When Gidget, a 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, arrived at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center in New York City, she was thin with matted, unkempt fur and had a recent history of blunt force trauma. The New York Police Department had just rescued her after someone had observed her owner kicking and punching her on the sidewalk days before Halloween.

Once safely in our care, our expert veterinary staff got to work getting this sweet girl back to health.

“That’s where Gidget’s story got extra interesting,” said Dr. C, a veterinarian at the ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center . “As part of a forensic workup, all dogs receive comprehensive lab work. Gidget's repeatedly showed several specific changes, including a particular type of anemia, an unusual crystal in her urine and changes to her liver values, that were suggestive of a congenital liver issue.…