We’ve all been there: Stomach cramping, struggling to use the bathroom, unsure of what could possibly be causing all this pain — only to realize it’s constipation.
It’s a tale 4-week-old puppy Tyler also knows a little too well.
Tyler — a Chihuahua mix that animal shelter Austin Pets Alive! described as “about the size of a large guac from Chipotle Mexican Grill” — was on the shelter’s veterinarian radar for not having much energy or appetite, something that is extremely unusual for a growing puppy.
Earlier in the week, he started struggling to go to the bathroom, even making sounds of pain when he tried.
For a young male dog, this can be a sign of an emergency medical problem, so the little dog was rushed to APA!’s pet hospital for an urgent visit.
“Tyler got what must be the world’s tiniest X-ray to check his little body for signs of anything blocking his urinary tract or causing other internal problems,” a press release from APA! said.
“Turns out, he’s been extremely constipated.”
Tyler is now on medication to help, but medical teams are still monitoring his recovery because he is still significantly smaller than his siblings and has had trouble gaining weight.
“APA! will be keeping a close eye on him and doing all we can to help him recover and grow strong,” the statement concludes.
For now, Tyler is living with a foster family, his mom, and his four siblings, and will be ready for adoption in just a few weeks once he’s nursed back to health and old enough to find his forever home.
While Tyler’s story is as adorable as it is upsetting, it’s indicative of the kind of lengths APA! will travel to help an animal in need.
Earlier in the month, the organization was instrumental in saving the lives of over 600 pets displaced by devastating floods in Texas. With the help of donors and community volunteers stepping up to foster, the organization was able to support rescue and sheltering efforts in Kerr County and beyond.
“Among the darkness, Texans and people beyond have been beacons of light for each other. We’ll never be able to say it enough: YOU have made a difference for the pets and people who love them through this disaster,” a statement from the shelter said.
“We strive at APA! to be a gap filler where there aren't resources, like the immediate response to a disaster specifically for pets.”
In January of this year, the organization also founded Matilda Day, honoring the birthday of a beloved dog who was rescued from the shelter and later passed away. With community donors, APA! raised $20,000 to help senior dogs get adopted.
“[Matilda’s] legacy shows us what’s possible when a community comes together to care for the animals who need us most,” Dr. Ellen Jefferson, president and CEO of APA! said in a statement. “Let’s honor her memory by turning compassion into action for our companion animals.”
Header image courtesy of Austin Pets Alive!
