Hagar

Hagar is a five-year-old French Bulldog, who has suddenly collapsed and is struggling to move.

After MRI scans and a full medical assessment, Noel sees that the root of the problem is an exploded disc in Hagar’s neck which is pressuring his spine to such an extent that he is becoming progressively paralysed. So alarming is Hagar’s deterioration that Noel consults with neurosurgery colleagues, and explains to mum Mari that surgery is an option – although there is no guarantee of full recovery – and the longer the spine remains compressed, the greater is the chance that Hagar may never walk again.

“Every operation carries risk and especially with spinal cord injuries, there’s no way that anybody can ever guarantee success” he says, “ultimately I can only do my best, and then it’s in the lap of nature – and you never really know what’s going to happen next.”