A Dundee vet saved the “most smashed-up dog” he had seen in his career after the it was mowed down by a hit-and-run driver.
Stuart Ashworth of Parkside Vets patched up eight-month-old Baxter who was left with multiple life-threatening injuries including three badly broken legs, multiple pelvis fractures and skin torn off one of his paws.
The black Labrador has now made a full recovery after months of treatment, rehabilitation and check-ups.
Stuart, an advanced practitioner in small animal orthopaedics, said: “Baxter was certainly a poorly soul.
“He had multiple injuries including a broken pelvis on both sides, femur fractured in three places and a dislocated elbow.
“Three out of his four legs were badly broken but because he’s such a young dog and really nice-natured, he was a good patient and managed to recover.”
Baxter’s owner, Paul Montgomery, recounted the horrific incident in his home town of Banchory that left his pet “yelping” in pain back in October.
He said: “The vet told me he was the most smashed-up dog he had ever seen in his career.
“It all happened so quickly. I was at my fiance’s parents’ house and Baxter managed to sneak out through the garage.
“A car went past and hit Baxter at high speed.
“There was a big bang, there’s no way the driver won’t have been aware, but they just drove off with the engine revving.
“Baxter was yelping and came running in – he was in a very bad state.”
Paul said that he and his fiance April Neish immediately took Baxter to their local vet, who was “not very optimistic”.
He said: “We were told that if he survives the night, we should take him to Dundee where there’s a specialist who could treat him.
“Luckily he did survive and at Parkside they reconstructed his pelvis and put pins, bolts and plates in his legs. I’m amazed he didn’t lose any of them.
“It’s taken him months to fully recover and now he’s finally back to his normal self.”
This week Baxter went for his final check-up at Parkside Vets.
A spokesperson for the clinic said: “Baxter’s road to recovery was going to be a long one but his sweet, happy disposition made his nursing care so rewarding.
“The entire Parkside team were so excited to see him again and eagerly awaited his appointment for the revisit.
“Baxter came barging in wagging his whole body, very obviously happy to come back and see us all.”
