By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ten-month-old Zippy is now on the road to recovery after undergoing an operation to correct his fused jaw


An abandoned puppy whose jaw fused shut as a result of abuse has barked for the first time after undergoing life-changing surgery.

Golden terrier Zippy almost starved to death after he was abandoned by an abusive owner with a broken jaw aged just a couple of weeks old.

The puppy was so badly injured that bones in his mouth fused together meaning he could only open his mouth 4mm and was unable to feed.

However, ten-month-old Zippy is now on the road to recovery after undergoing an operation to correct the problem, which means he can bark properly for the first time.

Diane McLelland, rehoming centre manager for the Dogs Trust, which is the UK's largest canine welfare charity, is now hoping someone will come forward to adopt Zippy.


An X-ray of Zippy's fused jaw before surgery. The puppy was so badly injured that he could only open his mouth 4mm and was unable to feed


She said: 'The injury to Zippy's jaw suggests that he suffered a serious trauma of some kind when he was no more than a couple of weeks old.

'He may have been kicked as a puppy and because he didn't receive veterinary treatment his jaw healed closed.

'This operation has transformed Zippy's life because he can now eat properly, bark and communicate with other dogs.

'He's such a happy, cheeky boy and would make a super companion for someone.

'Much of the fur around his jaw had to be shaved for the operation and we think his cropped look might be putting some people off.'

Staff are now hoping the lovable puppy can attract the attention of visitors and will find himself an owner.

Anyone who would like to give Zippy a home should contact Dogs Trust Snetterton on 01953 498 377.

Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs each year.


source: dailymail