 This is Chilli, a 6 year-old Lab/Kelpie mix--she’s one spicy little pepper for her loving family. Chilli was adopted on Halloween, and she means the world to her parents. Her dad even calls her his best friend. Recently, her parents noticed Chilli's face was swelling up, and it continued to swell as the hours ticked by. They called the vet, who had them give Chilli some Benadryl, and told them to keep an eye on her until they could get her in. By the time they brought her to the vet, her face wasn't as swollen, but the vet noticed her ears were inflamed and infected. Your pups ears are very sensitive. According to the American Kennel Club, it’s estimated that about 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease. Untreated ear infections can be very serious, and could lead to deafness, facial paralysis, or signs of vestibular disease, such as head tilting, circling, and lack of coordination. Symptoms of an ear infection can include:
If your dog is showing any of the signs listed above, it is important to take your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible, not only for your dog’s comfort (these conditions can be extremely painful) but to also prevent spread to the middle and inner ear, where infections can cause major problems. Please, do not try to treat ear problems at home without first talking with your vet. Chilli's dad is the only one working and her mom receives Social Security Income (SSI). They have a monthly budget for expenses for Chilli, but this vet visit was in between pay days and very unexpected for them. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were happy we could. The vet sent Chilli home with some steroids and anticipate her to make a full recovery. Please note: Benadryl® is an over-the-counter antihistamine that veterinarians prescribe for a variety of symptoms, including allergies and motion sickness. However, pet owners should take note that Benadryl does not treat the underlying problem, which is causing the symptoms. Check out the infographic below by Dog Health Coach for some information. And, remember, always talk to your veterinarian before giving your pet any over-the-counter medication. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories. 
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 This beauty is Chula, a 12-year-old pit bull.
Late last year, Chula had a hematoma on her ear that didn't heal. According to PetCareRX: “Hematomas are painful pools of blood that form outside of blood vessels. They are fairly common occurrences for dogs and cats, especially on their ears. When play involves biting or scratching, it's easy to burst a blood vessel, which can cause a hematoma. Chula’s mom did at-home treatments, but she could tell that it wasn't getting any better. Chula also had irritated skin, likely due to allergies, which likely helped to prevent the issue from healing. She decided it was time to take Chula to the vet. “Chula is up there in age, but still has a lot of energy and is loved very much by me and my three children... and many more! Chula is one of the nicest best dogs around and we will appreciate any help you can give us!" her mom said. Chula's mom is a single mom with one child on the way. This vet visit was out her her budget, but she wanted to make Chula feel comfortable; so she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, which we were happy to provide. Chula's hematoma on her ear had turned into cauliflower ear, and she'll likely always have it, so she'll always have an ear that sticks out. But she was given some antibiotics and special wipes to help her with her skin issues. Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.  This is Hercules, a 7-year-old Saint Bernard, adequately named after a Greek hero and protector of man. Hercules' mom describes him as, “My support, my baby, and my son's best friend.” So, when she saw that Hercules wasn’t feeling well, she knew she had to help him. She rushed him to the vet, where it was discovered Hercules' stomach had twisted, or more commonly referred to as bloat. Bloat is also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), and it is deadly. According to PetMD, “the dog’s stomach becomes distended with gas and puts pressure on the diaphragm, causing breathing problems and cutting off the return blood flow to the heart. The extreme pressure within the stomach can cause tissue to die leading to stomach rupture, and sometimes the spleen twists with the stomach, which results in damage to splenic tissues as well.” Signs that may help you see your dog is suffering from bloat include:
If your dog has any of those signs, the only thing you can do is get your dog to a veterinarian immediately; there is nothing you can do at home. Hercules’ mom had just started a new job after not working for a while, and was catching up on past-due bills when he bloated. She used up all of her savings, and borrowed from friends and family to help pay for his life-saving surgery, and she was still short on money for this emergency surgery. So she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. We're happy to report that Hercules surgery was a success and he's well on his way to recovery. Not all dogs are prone to bloat; however, breeds that have a deep and narrow chest are more susceptible than others, but age, size, and stress contribute to its potential. If you’re worried that bloat could happen to your beloved pooch, check out some of these tips:
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% ran by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money, 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. You can see a list of those who support us on our Supporters page. Check out more Success Stories.   Are you on Facebook? If so, did you know that Facebook makes it super easy for you to host a fundraiser for your favorite nonprofit! With this link, you can easily create a fundraiser for Fur Kids Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/fund/furkidsfoundation/
Then, all you have to do is share it with your friends and encourage them to help you raise money on Facebook! A few more details: - If you create a fundraiser for Fur Kids Foundation, we receive donations directly from Facebook, or from Network for Good, or from PayPal Giving Fund. - Facebook charges no fees for donations made to nonprofits. Get started here >>> |
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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.
AuthorThe Fur Kids Foundation blog is written by board member and Founder Felicia. If you have ideas that you would like to see published in the blog such as concerns about pet-focused topics in the community or a funny story, please contact the Foundation. Enjoy! Archives
April 2019
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