davelovesdogs
A tiny dog went from healthy to ravaged in under a year because of the abusive treatment he allegedly received at the hands of his former owner, writes dogheirs
But days after being saved by Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue in Tijeras, New Mexico, Buster has shown a remarkable turnaround.
Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue’s founder Cynthia Dares revealed on Facebook how Buster came to her desperate for food and water. She also says his owner inflicted punishments that resulted in his eye needing to be removed. He also suffered neglect that lead to him having difficulty walking and peeing.
“Little Buster (renamed) has been thru hell in the last year,” wrote Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue of the pup they took into their charge on June 24, 2021. “He came into the home of a woman in good health and a handsome little boy. He was rescued and came into our home as a kicked, abused, neglected, starved, not given water for 14 hours at a time from the moment he arrived. He only weighs 10.4 lbs, a tiny little thing. ”
They continued, “His eye will be removed after having Febreze sprayed in it because he barked. Hopefully his other eye will last a little longer. His paws were so bad he could hardly walk. The nails were growing over each other and into his skin. Under his belly the mats were soaked with his urine and he could hardly pee pee.”
Since their initial post, Buster has had a successful eye surgery, Buster has also been groomed to remove the stickers from his paws and mats all over his body.
Dare said she intends to file charges of abuse and KOB4 News reported that Valencia County Animal Control is investigating the allegations of abuse.
According to Sunflower Sanctuary Animal Rescue, the woman allegedly responsible for Buster’s abuse was previously charged with animal abuse back in 2008. They wrote on Facebook:
“…the worst part of all this woman was charged with similar abuse in 2008 to a puppy that she just got. He was bigger than tiny little Buster, She was slapped on the wrist even though there was video of the abuse, community service 100 hrs, probation and couldn’t own a dog while on probation and around $600 fine paid to the rescue that was taking care of him.”
Sadly, it appears no lesson was learned and Buster suffered because of it. Regardless of any potential criminal case in the future, the most important thing is that Buster is now safe and being well cared.
“A couple days of love and belly rubs and food and water and just a lot of care, he’s totally a different dog,” Dares told KOB4 News.
He will be with Dares and her other rescue dogs for the rest of his days as her sanctuary is a hospice rescue. Dares explains that the animals she rescues “stay here until they are ready for the Rainbow Bridge.”
Source: dogheirs.com
---------
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.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings