The story below was written by the owner of a Retreat for Dogs who have had a bad start in life one way or another and rehomed as working dogs wherever possible to give them the life they deserve. This is a very worthy cause and the help they give to dogs in invaluble but costly. They are very passionate and caring and really need help to care for these dogs, this is one particular dog that I am wanting to help, read his story below.

A very special Labrador Pup...aged 12 weeks... born absolutely fine and developed as expected..until week 5!!

Around 5 weeks of age he started shaking his head and foaming from the mouth & nose..this happened on two occasions ...At 6 weeks he showed signs of weakness on his back legs described as ' walking like he was drunk' then all of a sudden within the space of a few hours one morning the back legs went from a wobbly uncoordinated state to rigid! Both back legs had gone in to full muscle contracture rendering pup unable to walk.....

Vets were contacted throughout this process and also a 2nd opinion vet contacted who were baffled with this boys condition! I was contacted via my colleague and forwarded a video with a message can we help? I started researching this condition..but to research something you know little about and where to start!

I know that GSDs are known for leg problems so googled GSD's with straight legs which led me to Straight leg Shepherds and there I saw images resembling this pup and a couple of videos with GSD's exactly the same as this pup! My search led me to a lady in N.Carolina called Jo Leicester who explained In detail what may be happening with this pup...

"Many People think 'Straight Leg Syndrome' is a disease. Which it isn't . The straight legs are caused by muscle contractures of the sartorius and/or quadriceps which lead to a variety of orthopaedic deformities & anomalies and are secondary to another problem be it orthopaedic, neurologic or parasitic.

I know of 3 GSD's & 2 Labs that have tested positive for Neospora (the straight legs are a classic sign) which is why I asked about this guy. Left untreated Neospora progresses and can be fatal. Treatment is simple!! Antibiotics.. although once the legs are straight they will never return to normal. The pup will be fine These guys are well adapted..just don't try to fix them I have adopted 4 straight legs...3 died of old age and the 4th is still going strong."

This lady gave me the subject to research and I have found it fascinating to study... and I truly thank her...

Long chat with my vet pre Pup coming in and asked for specific testing .

Information sent through to my vet from previous vets on what tests were done.....12 hour round trip with co driver to collect pup. My vet ready to receive us. Bloods/Muscle biopsy done....and now we sit and await the results.!

I have spoken to another lady who has a young cocker spaniel who has been confirmed Neospora caninum....she forwarded her videos to me which I forwarded to the owner of this pup and the progression has been identical.

This pup is so loving and he refuses to let his back legs hinder him! If this is as far as this disease goes then this pup can have a good quality of life..

Physio/hydrotherapy are next .