Veterinarians are sounding the alarm as they see a growing number of coughing dogs.
Wendy Brown’s three golden retrievers — Bridge, Dooley and Lulu — are among the dogs who started showing symptoms earlier this November.
“Dooley started doing kind of this huffing and also seemed to feel quite lethargic,” Brown recalled to “Good Morning America.” “Not too long after, Bridge began to exhibit the symptoms. But his were louder, more boisterous. I thought it was his stomach because he made like a retching sound.”
Initially, Brown thought her pets had a typical kennel cough but when their symptoms didn’t subside, she knew it was something more serious.
“The vet started him on a 10-day cycle of doxycycline. Today was day 10 and he is not a lot better,” Brown said.
Brown, an Idaho resident, said she’s still not sure what could have caused her dogs’ illness in the first place.
While research is underway, veterinarians say the mystery illness is highly contagious and can be fatal. Reported symptoms so far have also been typical of a kennel cough and they include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge and lethargy.
“Instead of that dry cough where the dog felt good, it was now this wet cough where the dog felt sick,” Amanda Cavanagh, the section head of the urgent care service at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, told “GMA.”
Experts like Cavanagh said any dogs showing signs of consistent coughing should be brought to a vet to be examined.
“We can ultrasound the lungs to see if there is a problem that is related to pneumonia or the contagious pneumonia that seems to be going around,” Cavanagh said.
Cavanagh also recommends keeping any coughing dogs away from other dogs and for two weeks after the cough goes away.
“Heartbreaking Appeal: Abandoned Puppy Clings to Hope with Plea for Rescue”
In a world where compassion often shines its brightest in the midst of adversity, a poignant story of a vulnerable puppy’s plea for help has stirred the hearts of many, serving as a powerful reminder that acts of kindness can transcend even the harshest circumstances. The scene opens with a small, abandoned puppy adorned with a heart-wrenching sign that reads “Help Me,” a desperate cry for assistance that almost went unnoticed by a world seemingly too busy to care.
The story unfolds as a young child stumbles upon the sight of this forlorn puppy, shivering and hungry, left to fend for itself. With innocence and empathy, the child recognizes the urgent need for intervention and makes a call to those who can offer help.
Responding swiftly and compassionately, a dedicated team from an animal welfare organization arrives on the scene. Armed with warmth, nourishment, and a deep-seated commitment to making a difference, these volunteers extend a lifeline to the trembling puppy. Wrapping it in soft blankets, offering sustenance, and cradling it with the utmost gentleness, they exemplify the power of human empathy in its purest form.
The puppy’s journey from despair to hope is a testament to the strength of collective compassion. As it devours the offered sustenance with a hunger that goes beyond the physical, the transformation begins. With each bite, the puppy is nourished not only in body but also in spirit, finding a flicker of hope amidst its dire circumstances.
Soon after satiating its hunger, the puppy’s weariness takes over, and it drifts into a peaceful slumber. This vulnerable state serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of all creatures, a reminder that resonates with the viewer’s sense of empathy.
As the puppy awakens, a beautiful metamorphosis takes place. In the company of kind-hearted individuals and the comforting presence of other dogs, the once-desolate creature begins to flourish. Its playful interactions and moments of unadulterated joy become a beacon of resilience, a testament to the capacity for happiness and healing even after facing abandonment.
The heartwarming narrative of this rescued puppy touches on themes of responsibility and compassion, inviting reflection on our roles as stewards of the animals that share our world. It is a stark reminder that each life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, carries its own inherent worth and deserves a chance to thrive.
The final chapter of this story is one of promise and commitment. The compassionate individuals who stepped in to save this puppy’s life also vowed to give it a forever home. The once-abandoned puppy will now be cherished as a member of a loving family, a testament to the enduring impact of compassion and care.
This heartrending tale of rescue and redemption demonstrates that in a world often marred by indifference, a simple act of kindness can become a catalyst for change. The puppy’s plea for help, conveyed through a handwritten sign, touched hearts around the globe, uniting people in a shared sense of empathy and determination.
As we reflect on this story, let it serve as a call to action—a reminder that our compassion can reshape lives, that our empathy can bridge the gaps of understanding, and that our collective effort can make a world of difference for those who cannot advocate for themselves. The tale of the adorable, abandoned puppy with a heartfelt plea is a testament to the power of compassion, a testament that resonates far beyond its pages and encourages us all to be the change we wish to see in the world.
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