Schnauzer's 140-mile journey for spinal surgery

A dog has made a "remarkable recovery" after a 140-mile journey to have spinal surgery.

Seven-year-old Eevee, a miniature schnauzer had been in such pain from a mystery neck ailment she had no quality of life and her owners Sarah Whitehead and partner Neil couldn't even touch her.

Eevee travelled from Jersey to be treated by Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, (SCVS) in Ringwood, Hampshire by using 3D-printed guides for life-changing surgery.

Sarah said: "She is much happier, hasn't squealed once since we got her back, her tail's up, her eyes are brighter and she's barking and running around again like her old self".

Sarah said: "Eevee started squealing in pain and, after scans, our own vets found a little piece of metal in her stomach.

"They thought that might be the problem and operated to remove it, but she was still screaming.

"None of the medications and physiotherapy sessions she had made any difference."

"She couldn't bear to be touched around her head or neck and just looked so miserable and lethargic," she added.

The team at SCVS did tests which pinpointed a cyst and dangerous spinal instability.

Vet, Francesca Raimondi said: "It was a very delicate procedure where we had to operate to place screws between two of the vertebrae in the spine.

"Every millimetre is critical and if you get it wrong there can be very serious consequences.

"So we printed custom 3D guides to help us position the screws precisely."

Raimondi said: "It was an even more challenging procedure as we also had to operate from a different direction to deal with the cyst, where we used titanium mesh."

Eevee has made remarkable progress since the operation and her stitches have recently dissolved.