 This is Mossy, a 10-year-old Lab/German Shepherd mixed breed dog. Mossy and her mom have been together for a long time and are very close. Mossy's mom has recently returned to school full time, so her hours at work have been cut to part time. That's when Mossy started vomiting, having excessive thirst and urination, and was very lethargic. Her mom noticed she had some bumps over her body and was afraid that those bumps could be a larger issue to why Mossy wasn’t feeling well. She decided it was time to take her beloved girl to the vet.
At the vet, Mossy’s mom learned that the lumps and bumps were nothing serious at the time, just some normal growths as dogs age. Unfortunately, Mossy was unaltered (not spayed) and was showing signs of pyometra, a uterine infection that can be common in older, unspayed female dogs and cats. Pyometra is a very serious condition; if your cat or dog doesn’t get treatment, it can result in a secondary infection and possibly death. It was then that Mossy’s mom learned that her fur kid needed emergency surgery right away. Some early warning signs of pyometra include vomiting, refusing to eat, inactive (lethargic), increased thirst and frequent urination. Your pet may also appear to be uncomfortable because pyometra is a particularly painful condition. Some later warning signs include a foul-smelling, white- or green-colored discharge coming from her vagina, which is the infected pus draining out. She could also have a bloated or swollen abdomen without a discharge. Please note, if you see any of these signs, your pet’s life is in danger–get medical attention right away. Mossy's mom applied to Fur Kids Foundation for assistance, and we were happy to help. Mossy was able to have surgery and was spayed at the same time. We are happy to report that Mossy will now live out her senior years happy and healthy. For those who don’t know, spaying and neutering of your pets have multiple advantages–not just because it helps to keep the population down and relieve the crowding in animal shelters. Spaying your pet prevents pyometra from developing. Fur Kids Foundation strongly encourages all pet owners to spay and neuter their pets at the appropriate time. If you have any questions or concerns, please be sure to speak with your veterinarian. 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.
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 This is Rue, a two-year-old domestic shorthair cat.
Rue's mom was wanting a companion to spend her days with, so she adopted Rue. Rue and his mom were having a wonderful time together, until Rue became very sick. Rue was taken to the vet as soon as she could get him there, and Rue's mom let the vet know one of Rue's favorite snacks is almonds. That's when she learned that almonds can be toxic to cats when consuming large amounts, and will cause stomach issues, and can even cause pancreatitis. You can read more about almonds and other items that can cause some issues for your dogs at the ASPCA page, Internet Myths and Rumors: Pet Toxin Edition. Rue’s mom lives off of her disability funds. She knew that Rue needed to be seen by a doctor, but did not have any emergency veterinary care funds saved, so she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. Along with blood work, Rue received fluides, medication, and anti-nausea injections to help him feel better. His mom now knows to only feed Rue kitty appropriate snacks, such as some of these listed on Chewy, 15 Human Foods That Are Safe for Cats. 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 Groot, a two-year-old Black Lab/Border Collie Mix. Groot is his mom's best bud, and they go on nightly walks, exploratory hikes, and often wander around town together. Groot's mom was beside herself when Groot stopped eating.
Groot had previously eaten a sock, so his mom was afraid that Groot had another obstruction, so she took her fur kid to the vet. X-rays showed that Groot did have another obstruction. If your dog enjoys chewing up and eating everything in sight, you may want to understand some common signs or symptoms of a blockage or obstruction of a foreign object. These include:
Please understand that an obstruction is a very serious condition. If it is not quickly treated it can cause devastating health issues and can often require major surgery to save your dog's life. If you think your dog ingested something they shouldn’t have, or if they are exhibiting the symptoms listed above, call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Groot and his mom live off of a single income; his mom had recently gone through some of her own medical issues, and at the time of this obstruction did not have enough saved up to pay for Groot’s emergency surgery. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were happy to help. Before surgery, Groot's vet wanted him to stay overnight and push fluids through him to see if the object would pass on its own. Fortunately for Groot and his mom, Groot was able to pass the object without needing surgery! Groot's mom is going to be more mindful of the items her silly puppy can reach and hopefully avoid any future obstruction scares! One way to prevent blockages in your dog is to limit their chances of consuming items that they shouldn’t. Fur Kids Foundation encourages dog owners to keep items that your dog may eat out of his or her reach, keep an eye on your dog while they play with their toys or chew their bones, and keep your dog from scavenging through garbage and other debris while at parks or on hikes. 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 Sam, a 15-year-old cat who is his dad's companion and best friend.
