Adorable puppy learns to walk again after freak accident left him paralysed
Heart-melting footage has revealed how an adorable puppy learned how to walk and wag his tail again after becoming paraplegic in a freak accident.
Sussex spaniel Elton has proved new dogs can learn old tricks by making a remarkable recovery after he fell off a 50cm wall and landed on his back.
Eleven-week-old Elton was rushed to the vets who told distraught owner, Philippa Gascoyne, that he had severely bruised his spinal cord and may never walk again.
But the plucky puppy defied expectations and is now back on his paws again.
Elton was admitted to Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull, West Midlands, for intensive physiotherapy sessions.
He underwent daily physiotherapy sessions and laser therapy to stimulate the muscles in his back and tail.
After just two weeks, he was well enough to return home to Philippa – and take on a starring role in Channel 5 show, The Dog Hospital, alongside master dog trainer, Graeme Hall, known as the ‘Dogfather’.
Recalling the moment he plunged off the wall, Philippa, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, said: ‘It was awful, especially as I was only two metres from him when it happened.
‘Elton just jumped off a small wall that borders the garden path and you can’t understand how such a small fall can cause such horrific injuries.
‘It destroyed me inside to know I had not been able to prevent it happening.
‘He was squealing on the floor. I tried to get him to stand up but there was nothing in his back legs, no movement at all and not even a wag of his tail.’
Veterinary physiotherapist Holly Finelli said: ‘Elton was completely paraplegic when he came to us.
‘He had no movement of his back legs or tail and we were not sure whether he would regain movement again.
The fact he was a such a young puppy added to the challenge as he was very playful and couldn’t concentrate on a particular activity for long.
‘We soon found food was the way to his heart! This enabled a slightly longer concentration time to perform the physiotherapy.’
Elton has now regained full mobility and was discharged from the care of Willows after six months.
Philippa added: ‘To have him back on his legs means more than you can imagine. I’m so happy and I can’t thank Holly and Willows enough.’
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