A WOMAN is distraught after her dog had to be put down two days after visiting the vet with sore ears.

Earls Hall Veterinary Group, Westcliff, prescribed Jenny Manister’s dog Maddie steroids for the minor problem.

But two days later, animal charity PDSA had to put down the seven-year-old labrador-spaniel cross as she was suffering from crippling back pain.

After internet research, Mrs Manister, 45, fears the anti-inflammatory drug, called Prednidale, caused the spinal problems.

The vet who took Maddie off the drug the day after it was prescribed, as it appeared to be sapping her energy, has denied the claim and insisted there is no chance the steroid could cause the loss of feeling and movement.

Watchdog the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is investigating the vet’s handling of the case.

Mrs Manister, of Mendip Crescent, Westcliff, said: “She was a bouncy, bonkers dog before, but after taking the tablets she wouldn’t eat or sleep.

"She just stared at the wall.

“The next morning she couldn’t use her legs and she was crying in pain. She had no feelings in her back legs or spine.”

Earls Hall Veterinary Group offered Maddie a CT scan to diagnose the sudden deterioration when Mrs Manister returned on the second day.

But the advanced X-ray’s £300 cost priced out Mrs Manister, who is disabled, and she took Maddie to the PDSA in Pitsea.

The charity cannot afford such expensive procedures and advised Maddie’s inconsolable owner that putting her down was the most humane option.

Jennifer Hagger, head nurse at Earls Hall Veterinary Group, in Prince Avenue, said: “We don’t know what caused it.

“Unless we found out what was wrong with Maddie we wouldn’t know, and unfortunately we can’t do that.

“We have looked at the literature and contacted experts and there is no reason to think there is a correlation between the steroids and the symptoms.

“We don’t agree with what she is saying because we can’t find any evidence to support it.”