VETS and animal charities have been rallying round to help a grandmother pay medical bills for her poorly pooch.

Gran of three Edna Cunnane has been worried sick about her black and white mongrel Arnie who has not been well since he was knocked down by a mystery car nearly a year ago.

Arnie had to wear his paw in a plaster and sling after the accident until his wounds healed. But in the past four months Arnie has been injured again after twice being attacked by other dogs.

During this time Edna, 59, of Twist Lane, Leigh, also had to have Arnie neutered and she now owes hundreds of pounds in vets' bills.

Currently Arnie is back in the wars again, suffering with acute pancreatitis.

Edna, who cannot work because of her nerves, said: "Arnie is at the vet's at the moment and I can't wait to have him home. I'm really missing him. He's a lovely dog."

Canine friend

Edna said she has been finding it difficult to eat without her little six year old dog to keep her company and bursts into tears when she thinks about her canine friend.

Arnie's total treatment bill has now escalated to £410 although staff at Vetcare on St Helen's Road in Leigh have bent over backwards to help.

The practice has picked up the tab for some of Arnie's treatment, so Edna only has to find the money for food and his drugs and Vetcare has agreed a flexible scheme whereby Edna can pay the money back in £5 or £10 instalments.

Animal charities Petsearch, Wigan RSPCA and the National Canine Defence League have also given money to help subsidise Arnie's treatment.

Chad Northcott, a Vetcare partner, said that although 90 per cent of people found vet prices affordable, he said it was a common problem for people on limited incomes to struggle paying bills when there were major problems with pets.

Chad said: "Arnie is doing very well and he should be able to go home next week."