![]() This is Lucy, a six-month-old Corgi pup. We all know how mischievous puppies are, and that they frequently get into things when their pawrents aren’t looking. And this is just what Lucy did. Lucy's mom noticed that she was acting like she wasn’t feeling well–Lucy wasn’t eating, she was having troubles going potty, and then she started vomiting. Her mom knew she needed to get Lucy to the vet right away. She had enough for the initial exam, but when she was told Lucy's illness was actually an obstruction that required emergency surgery, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to cover the costs. PetMD reports that an intestinal blockage (aka bowel obstruction) can be a partial or complete blockage of the intestines, which means that solid foods or liquids have a hard time passing. This can also prevent absorption of nutrients and water, and can cause a lot of health issues. Unfortunately, blockages can also damage the intestines and cause the tissue to die or break (bowel rupture or perforation); and this can be fatal. Some common symptoms of a bowel obstruction in dogs includes:
Lucy's mom is a single mom who is transitioning between jobs. She loves her pets dearly and tries to look after them. Lucy's mom applied for Care Credit, but didn't get approved for enough to cover the full costs of the surgery for the obstruction. She applied with Fur Kids Foundation for assistance so she wouldn't have to make any difficult decisions for Lucy. We were happy to help. Lucy's surgery was a success and they were able to remove the objects she had eaten (dang puppies!) and is at home recovering. Her mom now knows how curious little Lucy is and will keep things out of reach and a better eye on her. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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 little nugget is Jadis, an 8-year-old unaltered Miniature Dachshund. Her dad has run into some bad luck lately, he injured his back resulting in two surgeries, was laid off from work, and is trying to play catch up while he waits for disability. One day, Jadis started whining and was having trouble urinating. Her dad could tell she was in pain. Her dad says Jadis is his whole life, she's been there for him through all his ups and downs, and it was killing him to see her in pain. He called the vet who gave him an estimate on an exam, and knowing it was outside his budget, he applied with Fur Kids Foundation for help. At the vet it was discovered Jadis had a severe UTI and needed to be put on pain medication. Unfortunately they also discovered that Jadis has a mammary tumor, due to being unaltered, that needs to be removed right away. For the most part, a UTI occurs when bacteria travels up the urethra and into the bladder. Urine in the bladder is supposed to be sterile, but once bacteria find their way there, they can grow and reproduce, causing a UTI. VCA Animal Hospital reports that dogs with UTIs often:
It is best to discuss UTI prevention with your veterinarian in order to come up with a strategy that will be effective for your dog. Jadis' dad never had her spayed because she was an inside dog and never left his side. He also never had any intentions of breeding her, so he didn't see the harm in her not being spayed. After the diagnosis of her mammary tumor, Jadis' dad has done a lot of research and was blown away by the statistics of unaltered female animals developing pyometra or mammary tumors, such as these pointed out by VCA Animal Hospital:
His goal now is to educate friends, family, and the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. Fur Kids Foundation was able to help Jadis with her UTI, and will help with the mass removal as her dad raises the funds to pay the difference. We're happy we could help Jadis and know she's in great hands with her dad who loves her tremendously. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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 Luna, a 6-month-old Chihuahua/Pit Bull mix. Like most puppies, she's a bit mischievous and naughty, and decided to go exploring without her parent's consent. While exploring, she was unfortunately hit by a vehicle.
