The popularity and love for companion pets in cities have led to a dramatic increase in the number of pets raised. However, due to the poor dissemination of pet parenting knowledge, we frequently encounter clinical cases where improper feeding and play cause pets to fall ill, sometimes severely threatening or even losing their lives. As doctors, how to reduce suffering and the loss of these lives has become a major responsibility for us. Promoting correct feeding and healthy nutrition knowledge is a common goal for all doctors. Doing a little for our beloved pets ensures their healthy growth, companionship for owners, making owners happy and full of positive energy!

　　This is a case of a 3-month-old Teddy dog that suffered severe pulmonary edema and serious abdominal distension due to the owner's feeding mistake. At the same time, a small stapler was found inside the intestines.

　　The pet brought in for treatment was noticed by the owner in the morning to have slightly abnormal breathing and mild abdominal distension. However, the clinic visit occurred only after 7 PM despite the breathing abnormalities. The dog showed neck extension breathing, extreme abdominal bloating, a large amount of stomach and intestinal content, pale conjunctiva, and lowered body temperature, threatening its life. During the consultation, it was learned that the pet was fed four times by four different family members within about an hour, causing abnormal gastric contents. The X-ray revealed an image of a stapler, with unknown origin and timing, raising the question of whether humans really know what pets ingest.

Foreign Object in Intestines

Foreign Object in Intestines

　　Of course, the pet was rescued and is no longer in danger, but this case brought me deep reflection on how we should truly treat our beloved pets! This requires a more thorough understanding.

　　How do we properly feed the small and lovely Teddy dog?

　　1. Try to keep the dog in a cage when family members are not at home; when people are home, it may be free-roaming. The premise is that all indoor areas accessible and lickable by the dog must be kept clean and free of dirt or foreign objects.

　　2. Understand the characteristics of the Teddy dog. Teddy dogs are smart, active, lively, with excellent memory, especially attached, quiet, mischievous as puppies but very affectionate with the owner, like to act cute, emotionally rich, confident and proud, shed little to no hair. As family companion dogs, they are suitable for children, require frequent grooming, easy to train, and very loyal to their owners. For this breed, extra care is needed as they require a struggle of will; you must dare to fight back and not let them bully you. You cannot spoil them by feeding whenever they want, as this easily causes diarrhea or lets them take advantage of you. Their intelligence and thinking are: if I want to do something and you stop me, I will howl; if you let me get what I want, next time I will try harder and louder until you give in.

　　3. Understand the physiology of Teddy dogs. Their fur is special; the length of their coat adds up to nearly 800 meters annually, meaning they have a very large amount of hair, with many hairs growing from one follicle. Their hair also requires special nutrition. For example, tyrosine deficiency causes hair color fading due to insufficient pigment formation. Anthocyanins can prevent congenital cataracts in Teddy dogs. Prohibiting standing and walking preserves the Teddy's patella and prevents patellar dislocation, etc.

　　4. Understand the nutritional value of dog food. Teddy dogs have very high demands on the nutritional composition of food. It is recommended to feed your baby with dog food specially formulated for purebred and Teddy dogs, tailored for their nutritional needs and effectively preventing hereditary diseases. The absorption of dog food by Teddies also depends on the size and composition ratio of the kibble, so we need to pay attention to dog health and the nutrition and professionalism of the dog food.

　　5. The principle of feeding is targeted diet and small frequent meals. Never stubbornly insist that feeding less will make the dog smaller; the dog's genes determine everything. Feeding less makes the dog gain less weight but the bones will still grow. A hungry dog becomes unhealthy and sick. As a responsible owner, having to miss work to take the dog to the vet is not worthwhile. For small Teddies, careful feeding with small frequent meals is essential. To prevent hypoglycemia and anemia, you can feed nutritional paste for dogs and blood-enriching supplements to aid nutrient absorption.