Gizmo is a sweet, friendly, and playful little 2–year-old Shih Tzu who is more than a cherished member of Mandy Garner’s family, writes ilovemydogsomuch

Mandy relies on Gizmo as her service animal, so he is a very important part of her life and activities of daily living. While inside her Baytown, Texas home, Mandy allowed Gizmo to go outside and relieve himself, as she always does. There was nothing unordinary about the events of the day except what she says happened next.

Mandy says she went back inside her home, put a few items away, and went back outside to bring Gizmo in. What she saw on the porch horrified the poor woman, as Gizmo was shaking and had something terribly wrong with his face. She immediately scooped the little dog up and drove him to a nearby animal hospital for assistance. With COVID restrictions in place, Mandy was not allowed inside, but the vet performed a variety of tests to determine what happened to Gizmo.

WARNING: Graphic Content!

Gizmo suffered chemical burns to his face and was hospitalized for a week. She says it appears as if someone set the dog on fire, which is technically how it feels to have chemical burns. She continued, “A pest control officer said that it was a large amount intentionally put on him, not to mention he had internal bruising in his chest as well as mouth messed up where they possibly could have kicked him afterward.” Poor Gizmo is blind and will need both of his eyes removed. Mandy feels like she is getting the runaround from authorities.

“I called Baytown Police Department to file charges for animal cruelty which is a felony offense and they stated that they can’t do anything because I don’t live in the City Limits of Baytown and for me to call Harris County Sheriffs Office,” Mandy wrote on Facebook. “I called them they stated they don’t investigate animal cruelty only if a dog has bitten someone and that’s not the case, and they told me to contact the Houston SPCA and I’ve filed reports with them and nobody will do anything.”

According to PEOPLE Pets, a representative from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office says the case is under investigation. We wish Gizmo all the best in his healing process and hope that the person or persons responsible for this horrible crime are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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.