One-year-old Staffie hops and skips on walks
The RSPCA are hoping to find a forever home for Staffordshire bull terrier Winston, who has been diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease that causes him to ‘wobble’ when he walks.
One-year-old Winston arrived at RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District Branch as a stray. Staff and volunteers raised concerns with veterinary surgeons when they realised he had a roached back, wobbly gait and tense muscles throughout his body. A few days after his arrival, when he was out on a walk, Winston collapsed.
“We took him to the vets and started monitoring him very closely,” said branch animal support worker Kathy Butler, “We started to notice the tensions through his body, his odd wobbly gait - where his back end hops, skips and jumps - and his muscle cramps. We also noticed that he’d struggle when reaching down to his bowls with his hind legs rising up off of the floor.”
After multiple consultations with a number of veterinary surgeons, Winston was diagnosed with the unusual double mutation of L2hga or L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria – a debilitating disease for which there is no cure and very little treatment.
Ms Butler continued: “We’ve now got Winston on medication and supplements, as recommended to us by vets, but what we really want is to find him an understanding and loving new home where he can enjoy his life - however long left of it he has.
“He’s a lovely natured lad who hasn’t had a great start in life and can be a little worried by new things and strange situations. But he’s incredibly friendly, loves people and enjoys being with other dogs.”
More information on Winston can be found on his online profile.
Image (c) RSPCA.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
