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As a licensed vet tech, I have met many injured pups throughout my career. Working in emergency medicine introduces you to so many furry friends in need, but one touched my heart in a different way, writes iheartdogs.
About 5 years ago I walked into my job at the animal hospital, ready to start a normal shift. Across the room on the treatment table was a tiny puppy with multiple wounds, visibly shaken up from her traumatic evening.
The technician currently working with the injured puppy had multiple patients, so I stepped in and took her on as my own. I still remember the initial shock of seeing so many puncture wounds on such a small body, and how strong she was considering what she had been through. As I learned more about her case, I came to realize just how desperate of a situation this poor puppy was in.
The injured pup has just been attacked by two large dogs, and was described as being thrown around like a rag doll. The owner was excited to show off her new puppy to her friends, and set her down on the ground with their two adult dogs. Without understanding proper canine introduction, she was shocked when the dogs immediately attacked the small puppy.
The 6-week-old puppy was facing certain death if we didn’t act fast, and her owner was unable to understand the gravity of the situation. Her owner was just old enough to bring a pet in through our doors, but not enough to understand the care this puppy would need going forward.
After performing multiple diagnostics, she was found to have a slew of serious injuries. She had multiple broken ribs, a fractured femur, a broken hip, and was in shock from her ordeal. Even if she survived this trauma, she had a long road ahead.
The young owner knew she could not give the puppy what she needed going forward, and was considering taking her home as is. At this point I became extremely invested in this puppy’s care, and offered to take her in as my own. She was soon signed over to my care, and my life with this incredible puppy began.
After lovingly naming her Ellie, our long road to recovery began. I say “our” due to the struggles I was facing at the time, as I had some healing to do in my life as well. Ellie came into my life just as I was getting sober, and helped me through the most challenging pursuit I would ever experience.
Ellie needed an FHO (a form of hip repair), external fixators in her femur for 8 weeks, along with a hospital stay to bring her out of shock. Her treatment was extensive and tedious, but well worth it in the end. Her fixators were removed 8 weeks later, allowing her to be the rambunctious puppy she always wanted to be!
Ellie went on to become the very best friend I could ever ask for. She remained at my side through sleepless nights, unbearable heartbreak, and every struggle I would face in my sobriety journey.
I am now 5 years sober, and I credit much of my success to the love she offered me in my hardest days. Ellie is my heart dog in every way possible, and I can’t imagine my life without her!
This story originally appeared on iheartdogs.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.
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