A poor helpless puppy laid on the sidewalk pressed up against a building. He was in such horrific pain that he cried out when a kind woman came near him, writes ilovemydogsomuch

He had no trust in humans and he had a good reason for that! This baby was beaten by a heartless monster. The pup’s owner then dumped him onto the street as if his life never mattered in the first place.

The woman called up a local rescue. They instructed her to meet them at a nearby vet clinic. The rescuers were astounded by the pup’s condition. He was so scared and couldn’t handle being touched, even gently. Everything hurt his body so badly. The vet confirmed that he had severe mange as well as a pelvis fracture. He also had the parvovirus.

The vet administered IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication. The puppy settled down once he was in less pain. It was then he understood that these were kind humans and they were not going to hurt him. He hid his little face and tried to rest. He was so exhausted. The vet scheduled pelvic surgery for the next day.

The pup’s new human friends gave him his first good meal and they were thrilled that he ate it all on his own! He was starving! One of the rescuers decided to name the puppy Nick. He liked the name a lot. She spoke to him, so calmly, as she pet his head and told him everything was going to be okay now. She vowed to take good care of him and make sure he had a home with her until he was strong enough to go to a forever family.

Through love and patience, Nick’s health improved. Even his parvo, which can be so hard to treat at this late stage, resolved. Nick still has to undergo surgery. He will need a lot of TLC when he recovers but his new friends are happy to be by his side.

Can we send Nick our prayers? We are so happy he was found before it was too late and that he’s on the road to recovery.

Source: ilovemydogsomuch.tv

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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.