Luna’s parents are on a fixed income and ran into some troubles with hackers and their bank account, but they knew that Luna needed to be seen immediately by a vet. Unfortunately this accident was after regular business hours, and they were worried about covering the cost of the visit as well as anything additional that Luna would need. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were able to help because of supporters like you! Luckily, Luna was in good shape with some superficial wounds that will heal with time. Unfortunately, Luna tore her cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). She will eventually need surgery to fix her knee, so her parents are keeping her calm and saving up for her needed surgery. Even if you believe your dog has not sustained a major injury as a result from being hit by a car, it is crucial that he or she sees a veterinarian as soon as possible. Check out this blog, What to Do if Your Dog is Hit by a Car, by PetMD for some more good information on how to help you pet if he/she has been hit by a car. Depending on the situation, there may be some good steps you can take to help prevent your pooch from being hit by a car. One simple, and great training tip, is to teach your pet to sit and wait at every door or curb, or even from the inside of the car to make sure your dog won’t bolt into oncoming traffic. Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard. And, when you’re backing out of the driveway, make sure your pets are in a safe place. According to VCA Pet Hospitals, a torn CCL is a very common injury to the stifle (knee) of dogs. A CCL rupture is similar to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in humans. CCL rupture occurs in dogs of all sizes, but is quite common in giant or larger breeds. When the CCL is torn or injured, the shin bone (tibia) slides forward from the thigh bone (femur), which causes most dogs to walk abnormally and experience pain. This instability also damages the cartilage and surrounding bones, which can lead to osteoarthritis. You can read more about this here. According to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, signs that your dog may have torn their CCL include:
When the CCL is torn, surgery is recommended as soon as possible to improve joint stabilization and relieve pain. However, you can also speak with your veterinarian about other options such as orthopedic braces, joint injections and pain medicine. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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 Baby Girl, a 13-year-old Seal Point Siamese. Her mom, who is a single parent on a fixed income, noticed Baby Girl had a mass near one of her nipples. Baby Girl is spayed, but she was worried the mass could be something dangerous to Baby Girl's health. Her mom monitored the mass and it continued to grow, so she knew she needed to bring Baby Girl to the vet. The vet looked at the mass and decided the best option was to remove it and send off a biopsy to see if it is cancerous. This lump or swelling along the cat’s mammary chain, which is the line of breast tissue and nipples along your cat’s belly, is the most common symptom of a cat mammary gland tumor–you could also call it breast cancer. That’s right; your feline friend can also get breast cancer. Mammary gland tumors are often found in older female cats, but they can occur in younger female and male cats. If the tumor has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized), your cat may generally feel unwell, eat less, become sluggish, and lose weight. If it has spread to the lungs, your cat may have problems breathing or develop a cough. Baby Girl did wonderful in the surgery and is at home recovering while her mom anxiously awaits the news of what the mass was. Regardless of what information comes back, her mom is dedicated to making Baby Girl happy and healthy. According to VCA Hospitals, sexually intact cats have a seven-fold increased risk for mammary tumors compared to spayed cats. Spaying helps your female pet live a longer and healthier life. Fur Kids Foundation has had multiple veterinarians, from all of the clinics in Gillette, tell us that spaying helps prevent uterine infections like pyometra and breast cancer. According to the ASPCA, breast cancer is fatal in nearly 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Dogs and cats can be fixed at any time during their lifespan. Your veterinarian can address any concerns there might be about performing the procedure. 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 Sadi, a 9-year-old Wirehaired Dachshund who her dad says is his very best friend. Sadi's dad noticed that she wasn't eating as much as she usually does, and wasn't feeling well. She was whining and just feeling pretty dumpy.
Sadi's dad is on a limited income and borrowed money from his family to help get Sadi into the vet’s office. There, the vet discovered that Sadi had multiple abscessed and broken teeth, which needed to be removed as soon as possible to avoid infection and help Sadi feel better. Dogs need dental cleanings, just like you and I do! Your pets dental health is a very important part of their overall health; in fact, health problems related to periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes. According to the AVMA, every year (at least), your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked by a veterinarian to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. However, if you see some of these issues, have your pet’s teeth checked sooner, rather than later:
