A dog left paralysed after he was overfed by owners is "unrecognisable" after life-saving surgery financed by a crowdfunder.

Six-year-old Button Moon was found paralysed and hiding under a car in Chartham Hatch, just outside Canterbury , last September.

The stray was taken on by Chartham-based animal charity Flori's Friends Rescue, when he was found to have no microchip and wasn't claimed by an owner.

A CT scan soon revealed he had a herniated disc, and Button Moon was given urgent spinal surgery.

Founder Natalia George said: "He recovered completely - he ran around like a normal dog."

In January, a new home was found for Button Moon, but sadly it was far from a happy ending for the little dog.

"Unfortunately they didn't listen to our advice," said Miss George, 29. "Button Moon needed to stay slim and exercised, and sadly has gotten fat and immobile.

"They overfed him so much his spine has now collapsed, and they've handed him back to rescue because they don't want to pay the bills."

Button Moon was scheduled for an emergency appointment at the Royal Veterinary College last weekend, so he could undergo urgent surgery by a spinal specialist.

But cash-strapped Flori's Friends Rescue was left with just four days to find the £6,000 needed to foot the bill .

Thankfully, the adorable chihuahua and his tragic story touched many hearts, and the full sum was raised through a fundraiser.

Button Moon underwent his surgery last weekend, and is now recovering well.

"It's really, really great," said Miss George. "We managed to raise £7,500, which will cover everything post-surgery. He's going to need physio twice a day and hydrotherapy once a week.

"The surgery went so well - he's like a rocket now. He's not paralysed any more. He's running around, or rather he's trying to run around but he's not allowed.

"He's on crate rest for four weeks, but his mobility's already 10 million times better. He's unrecognisable."

Miss George says Button Moon has already lost a kilo, and is now back to happily wagging his tail once again.

He's heading up to Sleaford today to spend four weeks recovering at a foster home, but will be available for adoption in about four to five weeks.

For more information about Flori's Friends Rescue, visit the charity's website .

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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