A distraught Aberdeen dog owner fears her cherished pet might have to be put down after it was hit by a mystery illness.
Yvonne Lawrie has spent hundreds of pounds in an effort to get to the bottom of Mitch’s condition, but is now desperately appealing for cash to help pay for an MRI scan which costs £1,500.
The 29-year-old has had a prosthetic leg since childhood and says the 11-year-old collie has helped her cope with her disability.
However, the Aberdeen University graduate has been unable to take her dog out for a walk since it first fell ill just before Christmas.
Miss Lawrie has been told that Mitch could have a form of meningitis or spinal cancer, both of which are potentially life-threatening.
Last night, she said she might have a tough decision to make in the coming weeks if the animal’s condition did not improve.
She added: “I took him out for a walk and he was a wee bit wobbly, it was like he was walking to one side. So I took him to the vets for an x-ray, but by Christmas Day, his bottom half was paralysed.
“He was unable to get up and I had to feed him by hand. He’s a bit better now but it’s not really a big improvement.
“He can walk, but he’s unsteady on his feet and he doesn’t want to get up. I try to take him out to do the toilet, but I am having to use puppy pads just now.”
Miss Lawrie was born with a birth defect, known as proximal femoral focal deficiency, which meant her femur did not grow properly and subsequently affected her hip bone.
She walks with a limp and stated that leaving the house was an anxious experience without her canine companion.
She added: “It’s almost like he takes me out a walk. He gives me a lot of confidence because I can feel people looking at my limp, but when I am with Mitch, everyone just pays attention to him.”
Miss Lawrie has set up a donations page at www.gofundme.com/help-get-mitch-walking-again
Mitch has been ill since just before Christmas.
