In a state of shock! Hillside Animal Sanctuary reveals pet dog was so badly neglected she could not see or walk

Towser's hair became so matted she found it difficult to relieve herself. Picture: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Image: Hillside Animal Sanctuary)

A pet dog was left fighting for her life after her coat became so overgrown she could no longer see or walk.

Towser's coat was so badly matted that she also had trouble relieving herself - causing problems with her bladder.

She was handed in to Hillside Animal Sanctuary at Frettenham, near Norwich, along with pet pal Bobby, after their elderly owner was rushed into hospital.

And staff at the charity, which cares for unwanted and abused animals, revealed they were shocked at the terrier-type animals' neglected state.

Bobby was also in need of intensive veterinary care and treatment. Picture: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Image: Hillside Animal Sanctuary)

They sedated both dogs to allow them to carefully remove their coats, which revealed Towser's eyes, ears, and legs were deeply infected and very sore.

Treating the pair cost the charity more than £600.

Then Hillside staff were faced with the heart-breaking decision of whether or not to put Towser to sleep after an X-ray revealed that, following difficulties relieving herself, she had accumulated 200 bladder stones and surgery would be required to remove them.

However, after a successful operation, they confirmed both dogs are on the mend and now, with the total vet bill standing at £1500, they are appealing for donations from readers to allow them to help more animals like Towser and Bobby in the future.

Towser (right) and Bobby (left) are recovering from their ordeal after being taken into the care of Hillside Animal Sanctuary. Picture: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Image: Hillside Animal Sanctuary)

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'We were only too pleased to help Towser and Bobby in an emergency situation after their elderly owner had been taken into hospital.

'However, on their arrival, we were totally shocked at their neglected condition - Towser was so matted that she could neither walk nor see. Her coat was so overgrown that she had trouble relieving herself and it was discovered on X-ray, that her bladder was full of crystalised stones due to her not being able to wee properly.

'Already having spent over £600 treating Towser and Bobby, we were faced with the decision of whether or not to risk an operation for Towser to remove the bladder stones to give her a chance of a normal life after she had suffered so badly for several years.

'Although it would have been easy 'to let her go', we took the decision to try and save her. Her life was certainly hanging in the balance but, fortunately, after spending several days with the vet, the surgery to remove 200 stones from her bladder was successful, and she is now on the road to recovery.'