A PET owner has praised the local community for donating money towards a life-saving operation for her “best pal”.

Anna Marton, who lives in Laggary Road, Rhu, discovered small lumps on her dog Coco’s teats at the beginning of the year.

The tiny abnormalities on the eight-year-old rottweiler eventually grew to the size of an apple and were diagnosed by vets as mammary tumours.

However, Anna was unable to get her favourite animal seen to during lockdown, and when she did visit the Parklea surgery in Helensburgh she was quoted £700 for the vital operation.

Struggling to cover the cost, Anna launched an online GoFundMe page which raised almost half of the total, while a close friend and family members funded the rest.

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After a successful procedure last week, Anna said Coco is back to normal now and she was keen to recognise those who helped out in her time of need.

She told the Advertiser: “I would like to thank everyone for their help and support, no way could I find that money as quick as needed.

“I just want to thank all the people that have helped me out of a big black hole that I thought was endless.

“Also a huge thank you to Parklea Vets for everything they have done and for being there when I called and emailed out of hours.

“I’m very fond of Mr Craig and his daughters, they have always been brilliant with my animals.”

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Animal lover Anna has another pet dog, as well as a hedgehog named Albert and a guinea pig, while she also had a chicken called Janet.

She said she would like to set up a fund-raising support page for other pet owners who may experience similar difficulties in covering their animals’ treatment.

She added: “I’d like to set up an advice and support fund for anyone that may find themselves in the same position as myself.

“We don’t have any help in this area as the post code doesn’t fit with the requirements for PDSA.

“I would like to get a fund going where people can donate £1 or whatever they want.

“You never know the day you may need help and I’m doing this for my dog not for me. My feelings don’t come into it.

“Animals deserve help too.”

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