Smitty the greyhound is racing back to health, thanks to an ancient Chinese remedy.

His owner Steve Meek, 49, of Strensall, York, resorted to a course of acupuncture for the pained pooch in a bid to cure his nasty nail infection which has plagued him for two years.

And he says the results have been amaz-ing.

Andrew Forsyth, a vet at the Battle Flatts clinic in Strensall, carried out the 2,000-year-old treatment, which was also filmed by BBC cameras for its new vets series.

He said: "Smitty had badly infected nail beds. He had previously received many courses of antibiotics but this didn't cure him.

"When he came to us I thought we'd try acupuncture to boost his defences. Amazingly it worked. Acupuncture stimulates the body's own healing capac-ity.

"I'm very much in favour of alternative approaches. The bottom line for me is curing the animal."

Mr Meek also gave Smitty garlic tablets to help his immune system.

He said: "Every one of his claws was in-fected which made it painful for him to walk. My wife and I did a lot of research into Smitty's problem but never thought of acupuncture.

"We are over the moon with Andrew. We saw a dramatic effect in Smitty after eight sessions. Now he is down to two paw infections which are basically gone.

"It's phenomenal. Even the BBC were amazed."

Mr Meek paid only £13 for an acupunc-ture session, compared to more than £80 every three weeks for a course of antibi-otics.

Now he is appealing to any chiropodists in York to treat a corn that has developed on Smitty's paw to avoid a costly opera-tion to have it cut out.

"I think it would be bad for the dog," Mr Meek said, "I hope a chiropodist will treat Smitty. The corn is making her lame."

If you can help please telephone Mr Meek on 01904 492965.

Norwegian vet Trude Mostue has been filming at the Battle Flatts veterinary clinic in Stamford Bridge for the BBC's new daily programme Vets In The Coun-try which will also feature Smitty's adventure. The programme will be broadcast from September 4.

matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk