Dog overcomes disabilities with Brentknoll Veterinary help

Six-year-old, N'zoo, cared for at Brentknoll Veterinary Centre in Worcester, had been struggling with walks and his excessive weight.

Rikki Burford, the clinical director and veterinary diagnostic imager at Brentknoll, was in charge of N’zoo's lameness assessment.

Ms Burford determined several lameness sites in the dog's shoulders, elbows, back and hips.

N'zoo after losing the excess weight (Image: Brentknoll)

A series of blood tests and a CT scan helped pinpoint the disorder's origin.

The revelation showed N’zoo was burdened with elbow dysplasia, early-onset arthritis, bicep impingement in both shoulders, intervertebral joint disease in his lumbar spine, and lumbosacral disease.

Brentknoll's team devised a treatment strategy to manage his lameness.

Ms Burford said: "Brentknoll has a fantastic team and we are able to offer the very latest treatments available on the veterinary market, with N’zoo's owners keen to give him this option.

"The equipment and skills here can not only help our patients, but also referral patients needing more specialised treatments."

As part of his therapy, N’zoo received direct medication injections into his joints and tissues to enhance mobility, comfort and aid in repair.

Dietary changes were also prescribed and N’zoo’s rehabilitation began.

The first chiropractic appointment saw N’zoo lighter by an impressive 10kg, and walking more comfortably.

Additional treatments included laser therapy and targeted hydrotherapy to improve his front leg muscles, alleviate back tension and enhance overall mobility.

N’zoo’s owner, Sue Crowley from Evesham, said: "N’zoo's always been on the larger side but he was attacked by another dog a few years ago and I believe this was the start of his mobility issues.

"I can’t fault the care he’s received at Brentknoll, not least his hydrotherapy sessions with Laura, and the amount of weight he has lost, which we will continue to keep a close eye on going forward."