FKF Success Story 2019: Diego

Meet Diego, an 8-year-old Miniature Pinscher/Chihuahua mix pup. Not too long ago, Diego suddenly started vomiting, had diarrhea, and was refusing to eat his nummies. His family was so worried about him.

"I love him, he's my baby boy. He's my companion," says Diego’s mommy.

They took Diego to the vet, but the cost of the examinations really had them worried. See, Diego's family is a single income home, and they had not budgeted for this emergency. At the vet’s office, they heard about Fur Kids Foundation and applied for help.

After the tests at the vet’s office, Diego’s parents found out that he had a pancreatitis.  For those who don’t know, pancreatitis simply means inflammation of the pancreas. This condition can occur in any dog, but it is more common in middle-age to older dogs, overweight dogs, and females. The pancreas has many functions, but it’s mostly important for digestion and the production of insulin. The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Other signs to watch for include:

• Arching of the back
• Diarrhea
• Lack of energy
• Restlessness
• Swollen abdomen

There are many causes of pancreatitis in dogs, but the most common ones are due to obesity, pets being fed high-fat diets, and hypothyroidism. Even if your dog has a healthy diet, on those special occasions when you give Fido some sausage, turkey skin, or even some bacon can cause a pancreatitis! (Veterinarians often see an increase in pancreatitis around the holidays because families want to share their holiday meal with their pooch!) Another common cause of pancreatitis are dogs who rifle through the garbage and get into goodies they really shouldn’t!

According to the Pet Health Network: When the pancreas becomes inflamed, digestive enzymes that are normally inactive until they reach the small intestine become active in the pancreas instead—resulting in pain and swelling as the pancreas actually begins to digest itself. Yikes! As you can imagine, if this condition isn’t treated, a dog could get gravely ill. If your pet has any of the symptoms outlined above, please take them to a vet immediately!

We are very happy to report that Diego received proper treatment at the vet clinic, and is on a strict eating plan so this doesn't happen again.

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.

If you have questions or concerns about your pet, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to visit or call your veterinarian!

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