A Cumbrian dog lover has shared the inspiring story of her two-year-old labrador, Barney, and his remarkable fight to stay on all fours.

Michelle Newlove, from Whitehaven, grew concerned when Barney was just a puppy.

Michelle said: “We realised early on that something wasn’t quite right with the way Barney walked.

“He was around six months old and we took him to our local vets where X-rays showed he had what’s called bilateral hip dysplasia, which is where both hip joints have developed abnormally.

“We were absolutely devastated for him. It was so sad for us knowing he would never be able to be like other active dogs.

“He loved to play with our other dogs and play with balls. He loved his walks but potentially all this was gone.

“We were sent to Kentdale Referrals for expert analysis and treatment and vet Gemma Holloway reassured us it wasn’t such a worst-case scenario.

“She said Barney could still have a lovely life with education and changing a few day-to-day things.”

At Kentdale Referrals, Barney was under the care of veterinarian Gemma Holloway, who reassured the family that there was hope for Barney.

Holloway, a European specialist in small animal surgery, took a conservative approach due to Barney's young age, starting him on a course of anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam.

Michelle said: “The treatment was working really well for a while but then, out of the blue, Barney started limping on his front legs.

“We returned to Kentdale and he was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia. Heartbroken was an understatement."

This time, Barney required surgery.

Vet Gemma Holloway said: “He underwent a bilateral elbow arthroscopy with subtotal coronoidectomy the next day, with injections of joint treatment Arthramid into both his elbows.

“This was followed up by three shockwave sessions per week.

“Long-term physiotherapy and mobility management was advised to ensure his elbow condition was not detrimental to his hips and his owners followed all our post-op management advice very well.

“The result is Barney has made a good recovery which we verified when he recently came in for his latest round of maintenance physiotherapy on his birthday!”

Michelle praised the team at Kentdale Referrals.

She said: "Gemma, Barney’s vet, was highly skilled and Emma, the physio taking care of him, is great. They put the animals first and the care the pets receive is second to none.”