An abandoned dog that was starving to death was lying in the middle of the road, writes ilovemydogsomuch

Someone driving passed saw him and couldn’t believe her eyes. He was barely alive. To say he was skin and bones was a vast understatement. He was losing clumps of fur from malnutrition or mange, or both! The poor dog looked desperate and had resided to die alone. But the passerby made a phone call that would change his fate!

The rescuers drove over, as prepared as they could be. Even though the passerby prepped them on the phone, their hearts still sunk. The rescuers grabbed some food from inside their vehicle and offered it to the dog.

The rescuers then went to work making as many phone calls as possible. This impoverished part of Turkey doesn’t have animal shelters like we do. This dog needed a foster home in order to survive. Poyraz will first go to the vet clinic and then be taken to an overrun “shelter” in the interim. The plan is to get him healthy enough for the vet to approve his transition so he can live with his new foster mom in a loving home!

Thankfully, the rescuers were successful in finding Poyraz a place to live. And once he was medically cleared, he went “home.” Once Poyraz is with his foster mom, he meets his new doggy friends. The way he responds to his new pack is stellar. The truth is, this loving dog had been on his own for too long. He seemed to enjoy meeting the other dogs and is even affectionate but then something shifted.

Poyraz’s health continues to improve but he begins to wander off, trying to get further and further away. His foster mom chased him down and brought him back. But he still tried to leave. Poyraz was trying to say something. His foster mom reached out to the vet and explained what was going on. The vet said it was simple: Poyraz had always lived as a wild dog. He will always want to be free.

His foster mom made a decision. She expanded the fence so he had more room to wander. Poyraz felt he was still “wild” but he also came back when he was ready. When he did come back, usually in the evenings, there was food waiting for him as well as a warm dog house to sleep in. His foster mom tried to get him to go inside her home with her, but Poyraz lovingly declined. He was meant to be wild and that was okay — to live happily, he had to feel free, even though he was safe and loved. To see Poyraz and his full rescue, scroll down and press play!

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.