A stray dog that was found wandering the streets severely underweight will go blind as vets have found her eyes are badly damaged by head injuries.

Concerned dog lovers have been following the fate of female American bully-cross Liza, who was found in Sheerness and described by Swale's dog warden as one of their "worst welfare cases this year."

She was taken to Valgrays Border Collie and Animal Rescue and after seeing an emergency vet they discovered she had pneumonia.

Not only this but she was extremely underweight – weighing just 16.1kg when she should be closer to 30 to 35kg.

Her claws were so long that she was unable to walk properly, and a virus was ravaging her body resulting in thick green snot and a raspy cough.

After almost doubling her weight and undergoing a "phenomenal transformation" at the rescue centre, she finally got a referral to the eye specialist – but hopes to restore her vision have been lost after vets discovered the extent of her injuries.

Swale Borough Council Stray Dog Service said: "Even if the cataracts are removed, she'll still go blind. Behind the window of the lens, her retinas are damaged beyond repair.

"The experts explained that this can be caused by severe head trauma, something we fear poor Liza was exposed to given how she was found."

Liza has also been diagnosed with PRA – progressive retinal atropy – which is an inherited condition that leads to eventual blindness.

They continued: "This is hereditary, so any of the dozens of pups she's had throughout her lifetime could end up being affected.

"We truly didn't believe her story could get any sadder and we'll always be grateful to Valgrays for stepping in and helping her when we needed them most.

"The demons of her past may have stolen her vision, but they can never take away her fighting spirit."

In a Facebook post, Val Phillips, of Valgrays Border Collie and Animal Rescue, said: "I have cried in leaving this place – they can do nothing for Liza.

"If they took the cataract away she would still be blind. The retina is damaged. Her better eye has slight vision but also has bubbles of cataract forming.

"A man made problem is what this poor dog has to suffer and endure in her life. I am truly heartbroken for her, but she will be loved here and the medication will help soothe her eyes."