Luther’s ‘wheely’ enjoying his walks thanks to his owner and DWR Veterinary Specialists.
Spirited Dog Back To 'wheely' Enjoying His Walks
3 months ago 
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A much-loved rescue dog is enjoying his walks once again thanks to the dedication of a Cambridgeshire animal hospital and his determined owners.
Twelve-year-old Luther, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, has long had an unusual walking style due to arthritis.
However, things took a turn for the worse recently when vets at Linnaeus-owned DWR Veterinary Specialists were asked to see Luther to treat perineal hernias affecting the muscles which support either side of the rectum.
This condition is not uncommon in older male dogs and can cause serious problems with passing faeces. The longer the condition is present, the more the muscles weaken and the more serious the signs become.
In some cases, the bladder can turn 180 degrees and end up stuck in the hernia in a swelling next to the anus which can also prevent normal urination. Luther was also diagnosed with prostate gland and testicular issues.
Luther underwent surgery to treat his ailments and following the successful operation his forward-thinking owner bought him a set of wheels to help his rehabilitation and reignite his love of walks.
His loving owner Victoria Towers from Uppingham, in Rutland, said: “Luther had arthritic back legs before the operation, the left being the more vulnerable one which has deteriorated.
“So, we decided to get him some wheels which have been a real success, he's amazing on them and they are actually helping him with his rehabilitation.”
Getting Luther on the road to recovery and back on his feet included an operation to repair the hernias, while due to the enlargement of the prostate, the testicular tumour and the presence of hernias, Luther was also castrated as it has been shown to reduce the recurrence rates in dogs with perineal hernias after surgery.
Rachel Hattersley, specialist in soft tissue surgery and Head of Theatre at DWR Veterinary Specialists near Six Mile Bottom, said: “Initially, Luther was very unsteady on his feet after surgery but with the expert nursing care he received here at DWR and with his owner once he was home, Luther is back enjoying his walks and can now pass faeces comfortably again.
“He is a really happy boy and has a great zest for life and it was a pleasure to meet and treat him at DWR.”
Victoria added: “Luther’s quality of life now is good. He enjoys his food, walks and still plays with his toys. We had every confidence in the vet, Rachel, who performed the operation. We would absolutely recommend DWR without a doubt.”
DWR Veterinary Specialists offers specialist-led care in anaesthesia and analgesia, dentistry, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic pathology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, interventional radiology, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedics, physiotherapy and soft tissue surgery.
For more information on DWR Veterinary Specialists, visit www.dickwhitereferrals.com or search for DWR Veterinary Specialists on social media.
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