A Tayside animal trainer is fundraising to help pay the vet bills for a dog with a rare disease.
Long-suffering Lucy, a rescue dog who has been through “horrific” abuse, found herself critically ill with Addison’s disease just weeks after being adopted.
Although she had a one in 10 chance of survival, the greyhound cross beat the odds and is now on the road to recovery.
But with vet bills of £1300 and ongoing costs of £100 a month, the treatment doesn’t come cheap – which is why Dundee’s Lesley Connelly is holding a prize bingo night to raise cash.
The dog behaviourist first got involved with Lucy’s struggle after her owner, Emma Sergeant, contacted her for help with the pet’s training.
Lesley said: “Lucy was very lucky to survice.
“I’ve collected £280 so far, but still need to raise much more.
“The family have taken a rescue dog, brought in all the way from Cyprus, so they deserve some help.”
Emma explained that because of her illness, Lucy has become emaciated by losing four kilos.
She first got Lucy in October, and her health seemed fine until a few weeks later.
Emma said: “When Lucy arrived she was beyond scared of everything.
“It took her weeks to trust me and she is still petrified of men. We believe she had been subjected to horrific physical abuse.
“So we weren’t too worried when she started acting a bit withdrawn, as it was normal for her.
“Even when she started having an upset stomach, we put it down to the stress of being in a new environment.
“But when we noticed that her gums were white, we immediately took her to the vet – it took a few blood tests to diagnose her.
“For a dog, an Addison’s crisis is deadly and nine out of 10 dogs die.
“But the Addison’s and kidney damage can be managed with the right medication and she can live a normal full life.
“In the meantime she needs to build up her strength by putting on weight.”
Lesley’s prize bingo fundraising night takes place on Friday at Cookies Bar, Hilltown, at 7pm.
Money can also be donated via Paypal at Boldfoundation@aol.co.uk
Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease is a condition that affects both humans and dogs.
It dogs is the common name for hypoadrenocorticism, or adrenal insufficiency.
The symptoms are common to many other illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose.
Initial signs include the dog being listless or depressed, with a loss of appetite.
Other symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhoea.
Some dogs have been known to have pain in their hind legs, tremors or muscle weakness, making it difficult to walk or jump.
There is no cure but once a dog is diagnosed, it can live a normal active life as long as it is given the correct medication.
