Back in November, Animal Cruelty Division received a call about what seemed to be a dead dog lying in a filthy crate in Austin, Texas, writes boredpanda

When the officers arrived they found a pooch all covered in feces, severely emaciated and completely starved. Upon closer inspection, detective Ewa Wagner saw the doggie’s rib move…

“We realized [the dog] was alive, but just barely, so we rushed her to the Austin Animal Center where vets began emergency treatment,” Officer Wagner told The Huffington Post. “Her temperature was too low to even register on a thermometer and she wasn’t moving at all. We didn’t think there was any way she would survive.”

But an angel by the name of Elizabeth Mancera, the veterinary technician, rushed to help. For the next few hours she was giving the pooch lifesaving care. The vet also gave her a warm bath, and gently used a blow dryer to help raise the doggie’s body temperature. “During those first few hours I just talked to her and told her she was loved,” says Mancera. She decided to name the dog Sophie and realized she wanted to adopt this brave little survivor.

The dog has fully recovered and is adored by her new family. “She’ll never miss another meal and she’ll never be cold again,” asserts Elizabeth. “That I am sure of.”

Back in November, officers received a call about what seemed to be a dead dog lying in a filthy crate

When they arrived they found a pooch all covered in feces, severely emaciated and starved

Detective Ewa realized the canine was alive and rushed her to the vet

“Her temperature was too low to even register on a thermometer and she wasn’t moving at all”

“We didn’t think there was any way she would survive”

The vet Elizabeth Mancera gave her a warm bath, and used a blow dryer to raise the body temperature

“I talked to her the whole time… She was freezing and wet and.. looked up at me with pleading eyes”

“Everyone thought she was going to die… I kept telling her she would be okay”

Mancera named the dog Sophie and decided to adopt her

“She’ll never miss another meal and she’ll never be cold again”

Source: boredpanda.com

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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.