Sam's eye suddenly became swollen and red. Sam's dad was hoping that whatever was bothering his best friend's eye would resolve itself, but it didn't. Sam’s dad used all the funds he had to take Sam to the vet. When he learned that Sam would not have a quality of life if he didn't have his eye removed, he was beside himself. What Sam needed was an enucleation, or the removal of the eye; this is a permanent solution for unresponsive eye conditions. In almost all cases, an enucleation happens because the eye has reached a point where it has no chance of being capable of sight and it is painful, or prevents a condition from spreading. Circumstances that cause an enucleation can include:
While this enucleation was for a cat, it’s worth mentioning that dogs with flattened faces and prominent eyes, often called brachycephalic breeds, tend to be predisposed to eye injuries and often it is these breeds that end up with one eye enucleated. Sam's dad is on a limited income of disability. His vet recommended that he apply to Fur Kids Foundation. We were more than happy to help with Sam's enucleation surgery. Sam is scheduled for surgery, and we know he and his dad will have many more good days in the future. If you notice that your pet’s eye is swollen or red, and is not improving, seeking veterinary attention immediately when a problem is noted is important for your pet’s overall health. 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 dude is Tobin, a 2-year-old Chihuahua. Recently, Tobin wasn’t acting himself–he wasn’t his usual active self, and was very sluggish. Because of this, his parents brought him to the vet where they learned from some blood tests that his liver and kidney levels were elevated.
Poor Tobin was really sick! The vet’s best guess is that poor Tobin must have ingested some ice melt. According to the ASPCA article, Keeping Pets Safe during Winter: The dangers of ice melts, ingesting too much ice melt can lead to an elevation in sodium levels, causing tremors and seizures. This can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. His parents tried a few ways to help little Tobin improve, but also had to make multiple visits to the vet to help him get better, which drained his parents' savings. Tobin's parents recently had a baby, and his dad is the only one working. Because their four-legged best friend was so sick, they applied to Fur Kids Foundation so Tobin could stay at the hospital and receive the medical treatment he needed to help him get better. Tobin's dad had this to say about his little guy: "Tobin has been a happy and healthy dog until his sudden health issues. He’s only 2 years old, and we would like to see him doing well and for our daughter to grow up with him as long as possible." Because of your support, Fur Kids Foundation was able to help Tobin get better to grow up with his human sister. If you suspect your pet has ingested or been exposed to ice melt, please contact your veterinarian immediately. 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 Tilly, a 5 year-old Shih Tzu. Tilly means a lot to her mom, who says Tilly is her first child. So you can imagine how worried she was when Tilly began vomiting and clearly was showing signs that she wasn't feeling well.
Tilly's mom is going through some hard times–she is separating from her spouse, and her work hours are limited. She wanted to do what was best for Tilly and take her to the vet, but she also knew that she would have a hard time affording it. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for assistance. She took Tilly to the vet where she learned that Tilly had gotten into the summer sausage, eating the casings and all. While summer sausage isn’t toxic for your four-legged friend, it is very high in salt, which can cause salt poisoning and mild to severe digestive issues in dogs. Summer sausage also contains unhealthy levels of fat which can lead to pancreatitis and kidney damage. According to Rover’s article, Can My Dog Eat Summer Sausage?, if you’re concerned that your dog has eaten too much summer sausage, watch for these symptoms:
After doing tests at the vet, it was found that Tilly had nothing more than an upset belly and was given medication to help calm her stomach. Hopefully Tilly will re-consider stealing the summer sausage next time it's out. 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.  Yazzie, a Fur Kids Foundation Success Story! This is Yazzie, a 6-year-old Lab mix. Recently, Yazzie’s spunky personality had suddenly been replaced with vomiting, diarrhea, not wanting to eat, and not wanting to be bothered by her mom.
