A New York family went to their local shelter and found the perfect puppy to complete their family. They adopted an adorable black and white puppy. At last, the puppy was headed to his forever home. Everything was going great, but then a week later everything changed.

The beautiful dog named Brody was settling in nicely in his new home. However, his family noticed a week after they adopted him that he was suddenly having trouble breathing and not eating. Concerned, they brought Brody to their vet to be examined.

Their world was shattered when the vet returned to tell them that Brody had a “serious grade 5 heart murmur which required immediate attention with a cardiac specialist.” Even though the family only spent a week with Brody, they loved him and wanted to take care of him.

The family was not able to financially afford the necessary treatment and returned to the shelter for help. They arrived in tears and explained the diagnosis. The family did not want to surrender Brody, because they knew he would most likely be euthanized.

The shelter reached out to their partners, one of them being Second Chance Rescue NYC Dogs (SCR). They sent out a plea asking for help for the sweet pup. While the family waited to hear if anyone could help they returned to their car with Brody.

“The family, with 2 young children, were still sitting outside of the shelter in tears, praying that something could be done to get their pup the medical care that he so desperately needed.”

SCR responded an hour after the plea stating that they would cover the cost of Brody’s medical treatment. The lethargic dog was immediately brought to Blue Pearl Specialty Hospital to receive treatment. Brody had just found a family that would love him forever, and SCR could not let this be the end.

“We realize that unexpected emergencies happen, and when you have a family who loves their animal, we will always try to do everything in our power, to keep that animal with the people who love them,” posted SCR.

Brody is still at the emergency hospital receiving treatment. SCR is living up to their name by providing Brody with a second chance to live a long life with a family that loves him. “They are good people who care deeply for his well being.”

The rescue is able to help dogs like Brody because of donations they receive. Over 100 people have donated to help care for Brody. Thank you to everyone!

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10 Common Dog Health Problems

Some health problems are specific to certain breeds, such as breathing complications for flat-faced dogs. But several other canine health issues can affect any dog. Here are 10 typical health conditions you need to watch out for in your four-legged best friend:

Top 10 Common Dog Health Problems

Skin Problems

One of the most obvious signs that your dog has a skin condition is itching. Other symptoms that may suggest that your dog has a skin problem include rashes, redness, dry skin, lumps, bumps, skin sores, dandruff, and hair loss.

Ear Diseases

Approximately 20 percent of dogs suffer from ear disease. It’s particularly common in breeds with floppy ears like cocker spaniels and basset hounds. It’s common to see wax buildup or discharge in their ear canal. But others may experience pain, itchiness, redness, swelling, and crusting in the ears.

Urinary Tract Infections

Simply known as UTI, this condition can make it uncomfortable for your beloved companion to pass urine. Signs of urinary tract infection include drinking water more than usual and passing urine more often than usual. Your dog may also only pass a small amount or lose bladder control. Additionally, you may see blood in their urine or notice a strong smell to it.

Vomiting

There are countless reasons why your pet may throw up. You don’t need to visit the vet each time your dog vomits. But it’s also not something you can just ignore. Don’t try to guess. If the vomiting persists or occurs with other symptoms like diarrhea or lethargy, you need to rush to the vet. It could be a sign of severe health problems, such as poisoning or gastrointestinal blockage.

Diarrhea

This symptom may occur on its own or be accompanied by vomiting. Its potential causes are similar to vomiting. One or two episodes of diarrhea may not be a pet emergency. But recurring diarrhea can result in dehydration.

Parasites

At some point in their lives, your pet may have to deal with discomfort due to internal or external parasites. Symptoms of parasites generally vary, depending on a few factors. These include the kind of parasite that has plagued your pet, where it lives, and how severe its infestation is.

Dental Issues

Like us, your dog can develop canine dental diseases due to high levels of plaque buildup. Several signs indicate that your pet may have dental disease. These include difficulty eating, bleeding of the gums or teeth, loose teeth, and bad breath.

Obesity

Nearly 30 percent of the general dog population is considered obese. Several factors contribute to a pet’s risk. These include age, genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, and overfeeding, among others.

Arthritis

This joint problem can restrict your dog’s mobility. Bring Fido to the vet if you see your dog slow down or limp before and after walks. Other signs include licking or chewing on tender areas and behavioral changes.

Poisoning

Symptoms of dog poisoning vary widely, depending on the kind of toxin a pet has been exposed to. The signs can range from vomiting to drooling, breathing difficulties, seizures, or worse, coma. Some of the most common poisonous substances are human foods like chocolates, grapes, raisins, onions, and caffeine. Other known culprits are human medications, household cleaning products, pesticides, and some plants.