If anyone deserves a warm, relaxing bath, it’s Rudy the Pit Bull. He arrived at a New York City shelter last November after being found dumped in a plastic bucket in horrible shape.
He barely had any fur and his skin was riddled with deep wounds likely from being burned with battery acid and several ƈigareƗƗe burns.
He also could not walk because of a severely broken front leg. To add to his already horrible condition, he has Cushings Disease that went untreated.
The city shelter called the Northeast chapter of Special Needs Animal Rescue Rehabilitation (SNARR) for help and their director, Courtney Bellew rescued him.
Although, Courtney is used to caring for critically injured animals, seeing Rudy broke her heart. She told the Huffington Post that his front leg was in such bad shape, she refused to photograph it.
Rudy was traumatized emotionally as well. “It is a miracle this broken boy survived,” the group wrote on Facebook. “Other than being completely terrified and unsure of a kind human hand, Rudy was grateful and nothing but a lovebug from the minute we rescued him.”
One thing that has helped Rudy tremendously are medicated baths.
The group shared a video of Rudy getting one of his special spa baths, which are helping his skin and fur heal.
Note: the video may take a few seconds to load.
Follow this link if you cannot see the video https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=407538642739918
Luckily, his foster parents are veterinarians and can give him all the medical attention he needs while he heals.
They also have a beautiful New England farm home where his spirit can heal and he’s surrounded by love. His days are filled with friends: children, dogs, cats and barn animals like Harold the lamb.
“Rudy’s eyes are filled with love and hope and he has a way of grabbing your heart instantly when he looks at you,” Courtney told HuffPost. “He has always appreciated being doted on and still does today, as you saw with his spa treatments. I’m just so glad we are able to show him a good life.”
And they continued to show him a good life right up until his passing. In an update to the original story above, I’ve learned Rudy has since passed on due to complications with his spinal disease.
SNARR and his foster family spoiled Rudy as much as they possibly could before he passed on. I’m thankful that Rudy was able to live his final months surrounded by love.
Follow the wonderful rescue work SNARR does on their Facebook page.
Please share Rudy’s story with your friends in remembrance of this brave, loving pup!
———
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.