A cocker spaniel with a potentially fatal disease was 'close to death' after being cruelly abandoned.

The blue roan dog - now named Huckleberry - was found curled up in front of a log store by homeowners near Selling.

They swiftly phoned Swale Borough Council's dog warden, who collected the extremely thin hound from the village just outside Faversham and took him to Karebear Kennels in Gillingham, where he appeared to be jaundiced and very sick.

Staff from the kennel rushed little Huckleberry to Newnham Court Medical Hospital in Maidstone where, after two days of exploratory tests, he was diagnosed with Leptospirosis.

This caused his skeletal frame and jaundiced complexion, along with a nasty eye infection and ulcerated mouth with black rotting teeth.

Leptospirosis - which can be fatal - is a disease caused when canines encounter the urine of an infected animal, often a rat.

The hospital made a quick diagnosis and began Huckleberry's lifesaving treatment, which was paid for by Leicester-based charity Spaniel Aid UK, who help care for spaniels in need across the country.

Nicola Kebbell, chairman of trustees at the charity, said: "When we received the call from the council's dog warden, we were eager to help little Huckleberry.

"We have paid close to £3,000 for his urgent care at the hospital, and his ongoing care to bring him back to full health will likely cost an additional £3,000.

"It's been a pleasure to work alongside the council's dog warden service and the vets at Newnham Court Medical Hospital to help Huckleberry. A true team effort."

"He was so thin and close to death when picked him up, and if it wasn't for the quick actions of the kennels, and generous funding from Spaniels Aid UK, Huckleberry wouldn't be here..." - dog warden Melissa Herbert

Huckleberry is now on his way to a new foster home.

Council dog warden Melissa Herbert said: "We haven't seen a case of Leptospirosis in the borough for more than 13 years, so we are glad we got to Huckleberry in time.

"It's been so cold overnight recently, we don't know how he survived on his own, he's a very brave and loving little dog.

"He was so thin and close to death when picked him up, and if it wasn't for the quick actions of the kennels, and generous funding from Spaniels Aid UK, Huckleberry wouldn't be here.

"We want to thank the residents who alerted us, the kennels who rushed him to hospital, the hospital for their wonderful care, and Spaniel Aid UK for their life saving funding."

For more information about what to do if you see a stray dog that needs help click here, or call 01795 417850 during office hours or 07795 237479 for out of hours.

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