A dog owner who supports and rescues pets across the world is desperately trying to raise money for the care of her own Chihuahua.

Lesley Godfrey needs to raise at least £3,000 to cover MRI scans her dog Teddy needed after his head began swelling on Friday.

The five-year-old canine has never had any prior health conditions, but had to be taken to a neurologist vet in Southampton.

Lesley said: "The MRI scan has cost £3,000 and we still don't know how much medication or surgery will cost.

"Insurance will not cover the treatments as his condition is likely to be a congenital defect.

"The specialist has confirmed Teddy does have a degree of hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, fluid on the brain and spinal cord.

"He has also had a bleed on the brain and is likely to need medication for life."

The 40-year-old runs a Facebook group called Paws In Need and holds monthly auctions to support a woman in Romania who looks after 38 dogs and 11 cats.

Lesley, of Princes Avenue, Walderslade, has also helped save 12 dogs from slaughter houses in China, her support meant the mutts could recover and become ready for new homes.

She added: "Although Teddy has now had his MRI scan, we still need support to cover the costs, we will also have to buy him a helmet to protect his skull.

"He is only five and is a little fighter, any help any one can offer will be much appreciated."

If you would like to support Teddy you can visit his GoFundMe page here.

To support the work Lesley is doing overseas, you can visit her Facebook page here.

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