FKF Banfield Success Story: Zeus 2017

Meet Zeus, a 6-year-old boxer who recently hurt his back right leg so badly that it was swollen, felt hot to the touch, and he wouldn’t put any weight on it. His mom was worried that something terrible was wrong with her big guy, but she was also afraid of what a vet visit may tell her about Zeus.

His mom tried keeping Zeus relaxed, and put warm and cool compresses on his leg, but nothing was working. She took Zeus to the vet for some x-rays, and they determined that Zeus had a torn tendon.

Sprains, strains and tears are common injuries for larger dogs like boxers. Think about this: our four-legged friends stand on their toes with their ankles in the air and the knees forward. This should help you picture the stress your dog puts on his muscles and joints. And, think of how active they are--they chase squirrels, play with their buds, jump on beds (or couches), leap for toys, sprint for a ball, and so much more. So, every now and then, they overdo it and ask too much of their legs. If your dog yelps after playing, and won’t put any weight on their leg, or doesn’t want to do some of their favorite activities, they may have just pushed a little too far. If that happens, it’s best to take them to the vet to make sure there isn’t anything else wrong with their health.

Zeus’ mom is single, and is only paid once a month, and money has been tight lately. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were happy to lend a hand. Zeus was sent home with some anti-inflammatory and pain medication, and was told to keep it easy a little longer. His mom reports that his swelling is going down and he's starting to feel better.

Fur Kids Foundation was recently awarded a $3,500 grant from the Banfield Foundation® to be used to help the Gillette, Wyoming charity with their emergency veterinary assistance program. This funding helped the Foundation grant money to help Zeus' family with the vet visit. ​If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.

---