2023 Success Stories Lucy

This is Lucy, a six-month-old Corgi pup. We all know how mischievous puppies are, and that they frequently get into things when their pawrents aren’t looking. And this is just what Lucy did. 

Lucy's mom noticed that she was acting like she wasn’t feeling well–Lucy wasn’t eating, she was having troubles going potty, and then she started vomiting. Her mom knew she needed to get Lucy to the vet right away. 

She had enough for the initial exam, but when she was told Lucy's illness was actually an obstruction that required emergency surgery, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to cover the costs. 

PetMD reports that an intestinal blockage (aka bowel obstruction) can be a partial or complete blockage of the intestines, which means that solid foods or liquids have a hard time passing. This can also prevent absorption of nutrients and water, and can cause a lot of health issues. Unfortunately, blockages can also damage the intestines and cause the tissue to die or break (bowel rupture or perforation); and this can be fatal. 

Some common symptoms of a bowel obstruction in dogs includes: 

• bloating
• dehydration 
• diarrhea
• hunching or whining
• loss of appetite
• pain in the belly – they may not want to be touched there, or have a bowing down stance
• vomiting
• weakness or acting depressed/unresponsive 

 
Lucy's mom is a single mom who is transitioning between jobs. She loves her pets dearly and tries to look after them. Lucy's mom applied for Care Credit, but didn't get approved for enough to cover the full costs of the surgery for the obstruction. She applied with Fur Kids Foundation for assistance so she wouldn't have to make any difficult decisions for Lucy. We were happy to help. 

Lucy's surgery was a success and they were able to remove the objects she had eaten (dang puppies!) and is at home recovering. Her mom now knows how curious little Lucy is and will keep things out of reach and a better eye on her.

No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

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.

---