This is Maggie the 6-month-old Boxer, and Marley the 13-year-old Pug.
Maggie and Marley’s dad, like many in our community, was laid off from work due to COVID-19. While he was laid off, Maggie (the puppy) decided to eat a flashlight. Her dad thought he found all of the pieces, but he was afraid that Maggie ate the batteries, so he brought her into the veterinarian to make sure. Since Maggie and Marley are BFFs, he also brought Marley in with him. While Maggie getting an X-ray, he asked about Marley's masses and mentioned that she wasn't eating very well. The vet did an exam on Marley and found that Marley had several infected teeth that needed to be removed. What Maggie was getting an X-ray for was a bowl obstruction. Obstructions are caused when a dog eats a foreign objects such as toys, rocks, socks, bones, flashlights and more. Unfortunately, these objects are unable to pass through the intestines and then become lodged, which can cause perforation of the stomach and intestines, and can cause death. Signs that your dog may have a blockage include:
As for Marley, dental disease is a very common illness in dogs, which can affect 80% of all dogs by age two. It can also be quite painful. According to Banfield Pet Hospital, there are four stages of periodontal disease, progressing from plaque and mildly inflamed gums to established gingivitis (gum disease), and then on to mild and ultimately severe periodontitis, which may involve bone and/or tooth loss. The most common sign of dental disease in dogs is bad breath. Other signs to watch for:
Taking care of your dog’s teeth is very important. This can be done with regular brushing, dental chews, chew toys, and yearly dental consultations during your pup’s regular check up with the vet can help to keep their teeth and mouth healthy. Their dad applied for help with Fur Kids Foundation, and we were happy to help. Luckily, Maggie did not have an obstruction, even though the batteries were never found, and Marley had her bad teeth removed along with a few of the masses. Marley is eating better and Maggie is back to being a puppy. Their dad is thankful we were able to help, and hoping that Maggie doesn't decide to eat toys she shouldn't. 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.
0 Comments
According to Pet Honesty, hip dysplasia is hereditary and can be passed down through generations. Hip dysplasia can be worsened by lifestyle factors like weight gain, too little (or too much) exercise, and a dog’s diet lacking in the essential nutrients.
While any breed or size of dog can be affected by hip pain and dysplasia, larger dogs seem to be more susceptible than others. Signs that your dog could have hip pain or hip dysplasia:
Hazel's parents were not expecting this, and had no way to save up for this surgery, but knew that she needed it right away. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with this surgery. We were able to help with a portion of the surgery, and Hazel is expected to have a long, healthy, and pain free life. If you're really interested in a specific breed of dog, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to be a responsible dog owner and find a responsible breeder that does the appropriate health screenings, such as radiographs for hip dysplasia and more. 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. Meet Dexter, a 10-year-old Border Collie mix, who is a typical old man, a little pudgy, but for the most part he’s healthy. His mom's primary income was delivery groceries, so when she hurt her ankle and needed surgery she was no longer able to do her job while she healed. During this time, she noticed Dexter had a mass growing on his gums; one had burst and would not stop bleeding. She was worried about her old man and knew he needed to be examined at a vet’s office right away.
Fur Kids Foundation also encourages all pet parents to do annual dental exams with their dogs. Dental disease can impact your dog's heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder; and poor dental health can lead to horrible infections. Not to mention pain for your dog. You can read more about this in this Dog Quality blog, Dental Health in Older Dogs. Not working, Dexter’s mom knew she was going to need help to pay her bills. She applied with Fur Kids Foundation and we were able to help with removing the bad teeth and cleaning up the cyst, along with a few other bumps on his body. We’re very happy to report that Dexter’s made a full recovery and is feeling better already.
