A Leonberger puppy is able to walk again after months of being unable to move her legs.

Mia was just 12 weeks old when owners Marc and Marion Fricker found her lying on the ground and unable get up. Despite this, Mia was still wagging her tail and moving her head.

 The couple rushed Mia to vets in their hometown of Bexley, who then referred her to Linnaeus-owned Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hertfordshire.

Jack Galer, an RCVS-recognised specialist in veterinary neurology at Davies, said: "When Mia arrived with us her breathing was affected, so we moved her to an oxygen tent for monitoring. 

"She was found to have a neuromuscular disease and was showing severe signs, with almost no movement in her legs. She was very young to have a condition like this and we did worry she could be left with permanent leg abnormalities."

Mia spent nearly four weeks as an inpatient at Davies undergoing treatment and veterinary physiotherapy.

When she began to improve, vet Jack recommended she go home where she could be around her owner's other dogs – two fellow Leonbergers.

 Marion carried out Mia's daily treatments by following a bespoke video created by Davies' veterinary physiotherapists Sarah Conley and Di Messum.

The hard work by the Davies team and Mia's dedicated owners meant nearly two months after her diagnosis, Mia was able to start walking again.

Marion said: "Jack had called me each day with updates while Mia was an inpatient. It was wonderful to have her back home as soon as she was able and just a short time later she amazingly stood up and took a few steps.

"Since then, she has continued to improve and she has gone from being wheeled around in a buggy to now running about."

While Mia has now finished her physiotherapy course, Marion takes her to hydrotherapy twice a week.

Marion added: "She loves swimming at hydrotherapy and I'm sure it is helping to improve her strength.

"Mia is our miracle and it's all thanks to Jack and the team. I couldn't praise Davies highly enough." 

Jack added: "Mia has some ongoing mobility issues as a result of the neurological disease but she is leading a very happy life.

 "Mia has certainly left her mark on all of us here – she became a star patient with the nurses as she was with us for so long and was very popular. Many of the nurses still ask me about how she is getting on now.

"It's great to see Mia running around again and loving life!" 

For more information about Davies and the wide range of specialist-led services it offers, visit https://vetspecialists.co.uk/ or search for them on Facebook or LinkedIn.