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Our dogs are family. As they age, they deserve to be cherished, especially during their golden years. But one dog owner didn’t agree. When his dog aged and became blind in both eyes, he did the cruelest thing. He put her in his car, drove out to a field, and dumped her there, writes ilovemydogsomuch

The poor dog had no idea where she was. She was scared and confused. Blind dogs can do very well in a familiar environment but this was anything but that! She sniffed around piles of garbage trying to find someone to help her.

People had seen the dog and posted her photo online. Oddly, they did nothing else to help her. A woman saw the post and figured someone would have helped her immediately. But no one did. When she drove to the area a few days later, the dog was still there.

The poor girl was so confused and skinny. There was no time to waste. The woman walked up to the dog and gave her some much-deserved pets. She spoke to her and soothingly told her it would be okay now. It was obvious that the dog understood because she started to wag her tail.

The kind woman took her to the vet where they confirmed via microchip that she did have an owner. He just didn’t want her anymore. The dog was born blind in one eye but once she lost her sight in the other eye, the only owner she ever had given up on her completely. He didn’t even try to rehome her!

The vet was sad for the dog. She was so sweet and even wagged her tail during her exam. The vet was stunned by her upbeat attitude despite her poor health. The pressure behind one eye was extreme and she needed medication. She also had a bad ear infection.

Her rescuer then gave her a new name, Elsa. The woman decided to foster her. Elsa had to come back to the vet to be vaccinated and spayed a few days later. She did great! She then had a nice bath and was properly groomed. She looked beautiful!

Now all Elsa needed was a happy ending to her tragic story. Elsa’s rescuer did all she could to ensure that would happen! To see what happens next, watch Elsa’s story below. We are so happy she was saved in time.

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.