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 Patch, a 7-year-old Chihuahua. His mom recently was laid off from work, and at the same time noticed that Patch was favoring his back leg. His mom was hoping Patch had just strained his leg, and after some rest and time would start using his leg again. Unfortunately, Patch seemed to only be getting worse. She knew it was time to get her fur kid into the veterinarian’s office for an examination. At the vet, they discovered Patch has a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). According to VCA Pet Hospitals, a torn CCL is a very common injury to the stifle (knee) of dogs. This ligament is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. If you’re curious, there are ligaments inside the knee: the cranial cruciate ligament and caudal cruciate ligament. They are called cruciate because they cross over each other inside the middle of the knee. When the CCL is torn, surgery is recommended as soon as possible to improve joint stabilization and relieve pain. Patch’s mom applied with Fur Kids Foundation. Patch’s mom is currently unable to afford the cost of CCL surgery for her dog, even with Fur Kids Foundation’s emergency veterinary assistance, but she is looking into other options, including Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment to help Patch find comfort while she saves up for his surgery. Be sure to talk with your vet about all your treatment options if you ever go in for a major injury. You may be surprised at what they can do for you.
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.
Toby's mom is a single mom, whose hours were cut due to COVID-19. Once she brought Toby into the vet, she also completed an application with Fur Kids Foundation for help with her emergency veterinary bill.
At the vet, Toby was given activated charcoal, and subcutaneous fluids, but (thankfully) didn't seem to be affected by the seizure medication. We're hoping Toby has learned a lesson that his dog mom’s medications aren't treats. You can help prevent your pet from eating human medications by taking the following steps:
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 Nina, a 10-year-old American Bulldog. According to Nina’s mom, Nina is a major part of the family. “She loves to play (especially fetch), give lovin’s, and we feel like we have a protector. She is a major part of our lives and of our family.” Nina’s mom noticed that she wasn’t feeling very well. Nina didn’t have a lot of energy and had bad diarrhea, which seemed to be getting worse, rather than improving. It was clear to her family that Nina wasn’t feeling well. They decided to take Nina to the vet for a check up. One of the most common reasons pet parents seek care for their pooch is diarrhea. Yes, this can be caused by a change in food or if your dog has a habit of garbage diving; however, doggy diarrhea can also signal a serious underlying disease. So, how do you decide if you should see a vet? Check out these tips offered by Diamond Pet Food:
Nina's family has struck some hard times. Her mom is a stay-at-home-mom and her dad was injured, so the family is living off of Workman's Compensation. A vet visit was not something they were expecting, and it wasn’t something that they had budgeted for. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with this veterinary bill, and we were happy to help. The vet didn't see any red flags, but did start Nina on a special diet and gave her some medication to help her upset stomach, so she can be the happy loving family member she is. 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 beagle is Rosco, and he’s 10-years-old. A distinguished older gentleman, Rosco's vision was just slightly impaired. Then his mom started to notice masses growing on his eyes, causing his already compromised vision to become worse. “Rosco is like one of our children, and we would be devastated if we lost him. My husband and I are extremely close to him. He’s very spoiled and well loved. He sleeps in our bed with us and is the best dog we have ever had,” says Rosco’s mom. It isn't too unusual to find a bump on a dog's eyelid or eye. Bumps can be styes, tumors, or other growths; even ticks. Regardless, getting your beloved pet checked out by a veterinarian is essential for their overall health and wellness. Knowing that something was wrong with their fur kid, Rosco’s parents did the responsible thing and brought him to the vet to have his eyes looked at. The vet recommended that Rosco have surgery to remove the masses. Rosco’s mom and dad own their own business; recently Rosco's dad hurt his back and is unable to work as much, and COVID-19 wasn't helping with business either. His parents knew they could afford small monthly payments, but it would stretch their already stretched finances even more. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation to help pay for Rosco’s eye surgery, and we were happy to help. Rosco had his masses removed and is enjoying his golden years with his family. 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 adorable little nugget is Milo, who is what some people call a mutt.
Milo's parents take him for walks for his daily exercise—as we all know, a tired dog is a happy dog. On one of these daily walks, they were taken by surprise when a neighborhood dog started chasing them, and ultimately attacked Milo. Poor Milo was in bad shape—his parents knew that he needed stitches, and that would mean an emergency veterinary visit. Bite wounds are a very common reason dogs are seen by their veterinarians for emergency appointments. In general, it’s important that all dog bite wounds from another dog get evaluated by a veterinarian, as they can be serious injuries. Even the smallest puncture wounds from a bite have a high risk of infection and should be addressed as soon as possible. Check out this PetMD blog, What to do when another dog bites your dog, for more information. Milo’s dad is an apprentice and not making a lot of money and his mom is the only one working full time. This emergency visit was a surprise, so they applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. We were more than happy to help, and because of your support had enough funding to do so. Animal control was made aware of the aggressive dog, and Milo is well on his way to recovery. His mom hopes he won't let this little scuffle get in the way of him loving his daily walks. If you’ve had another dog attack your pup on an outing, it may be a good idea to work with a dog trainer to help with any behavioral issues that could come up afterward. Fur Kids Foundation keeps a list of Dog Trainers in our Resources section. 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.
