort, but can be hard for us to recognize. According to the MSPCA–Angell, signs that your dog may be in pain or have some neck and back issues can include:
If your dog is showing any of these signs, be sure to minimize the amount of physical activity they participate in and take them to the vet as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can allow for relief in pain for your pooch, and often in the prevention of the progression of disease to a more serious or irreversible state. 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.  Campbell County, Wyoming is experiencing some frigid and freezing weather lately. According to some weather reports, freezing temperatures will continue through the weekend with wind chills that could take the weather as low as 40 degrees below zero! This weather is not safe for animals or humans. Please be mindful of your pets, as well as yourself, if you are outside.
The colder it gets, the faster frostbite can set in. And when you add the Wyoming wind, the process speeds up more. Once sub-zero temps hit, it takes less than 30 minutes for exposed skin to get frostbite. The same is true for your pet's ears and paws. If you have outdoor animals, please make sure they have adequate shelter and plenty of insulation in their shelter, straw is great and provides warmth (hay can get moist and mold). Feed them extra at their meals as their bodies will be burning more calories to stay warm. Check on their water often. If you see a pet outside without adequate shelter, please call the Animal Shelter (307.686.5249) or Police Department (307.686.5250) to report it. If you live outside city limits, you can also call 307.682.7271. We don't want anyone or their pets to get hurt in this weather. |
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Created in November 2011, the Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of animals in Campbell County.
Your donation saves lives. It goes to work helping animals in Campbell County receive adequate veterinary care during a time when their family may not be able to afford it. Please contact the Foundation to learn more or donate now using PayPal.
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