Meet Gunnar, a sweet little puppy who was abandoned and left to fend for himself in a waste area. Despite being born to a mother who could not afford to care for him and his siblings, Gunnar’s owners decided to dump all of his siblings and leave him behind, all alone and scared.

Can you imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for this little puppy to watch as his brothers and sisters were taken away, leaving him behind to face the harsh realities of the world all by himself?

When Gunnar was discovered by the kind-hearted folks at Sidewalk Specials, he was in a pitiful state.

He was severely anemic due to the worms that infested his little body, and he was covered in fleas and ticks. But what broke their hearts the most was the sight of him carrying a piece of bread in his mouth that was bigger than him! It was a clear indication that this poor little pup was desperately trying to survive on his own and fend for himself.

Thankfully, Sidewalk Specials came to his rescue and took him to Vet Point where he received the medical attention he so desperately needed.

Despite his fragile state, Gunnar remained strong and showed incredible resilience as he fought off the parasites that had plagued him for so long.

The vets were amazed by his bravery and his will to live, and they did everything in their power to nurse him back to health.

Now, Gunnar is on the road to recovery and is in good hands with Sidewalk Specials. However, the memory of the pain and suffering that he endured is still very fresh in their minds.

They cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pity for this sweet little puppy who was left all alone to face the world on his own.

As animal lovers, we know that all animals deserve love and care, and it breaks our hearts to see them suffer.

We urge you to share Gunnar’s story with your family and friends. Let them know that there are so many animals out there who are in desperate need of our help and support.

By spreading awareness about Gunnar’s plight, we can help to ensure that more animals like him are rescued and given the care and love they deserve. No animal should ever be left to fend for themselves, especially not a helpless little puppy like Gunnar.

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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.