Check out these six signs of pregnancy in dogs from Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital: Typically, a dog’s gestation period lasts from 58-68 days. Two weeks after bringing Chikis to the vet, she went into labor. The labor started off great, and a puppy was delivered; but soon after, Chikis was stressed and unable to deliver the other baby. Chikis’ mom brought her into the vet, and learned that Chikis needed an emergency Caesarean Section (c-section) to help remove the puppy from her uterus.
Signs that may indicate that your pup needs a C-section include weak contractions for more than two hours without producing a puppy or signs of illness in the mother dog such as vomiting, fever, pain and bloody discharge. If you see any of these signs, take her into your veterinarian immediately. Chikis’ mom is on a limited income, was not expecting a pregnant pup or an emergency c-section. She had spent all her vet funds at the previous visit for Chikis. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with the emergency c-section, and we were happy to help. During the emergency c-section, Chikis was spayed, so there will not be any more oops litters for Chikis or her family! Fur Kids Foundation always encourages pet owners to spay and neuter their pets. For more information, please 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. Plungers! Fur Kids Foundation wanted to say thank you for supporting the Foundation by attending the Pooch Plunge! We had such a great time with you all, and certainly hope you had a great time as well. More than 140 dogs attended the Pooch Plunge, and you helped us raise more than $700. Please be sure to check out the photos that were taken in the 2020 Pooch Plunge album on Facebook—feel free to tag yourself in the photos and share the album with your friends and family!
Thank you to Animal Medical Center Of Wyoming and Red Hills Veterinary Hospital for their support of Fur Kids Foundation and Pooch Plunge. We cannot hold events like this without the support of businesses (and people) like them. Please let them know you're thankful for their support of Pooch Plunge when you are in their office next! Since September 2012, Fur Kids Foundation has helped more than 790 families in Campbell County, Wyoming and granted $153,404.55 in emergency veterinary care. We are proud of the fact that more than 75% of the funds raised help local families afford emergency veterinary care when they need it most. Are you wondering how the money raised is spent?
You can read about the families with pets that we help in our Success Stories page. Did you know that FKF is completely volunteer run? That’s right! We do not pay an executive director, or anyone else who helps us, to do any of the work. Sure, volunteers with FKF love animals, but we also want to help people and we care about our community. Many of these volunteers use their professional skills to help the Foundation raise money, reach more people, and help more families afford emergency veterinary care. The amount of time volunteers give is up to them, but is usually between four to 15 hours a month—depending on the event or level they want to be involved. What does a volunteer with FKF do? They:
Our Pet Photo Contest runs through September 15 and we have a goal to raise $5,000—right now, we’ve raised $570. You can enter your pet into the contest for free at www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf to win a spot in the 2021 Pet Calendar, which will come out in November! You can also vote on other people’s pets here: https://www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf/search. Votes are $1 each, and all donations are tax-deductible; be sure to encourage your family and friends to help your pet’s photo raise money! You can also reserve a calendar day to guarantee a spot for your pet in the calendar on a specific day for $10 here: www.gogophotocontest.com/fkf/calendarday. And, pre-order the calendar for $15; cost includes shipping! Donations can also be taken online at https://www.furkidsfoundation.org/donate.html. If you can give us $10 a month; it matters – remember, $120 can help us cover the cost of an emergency veterinary case and medication. That's one more family and their beloved pet that we can help keep together. The little things do add up; greatly. Thank you for supporting Fur Kids Foundation. Thank you for caring about animals and families in your community. Thank you for making pet health a priority. Thank you. |
![]()
Order Pet Food Online
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
January 2021
|