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Smoke the Pit Bull puppy had a heartbreaking past, but she doesn’t show it. Her previous human stabbed her at least seven times, damaging her trachea and carotid artery. If it weren’t for Brad Chambers’ kind heart, Smoke wouldn’t have survived, writes Molly Weinfurter from iheartdogs.com

Today, Smoke is one of the happiest, most loving dogs you’ll ever see. She shows no signs of a traumatic past, and she recovered from all her injuries. Yet, none of it would’ve been possible without the help of her new favorite human.

On the Brink of Death

Chambers first met Smoke as a scrawny puppy when she scurried under his truck in Virginia. When he approached her, he realized that she was bleeding. The poor puppy was probably hiding from the human who had hurt her. She had multiple stab wounds, and it looked like she wasn’t going to make it.

Luckily, Chambers, a former police officer, knew exactly what to do. He had a trauma kit in his truck, which saved the puppy’s life. Then, he rushed her to a nearby animal hospital for further treatment. Her wounds ended up being so severe that she had to be transported out of state to the North Carolina State’s College of Veterinary Medicine for surgery.

“She has recovered fully from all surgeries, and she has tons of energy, and her loyalty is solid,” said Chambers.

After all her procedures, medical bills came out to at least $15,000. Chambers paid for some of it out of pocket, but he was able to fundraise to gain the rest of it. At that point, he knew Smoke needed to become a part of his family.

Miracle Pit Bull Changes Lives

Chambers adopted Smoke because he’s confident that he can give her the loving home she deserves. She has already come out of her shell and shown her true personality around him. So, Chamber is excited to spend his life with the sweet Pit Bull.

“She’s one of the most loving dogs I’ve ever met,” said Chambers. “This is a dog who needs to find a place that everyone around her is going to benefit from her lovingness, and yeah, I love dogs.”

Since she’s so loving, Smoke is now training to become a certified therapy dog. She can use her charming and uplifting attitude to help others in need.

Originally appeared on: abc12.com

Photo: Facebook

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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.