Content Staffs
Dogs would never leave their humans and don’t understand how the people they love can leave them behind. Sadly, this is happening around the world due to the uncertain times we are facing due to the coronavirus.
Shelters around the country saw an increase in surrenders and intakes, but thankfully people stepped up to help foster. However, some shelters are still overwhelmed with abandoned pets due to people losing their jobs or out of fear. Dogs and cats are proven to reduce stress, so the last thing people should do is abandon them.
A man in Orlando, Florida, tied his brown and white pit bull to his neighbor’s tree in the middle of the night and left town. In the morning, the neighbor found the sweet pit bull with a muzzle on lying beside a handwritten note. The note read, “I am leaving to California to be with my mother and brother during this pandemic. Please take care of Lincoln or find him a good home. I trust you with my baby. I’m sorry.”
The neighbor was unable to keep the sweet boy, so she reached out to The Pittie Party of Central Florida (TPPCF). Mayson Jones, a volunteer at the rescue, picked up Lincoln and brought him back to her house.
In an attempt to distract the dog from looking for his owner, she played fetch with him in her backyard. Lincoln had a blast and sported the biggest smile. Due to the situation, the rescue needed someone to foster Lincoln until they figured out when they could legally adopt him out.
Melanie Anderson stepped up and offered to foster the mellow boy until a forever home was found. He is spending his days relaxing in the sun on a boat with his foster family.
The shelter would love for Lincoln to go to a family that owns their home and has a fenced in backyard. The affectionate dog loves to play fetch and gets along with other dogs, but not cats. Anyone interested in adopting Lincoln or fostering another dog can contact the rescue.
TPPCF is just one of the animal rescues in Florida that are in desperate need of fosters and adopters. “We are in crisis mode with the amount of people who have abandoned their dogs because of unemployment and the uncertainty of what is around the corner. Shelters are being forced to euthanize dogs at a devastating rate. Individuals are abandoning their dogs on the streets after many shelters are denying intakes. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING AS MANY OF THESE DOGS AS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP,” they posted on Facebook.
The rescue will provide foster families with everything they need to care for the dog and cover all expenses. They need your help. The rescue wrote, “There is no way we would ever be able to do what we do without the dedication and commitment from foster families. These individuals are the true heroes in rescue!”
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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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