This article originally appeared on my ongoing series of articles for Flexcin International, Inc as Did Britney Spears’ Sick Dog, Hannah, Come from a Puppy Mill?
We recently informed Flexcin Blog readers about pop princess Britney Spears’ new canine companion and family member in the article: Who’s Britney’s New Bitch? Unfortunately, it turns out that little @HannahSpears has suffered multiple bouts of illness requiring her to spend time seeking treatment at the veterinary hospital. Does it have anything to do with where Britney bought her from?
What are Hannah Spears’ symptoms?
RadarOnline details Hanna’s hospitalization drama starting back in November 2012, when Spears “found Hannah listless, eyes half shut, not responding to voices, not eating, and having trouble breathing. She eventually went home, but by January 3 was back in for the third time. The poor pooch remained in the hospital until late afternoon Friday, undergoing tests for liver function and being monitored for an erratic temperature and fluid in the lungs. Her condition remains unstable and if it were not for Britney’s money and ability to pay the vet bills, Hannah would be dead by now”.
As puppies have immature immune systems and are prone to a variety of conditions related to their physical development, it’s not surprising to hear that Hannah has needed veterinary medical care.
Some of the most common issues affecting puppies requiring treatment include:
Respiratory Tract Infection and Irritation
Many bacterial and viral organisms and environmental irritants (dust, pollen, smoke, etc.) can cause inflammation of the eyes and respiratory tract (nasal passages, trachea, lungs, etc.). Clinical signs include cough, sneeze, eye and nasal discharge, lethargy, decreased appetite, and more.
Gastrointestinal Parasites
Coccidia, Giardia, Hookworm, Roundworm, Tapeworm, and Whipworm are parasitic organismscapable of infecting the digestive tract of puppies (and adult dogs and people) and causing diarrhea, vomit, and decreased appetite.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Hypoglycemia is commonly caused by a infection, inflammation, or other forms of stress on the body that use up available blood glucose (sugar). Unlike adults, puppies don’t have the same capacity to store glucose in the liver and will exhibit lethargy (tired behavior), ataxia (stumbling), or even coma when their glucose precipitously drops.
What Hannah’s condition appears to be
Based on the RadarOnline report, it sounds like Hannah had hypoglycemia, which can berelated to a congenital (present from birth) problem where blood does not properly flow through the liver for detoxification called portosystemic shunt (“liver shunt”). Additionally, she may have pneumonia (fluid in her lungs), which results from infection or aspirating (inhaling) food, water, vomit, or other substances.
The root of her problem?
Concerns exist about the circumstances around which Spears acquired Hannah. RadarOnline tells of Spears dropping $1,800 for Hannah at the Barkworks store in Thousand Oaks, CA. “Barkworks is a chain store that has come under intense criticism in the last few years for allegedly obtaining dogs from puppy mills and for false advertising, according to The Animal Legal Defense Fund which has a class action suit against the company, and the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) which has been actively protesting its practices. Its store in LA’s posh Westside Pavilion was shut down by the city of Los Angeles because of a number of sick animals found at the location. Barkworks even has an ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau” – RadarOnline.
Breeding mills only breed problems
If the concept of pet store puppies and kittens coming from breeding mills is new to you, it’s an unfortunate result of consumer demand for specific purebred dogs and cats. Adults and juvenile animals live in unsanitary conditions, receive inadequate grooming and medical care, and are continually bred with seemingly no concern for healthful outcome of their genetic pairings.
Pets are not shoes
Although I’m an advocate of people choosing the best pet that suits their lifestyle, I don’t agree with the practice of purchasing a pet seemingly on an impulse either in-store or on-line. Some cities, like West Hollywood in 2010, have even banned the sale of pets in stores. See: Our Companions: Banning Mill-Bred Animals Solves Only Part Of Problem
Be like Miley Cyrus
Bringing a pet into one’s home is a lifelong commitment to providing an enriching environment, appropriate nutrition, and medical care. This is a personal and financial responsibility for which not all people are suited. If you are looking for a new pet, we highly encourage rescuing a dog or cat and saving a life. Miley Cyrus is well known for rescuing dogs, and we praise her for that.
I hope that Hannah’s health conditions are expertly managed and she soon returns home to her human family.
Thank you for reading this article. Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond).
Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.
Copyright of this article (2013) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.
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