A PUPPY left paralysed after contracting a potentially fatal parasite is back on her feet after a Braintree vets spent a year caring for her.

Rescue Dogue De Bordeaux cross puppy Honey is paralysed from the neck down as the result of a lungworm parasite.

She is thought to have caught the parasite after eating slugs and snails.

But after more than 12 months of intensive physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and round-the-clock care from Millennium Veterinary Practice Honey is now on the mend.

Despite still being wobbly on her legs Honey can now move around independently and is ready to find her forever home.

Steph Gowers, veterinary nurse at Millennium Vets in Braintree, said: “My colleague Hannah Bourn and I have become very attached to Honey since she arrived at the practice in April 2015.

Braintree and Witham Times:

“She’s such a lovely dog and has done amazingly well since she arrived here.

“She is loved by all the staff at the practice, but she really deserves a loving permanent home.

“She is still very wobbly when she walks and requires a lot of encouragement, but she now has a level of independence that we are very pleased with and we feel she is now ready to be rehomed by the right person.”

Dogs can become infected with lungworm after eating common garden slugs and snails, or potentially even after swallowing the slime of an infected slug.

Once inside the dog’s system, the parasite travels through the body eventually ending up in the heart.

If the infection is left untreated, the dog’s health can rapidly deteriorate, and can even result in death.

The Be Lungworm Aware campaign, led by Bayer Animal Health is supporting Honey’s search for a new home by providing treatment and food until her new owner is found.

They will also pay the physiotherapy costs for the first year after Honey‘s adoption to assist the new owners with her further recovery.

Hannah added: “Honey is extremely brave, loveable and strong willed with a cheeky personality to match and we have all become very attached to her.

“She is a good natured dog and loves being around children. Her favourite pastime is running in the park with her dog pals who in turn encourage her to exercise her legs.”

If you or someone you know is interested in potentially rehoming Honey or would like to know more about her story, call 01376 325511 or via email admin@millenniumvets.co.uk.