CARING for a pet is a difficult, though ultimately rewarding task, but caring for a disabled pet comes with a different set of challenges and some unique joys.
This was something that the Buchan family, from Leith, discovered when their eight-month-old Welsh terrier puppy Patsy was accidentally hit by a car on a beach trip last summer.
Mother-of-three Rozie Buchan, 45, said: "We had stopped in Dirleton a
nd one of my boys opened the car door. Patsy leapt out and we shouted her back, but it was too late.
"She was hit by a car and dragged some distance along the road, severing the tendons in her front left paw.
"The driver didn't see her coming and he stopped to help. He was extremely apologetic but the children were inconsolable, especially my middle child Kit who blamed himself for the accident."
Mrs Buchan, an interior designer, called Patsy's vet at the Links Veterinary Group who dispatched an emergency vet from their Haddington practice.
She added: "Poor Patsy was in a lot of pain and she was snapping at anyone tried to comfort her, so the vet gave her some morphine and took her in.
"He confirmed that the tendons had been severed and told us there was an 80 per cent chance she would lose the leg. He offered us the choice of patching up the leg and coming in every day for the next three months to have the dressings changed – which is a big commitment from us and a lot of stress for Patsy – or he could amputate.
"We felt that amputation was the best option as there was such a slim chance she would keep the leg even after the three months, and the vet assured us she would barely notice the difference." Now, four months on, mischievous "Basil Brush-lookalike" Patsy is back to her old self despite the missing paw, and running around as keenly as a four-legged dog.
"She runs around quite happily," said Mrs Buchan. "Apart from taking the odd nosedive when she over-stretches herself which, I have to admit, is quite funny."
Her good health is thanks to the specialist physiotherapy provided by Links animal physiotherapist Maeve Grant.
Ms Grant said: "We were able to get Patsy to re-balance on three legs through a technique called proprioception, which refocuses the awareness of the patient's limbs. We use a range of different devices including wobble-cushions and balance boards that are normally used in human physiotherapy to treat ankle injuries.
"Because Patsy is still young she managed to adapt very quickly, and the training was very enjoyable for her because she had the children with her keeping her entertained.
"Older dogs are still able to readjust to life on three legs after an injury, but it may take them a little bit longer to get used to it.
"As dogs get older there is always a risk of arthritis, and this is even more of a risk with amputee dogs because the three limbs are bearing all of the weight."
For more information on Links Vet Animal Hospital and Lothian Canine Rehabilitation Centre visit www.linksvet.co.uk or call 01620 822 262 (hospital) or 01620 825 888 (rehab centre)