Even with borrowing funds and using his savings, Sadi's dad didn't have enough money for the procedure, so he applied to Fur Kids Foundation. We were happy to help Sadi find some relief. During her dental procedure, it was discovered Sadi had multiple bad teeth and many were removed. Sadi may be toothless, but she's feeling so much better now. Brushing your pet's teeth daily can help prevent dental or oral disease in pets because it removes the plaque and tartar that forms on teeth.To get some suggestions on what products are best to use, speak with your veterinarian. 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 Dabby; he’s a 1-year-old domestic short-hair cat, and his mom’s “Love Bug.” This poor baby was experiencing some worrisome symptoms–he wasn’t as energetic as he usually is (lethargic), he had a lot of goop in his eyes and a lump the size of an egg on his neck. Dabby’s mom is in between jobs and didn’t have the money available to take him to the veterinarian, so she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with the emergency veterinary care. At the vet, it turned out Dabby was experiencing an allergic reaction to something in the home and his immune system was doing its job by fighting it off. If you didn’t know, cats, like humans, can develop allergies as they age. According to Cats.com, signs that your cat may be suffering from allergies can include:
Dabby was able to go home with his mom and she is working on what he could have gotten into that made him react so. Because of your support, FKF was able to assist so this little guy could get into the vet; we’re happy that he’s feeling better. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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 Bear, a 7-year-old German Shepard. His mom adopted him from a family who could no longer care for him properly. While his mom was looking for a companion, she also wanted to give the best life to Bear that she could. Being on a limited income, she was told Bear was a healthy senior citizen. Shortly after adopting Bear she noticed he was never comfortable, always itching, and his eyes were bothering him. Over the months she's brought him to the vet to try different things to bring Bear comfort that was within her budget. After she spent her savings, and Bear still had eye troubles and scratching problems, she applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help. Bear was diagnosed with (and treated for) Pannus in his eyes, as well as severe allergies, which he'll need Cytopoint injections for likely the rest of his life. According to the Animal Eye Center, Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis) is a progressive autoimmune disease where blood vessels and scar tissue invade the cornea. This can eventually result in blindness. Pannus/CSK is a progressive disease, but depending on a variety of factors such as genetics and UV exposure, it may progress at a slow or rapid rate. It’s most commonly found in German shepherds, greyhounds, and a few other breeds due to a genetic predisposition, but it can occur in any breed and any size dog. As we’ve mentioned in other blogs, allergies and pets (especially dogs) can be quite common. Bear had a quite common sign: scratching everywhere! However, the AKC mentions that there are some other symptoms, which can include:
Unfortunately, many of the signs listed above can also be signs of other conditions, so it’s very important to speak with your veterinarian to help your dog feel better faster. FKF’s assistance helped Bear’s mom diagnose his issues, and she can now create a budget for the medication and care that he will need. She's happy to have her companion feeling and looking better. No matter what is happening with your fur kid, at any stage of life, Fur Kids Foundation encourages you to call your veterinarian sooner rather than later. 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 Queen! She is a 4-year-old Pit bull Mix. Queen has struggled with allergies and recently her mom became worried when her fur was falling out and exposing her skin. She also developed a large sore on her tail that was likely from chewing, which can occur with allergies, according to her veterinarian. Queen’s mom is in between jobs and just needed some help for her cherished pup to feel better. She applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help with medication needs to get the allergies and sore on Queen’s tail cleared up. We were happy to help get this sweet girl! Our fur babies, like us, can suffer from allergies. If you think you pup may have allergies are, look for these signs:
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. ![]() Linda Gerbitz is a board member for Fur Kids Foundation. She has been a volunteer with the Foundation for two years, and joined the board of directors in 2022. Linda is the Chair of the Fundraising and Events Committee, and also helps out with the Community Relations and Marketing Committee. Linda has been a Gillette resident for the last six years; prior to that she lived in Arizona. Linda works at Youth Emergency Services as their Finance Director. She has many passions, but her family, pets and helping children are at the top of her list. Contact Marci on the Fur Kids Foundation Contact Us page. Return to Fur Kids Foundation Board of Directors Marci Zimmerman Kelhi, a long-time supporter of Fur Kids Foundation, has been a volunteer with the Foundation since 2017, and a board member since 2021.
Marci helps on the FKF Marketing Committee and the Events Committee, and has helped organize many of FKF’s events, including the Sleepy Hollow Garage Sales every June, the Fast and the FURRiest Fun Walk and Holiday Pictures. She enjoys taking photos and helping the organization with design. Marci worked for Energy Capital Economic Development. When she’s not working, or volunteering for FKF, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Leo, and their two dogs, Shadow and Zoey. She also enjoys reading, riding motorcycles, spending time with family and friends, and recently found Pilates. Contact Marci on the Fur Kids Foundation Contact Us page. Return to Fur Kids Foundation Board of Directors |
Welcome to the Fur Kids Foundation blog archive that features inspiring stories of pets and people! Get inspired by these amazing furry tales of recovery and hope! All because someone like YOU cared.
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