One afternoon in Essex, England, a Good Samaritan was out for a stroll when they came across an abandoned crate by the side of the road. They were astonished to see who was inside, writes ilovemydogsomuch

In the container, 20 adorable young puppies slept together, waiting for someone to see them. The kind bystander immediately acted after realizing they needed to assist. They got in touch with the RSPCA in the hope that they could help, and the rescue promptly dispatched two inspectors to pick up the puppies and get them as soon as possible to a veterinarian.

“When I was told how many puppies there were, I actually thought there was a mistake,” Sian Ridley, an inspector with the RSPCA, said in a press release. “I couldn’t believe that someone had abandoned 20 puppies! They were all quite scared and timid when we arrived and it was just heartbreaking to see them all huddled in the one cage — they looked a pitiful sight.”

The veterinarians revealed that the puppies were likely from several separate litters as they examined them. Although no one is certain of their breed, many believe they are some poodle cross. The veterinarians were concerned about the puppies’ health because they were all tiny, weighing less than a bag of sugar. Fortunately, even though abandoned, most of them were healthy.

“I want to say a huge thank you to all the passersby who stayed to help these pups and also to the vets who were able to take on the care of [the] pups over a weekend at such short notice,” Ridley said. “It is difficult to know where these [puppies] have come from … I suspect that [they] may be [from] a puppy farm.”

They were named Albert, Boris, Casper, Dylon, Elenor, Freddie, Guinevere, Hank, Irene, Jeremiah, Kaleb, Luna, Morris, Nevel, Oliver, Peter, Quinton, Rupert, and Saffron since there were so many puppies. The puppies, whose ages range from 6 to 8 weeks, are now maturing and learning how to be playful young puppies.

Veterinary staff members who have been caring for the puppies since they were saved have already offered many of them homes. They are all presently housed in foster homes and will move into their permanent residences when they are ready.

Everyone participating in this rescue was astounded by the number of abandoned puppies. Fortunately, they were discovered and will now live good lives with incredible families.

“Times are tough at the moment, but abandoning tiny puppies like this is so irresponsible and cruel. Please, please never abandon your pet but ask for help before things get so desperate,” Ridley said.

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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.