Final answer:
The dog likely has food poisoning from ingesting contaminated food or water containing preformed bacterial toxins. The best-matching answer is (D) Eaten bad food.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information given, the most likely issue Ferguson’s dog is facing could be related to ingestion of contaminated food or water. This condition often leads to food poisoning, which can occur from eating foods containing preformed bacterial toxins. Ingesting contaminated food can cause a variety of health issues in animals, similar to those in humans. While some conditions can be serious, such as spinal meningitis, and others can arise from environmental factors such as attacks by other animals, they seem less likely in this context. Given the options and our reference material, the most suitable answer would be (D) Eaten bad food, as this aligns with the symptoms of food poisoning due to consuming a preformed bacterial toxin in food. It is crucial to ensure that pets have access to clean food and water to avoid such health risks.