Paralysed dog walks again

9 October 2009

A dog who was paralysed has taken his first steps after pioneering treatment by scientists at Cambridge University.

Experts hope the procedure could eventually be used to help humans with severe spinal injuries after its success in getting Henry back on his feet.

Henry, a smooth-haired Miniature Dachshund, was unable to walk after discs ruptured in his spine last November.

Now the six-year-old dog is walking and wagging his tail after scientists at Cambridge Veterinary School took cells from his nose and injected them back into his spine.

"It's incredible, I didn't think Henry would ever be able to walk again, but over the last few months he has been wagging his tail and taking small steps," said owner Sarah Beech, 34, from Birmingham.

"The vet told me to put him to sleep because he wouldn't have a very good quality of life and he was very depressed. But this treatment has really helped."

Henry had always enjoyed going for walks but suddenly lost the use of his legs about a year ago.

"One day he yelped when I picked him up and two days later he couldn't walk," she added.

Henry was given an operation to ease the pressure on his spine, but it didn't work.

Then Sarah heard about the new treatment for severe spinal cord injuries and decided to enlist him in the trial.

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/paralysed_dog_walks_again