2021 Success Story Charlie

This is Charlie, an adorable little Terrier pup. Charlie is his mom’s best friend, and she became very worried when Charlie stopped eating, and started acting like he was in pain. 

His mom took him to the vet and there she learned that Charlie had multiple infected teeth in his mouth, causing him a lot of discomfort. 

Fur Kids Foundation receives a lot of requests to help dogs with dental disease, 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.

Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in the mouth creates plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth. Plaque will then harden to form tartar, which is visible above the gum line. The real problem develops when the bacteria begins to damage the supporting tissues around the tooth, eventually leading to the loss of the tooth; this is called periodontitis. If left untreated, periodontal disease may cause multiple problems in the mouth including bone infections and weakening the jaw bone, and may be associated with damage to internal organs in some patients as they age. 

Signs of periodontal disease include: 

• Bad breath
• Bleeding from the mouth.
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth.
• Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar.
• Loss of appetite or loss of weight (this combination can result from diseases of many organs, and early veterinary examination is important).
• Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area.

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.