AN eight-year-old Terrier is ‘acting like a puppy’ again after receiving physiotherapy treatment at a Borders veterinary clinic.  

Tweed, a Lakeland Terrier, had struggled to walk due to osteoarthritis before the treatment.

She was diagnosed with arthritis after developing a limp causing her to walk on her tiptoes and thickened skin on the pads of her paws.

Tweed then went on to receive treatment at Greenside Veterinary Practice.

Sofia Roy Sanabra, veterinary physiotherapist at Greenside, said: “Tweed’s owner had been walking her for 20 minutes, twice daily, but even with the short walks, Tweed sometimes refused to go.

“She was also slightly overweight due to the lack of activity since she had puppies and was later spayed.

“Her front paws were very sensitive to touch, her joints restricted and her back legs were weak due to not being used.”

At Greenside practice, Tweed began physiotherapy involving a laser, deep tissue massage and stretches for her joints and then was introduced to hydrotherapy in an underwater treadmill.

Ann Wood, Tweed’s owner, said: “She mostly enjoys the treat enticement in the hydrotherapy pool – and occasionally drinking the water before we can stop her.

“The bit she likes least is wearing her goggles for laser treatment – though she does look very cute! The difference the treatment has made is immense.

“Tweed acts like a playful puppy again, she is clearly not in pain anymore but also far more agile, strong and always in high spirits – too high sometimes, but then that’s terriers!”

She still has regular physio sessions to prevent flare-ups, but now enjoys walks again with the family’s other dog, Jimmy.

Greenside Veterinary Practice has clinics in St Boswells and Jedburgh, for more information visit www.greensidevetpractice.co.uk.