As a licensed veterinary technician, I’ve encountered quite a few injured puppies all through my profession. Working in emergency drugs exposes you to so many animals in want, however one particularly captured my coronary heart.
About 5 years in the past, I arrived on the animal hospital prepared to start a typical shift. A tiny pet with a number of wounds lay on the remedy desk throughout the room, visibly disturbed from her traumatic night.
The technician presently caring for the injured pet had a number of sufferers, so I assumed duty for her. I nonetheless recall my preliminary astonishment at seeing so many puncture wounds on such a small physique, in addition to her exceptional resilience contemplating what she had endured. As I realized extra about her state of affairs, I got here to understand how dire it was for this poor pet.
The injured pet was described as being thrown round like a rag doll after being attacked by two giant canines. The proprietor eagerly displayed her new pet to her neighbors by putting her on the bottom with their two grownup canines. With out information of acceptable canine introductions, she was shocked when the canines assault the small pet instantly.
The 6-week-old pet confronted sure mortality if we didn’t act instantly, and her proprietor couldn’t comprehend the gravity of the state of affairs. Her proprietor was simply sufficiently old to convey a companion by our doorways, however not sufficiently old to understand the continued care this pet would require.
After a number of diagnostic exams, it was decided that she had a mess of extreme accidents. She had quite a few fractured ribs, a fractured femur, and a fractured hip, and was in a state of shock on account of her ordeal. Even when she had been to outlive this trauma, she had a prolonged journey forward of her.
The younger proprietor was conscious that she couldn’t present the pet with the care she required sooner or later and was considering bringing her house as-is. At this juncture, I turned extraordinarily invested within the care of this pet and supplied to undertake her. This distinctive pet was quickly entrusted to my care, and my life together with her commenced.
After affectionately naming her Ellie, we started our prolonged street to restoration. I say “our” due to the difficulties I used to be experiencing on the time; I additionally had therapeutic to perform. Ellie entered my life simply as I used to be getting sober and assisted me by essentially the most tough endeavor I might ever undertake.
Ellie required an FHO (a sort of hip restore), exterior fixators in her femur for eight weeks, and a hospital keep in an effort to get well from shock. Her remedy was exhaustive and laborious, however in the end nicely value it. Eight weeks later, her fixators had been eliminated, enabling her to grow to be the rambunctious pet she had at all times desired to be!
Ellie turned the best good friend I might have ever requested for. She remained at my facet by sleepless nights, insufferable heartbreak, and each battle I might face in my sobriety journey.
I’ve been sober for 5 years, and I attribute a lot of my success to the love she confirmed me throughout my darkest days. In each method, Ellie is my coronary heart canine, and I can’t fathom my life with out her.
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.
