IN PICTURES: Wheelie good news for poorly pug Gus
An adorable pug born with a crippling spine condition has been given a lifeline – after four different vets told his owners to have him put down.
When pedigree pooch Gus, from Great Barr, was diagnosed with hemivertebrae - which causes deformed wedge-shaped vertebrae and curves in the spine – his devastated owner, Sasha Alexander, 27, was told the only option was to have him put down.
The former sales assistant was heartbroken but refused to give up on her five-month-old puppy - but after seeking several different opinions, four different vets all advised that Gus should be put to sleep.
She began researching online and after visiting another vet for a fifth opinion, Sasha contacted a company who gave him a doggie wheelchair.
The vet bills and wheelchair have cost her more than £1,000 – but she claims it's a small price to pay to see Gus running in the park alongside his brother, Reggie.
"At first we all thought Gus had pulled a muscle as he was limping and struggling to hold his balance.
"He was just five months old at the time so we presumed it was nothing serious.
"But when it failed to improve he was booked in for an X-ray - that's when we were told about his deformed spine.
"The vertebras down from his neck had all failed to grow properly and that was causing problems to his spinal cord.
"I was told Gus's best option and to end suffering was to have him put down.
"If he wasn't put down then I was told at most he would live just a few months longer anyway - I was devastated.
"I knew I had to give him a chance at life, he was such a happy puppy before his problems started and I was desperate to get him back in the park.
"Thankfully after visiting a fifth vet, I was told about special wheelchairs for dogs and the rest is history.
"Gus has just celebrated his first birthday and there's no signs of his condition getting worse at the moment."
Mrs Alexander has forked out £300 for Gus's new set of wheels and more than £700 in vet bills and food supplements.
She added: "Gus now needs glucosamine oil and joint tablets to help ease the pain in his spine.
"We're hoping it doesn't get any worse but if he was left in any pain we would have to reassess whether it was fair to keep him alive.
"His spine condition is believed to be genetic so somewhere along the breeding line there's a problem.
"I hope other hopeful dog owners research breeders before they purchase a dog so they can ensure they are safe and accredited.
"If it wasn't for Wheels4Dogs Gus wouldn't be able to go on walkies or run after his brother, Reggie.
"I'm so grateful for all their help and it has given Gus a second lease of life, it's amazing watching him chase after his brother.
"Me and my husband, Paul, have set up a GoFundMe Page for Gus so we can fund his future adaptations."
To read more and donate to Gus's fundraising page, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/guspiethepug
