A dog-owning couple have cured their pet puppy's wonky legs by talking him on twice-daily walks.
Hannah Lilley and Adam Hazelwood, of Hinckley, noticed their golden retriever Kobi had problems with his paws when he was three-months-old.
Hannah, an occupational therapist, said: "Kobi had been just like a normal puppy at first but then we noticed his wrists were constantly bent."
After taking him to the vet, the couple, who are both 22, feared he has irreparable bone damage.
However, after seeking a second opinion from vet Terry Dunne, they were told Kobi was suffering from carpal laxity syndrome (CLS).
And the cure was as much exercise as he could handle.
"As first we thought it would be best to give him a rest so as not to put any more pressure on him," added Hannah.
"But when we went to see Terry, he told us to do exactly the opposite and take him for walks twice a day."
Regular walks worked a treat and within a number of days, Kobi was back to his usual, energetic self.
Hannah said: "Within a week, his wrists had straightened out and he was back to normal.
"Now the problem is that we can barely keep up with him."
CLS is a rare affliction which affects mostly male, rapidly-growing breeds like golden retrievers.
The main symptom is floppy wrists, assumed to be caused by the rapid bone growth outpacing that of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the joint.
Terry, the vet at Fairfield Veterinary Centre in Hinckley, said: "It is a common misconception to try and support the abnormal joints with dressings or casts.
"This has exactly the wrong effect – by protecting the joint in this way only makes it weaker.
"In order for a joint to be restored to good health it must be kept mobile and exercised providing the opportunity for the muscles, tendons and ligaments to develop and mature."
Now, at five-months-old, Kobi is undergoing standard training and Hannah hopes that one day he will become a PAT dog to help people with brain injuries.
See more adorable pictures of Kobi, click here.