Her mom was sick with worry. “My Yazzie is my life. I have health issues and she saved my life. I don't know what I would do without my fur babies,” she said. She knew she had to get her pet to the vet. Yazzie's mom is on a very limited income, and was very concerned that she wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of taking her to the vet, so she applied for veterinary assistance for Yazzie with Fur Kids Foundation. At the vet, Yazzie was given a full exam and some tests, which showed that this beloved fur kid had an underlying infection that needed to be addressed. Similar to humans, infections in canines can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; and can require treatment with medicine. Some infections are easier to detect than others and your pet may show different signs depending on where the problem lies. Infections can occur in any part of the body–chest, ears, eyes, skin, urinary tract, womb (pyometra) and more. According to VetHelpDirect, common signs of an infection include:
If you are concerned with your dog's sudden change in personality, or change in health, please take them to a veterinarian. Yazzie was prescribed some medicine to help her upset tummy issues, and antibiotics to treat the infection. Yazzie's mom said the meds helped her return to her old spunky self. 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.
According to the Pet Health Center on WebMD, pumpkin is a superfood for dogs. It can be a stomach soother, and can help remove excess water in a dog's digestive tract. Pumpkin is often used to help dogs get more fiber when they are constipated, and also used to help dogs with diarrhea. However, there is a fine line on the dosage to help with either issue. To help determine the right amount for the issue your dog is experiencing, it's best to visit with your vet about how much to feed your pup. Read more here >>>
We are happy to report that Aiden’s digestive issues have cleared up. Thank you for helping us help more pets like Aiden! 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.
Signs of periodontal disease include:
If your pet is exhibiting some of these symptoms, they may need some dental work done. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian. Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in cats and dogs, yet it's completely preventable by keeping your fur kids’ teeth clean—aka, brush their teeth! Be sure to speak with your vet about how you can maintain your pet’s dental health from home after a dental cleaning. Charlie needed his teeth removed soon, but his mom was homeless. She was working on getting a job when Charlie’s mouth appeared to be bothering him. So she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for assistance with a veterinary visit. We were happy to help Charlie and his bad teeth, and he's already feeling so much better. 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 beautiful pup is Harley, an 8-year-old Aussie mix. Harley was given to his mom as a gift from her late brother, so she has a special bond with the pup. Harley's mom is also on a limited income of Social Security, so when he began coughing, she became very worried.
The coughing started small, and she kept an eye on it. But then it was getting to the point that Harley was coughing every time he got up and would walk around. His mom knew she had to get him to the vet ASAP. At the vet it was discovered that Harley had kennel cough. According to Fetch by WebMD: “Dogs ‘catch’ kennel cough when they inhale bacteria or virus particles into their respiratory tract. This tract is normally lined with a coating of mucus that traps infectious particles, but there are a number of factors that can weaken this protection and make dogs prone to kennel cough infection, which results in inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).” The classic symptom of kennel cough is a persistent, forceful cough that often sounds like a goose honk. Some other signs of kennel cough can include sneezing, a runny nose, or even eye discharge. Kennel cough is VERY contagious, so if you think your pup may have it, it's highly recommended to keep them away from other pets and contact your vet immediately. Dogs who receive the Bordetella vaccine are much less likely to get kennel cough. Most dogs recover within three weeks, though it can take up to six weeks in senior dogs or those with additional medical conditions. Please be aware that serious, ongoing kennel cough can lead to pneumonia if you don’t follow up with your veterinarian if your dog doesn't improve within the expected amount of time. Harley was given antibiotics and his mom will monitor him going forward. Thankfully, he 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. |
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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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