After receiving his wheelchair Wilson the poodle’s long road to recovery is almost complete

WHEN RSPCA officers first saw Wilson the poodle, they were appalled by his condition. Now, with a new set of wheels, the pooch is almost unrecognisable.

RSPCA vet Dr Laura Taylor with Wilson wearing his new wheelchair complete with a number plate and P plates at Yagoona RSPCA shelter today. Wilson suffered horrible cruelty, and was found dragging himself around the yard unable to move his back legs and in very poor condition. Picture: Justin Lloyd

WILSON didn’t have the easiest start to life. When the RSPCA seized the seven-year-old poodle in January they were shocked by what they found.

The poor pup was riddled with fleas, severely matted, soaked in urine — which had scalded his skin — and to cap it all off, he was paralysed in his two hind legs.

RSPCA inspector Natalie Will knew that immediate action needed to be taken the moment she saw the condition Wilson was in.

“The owner explained he loved Wilson but couldn’t afford to take him to the vet. When we asked him whether he understood that Wilson couldn’t live like this, he said he did,” she told news.com.au.

She seized Wilson and brought him straight to the RSPCA’s Yagoona shelter in southwest Sydney.

Veterinarian Laura Taylor said: “Wilson was in an appalling state when he was brought in. I didn’t know where to start his condition was so bad. We did some investigating and found that his paralysis was caused by an untreated slipped disc that had caused irreparable nerve damage.”

She added, “In my opinion, Wilson’s paralysis was avoidable. The owner could’ve seen the signs; a dog is vocal when in pain, and sought veterinary treatment. By the time we saw him it was too late to resolve.”

Wilson’s road to recovery has been a long one but his future is now looking bright. He was recently fitted with a customised wheelchair to give him mobility.

Dr Taylor said, “After we treated his pain and relieved his initial symptoms, we went back to the drawing board and asked what more can we do. We then placed a special order for his wheels.

“When we went into the fitting Wilson was so excited. He went for a run straightaway. At one stage he was running towards us and it was a real movie moment, I got a bit teary.”

Since receiving his wheelchair Wilson has gotten a lot stronger.

Wilson’s recovery wouldn’t have been possible without dedicated, hardworking RSPCA staff like Dr Taylor and Inspector Will (not pictured). Source: Justin Lloyd

“We’re hoping to start getting him ready for his new life. As a special needs animal it’s a case of finding the right home as he needs ongoing care,” Ms Will said.

In light of Wilson’s story one has to ask how an animal that is loved could be left to go through such horror.

“Rather than cases of outright cruelty what we see more commonly is a person failing to provide veterinary care to their animals, which is a requirement by law. It’s abuse by neglect,” Ms Will said.

Dr Taylor agreed. “People do get into the situation where they can no longer look after an animal. If that happens, contact someone for assistance. The RSPCA can offer support, but simply leaving an animal without treatment is not acceptable. The bottom line is if you have an animal it’s your responsibility to provide adequate care for it.”

There is a silver lining though, on the whole people are not tolerating cases like Wilson’s.

“We can’t keep up with calls because people have become so good at recognising and reporting cases of animal cruelty. Society is more tuned into what constitutes tolerable treatment of an animal.” Dr Taylor said.

While they do a lot with the little they can, the reality is that the RSPCA is underfunded. And as Ms Will puts it, “One case, is one too many.”