New technology which saved a dog from having a leg amputated could soon be used to treat landmine blast survivors.

Synthetic bone was developed as part of a £2.7 million project to produce 3D-printed replacement bone led by the University of Glasgow and Sir Bobby Charlton's Find A Better Way charity.

Eva, a two-year-old Munsterlander - a type of gundog - was left with a 2cm gap in the bone of her right foreleg after being hit by a car last year.

Her vet at Glasgow University's veterinary hospital, Mr William Marshall, found out by chance about the synthetic bone research at the same university.

Project leaders Prof Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez and Prof Matt Dalby began work in January to develop synthetic bone for use by trauma surgeons to repair the limbs of landmine blast survivors.

Trials on human patients were not due to start for years, but they took the opportunity to try the technology on Eva, saving her leg.

The technique uses a natural protein called BMP-2 to stimulate bone regrowth and a common substance called poly(ethyl acrylate) or PEA to hold it in place.

A mixture of bone chips and the two substances were placed in the gap in Eva's leg seven weeks ago and the bone has now regrown.

It is hoped the pioneer treatment, when combined with 3D-printed plastic scaffolding covered with stem cells, could help bone trauma victims around the world.

Professor Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez said: "This is an exciting development.

"During research and development, the use of PEA and BMP-2 to grow new bone tissue has looked very promising, but I was not expecting the treatment to be used to help a patient for several more years.

"We are delighted to have had the chance to help save Eva's leg from amputation.

"If I'm honest, we were not at all sure the treatment would work in such a complex infected fracture.

"It's been a very rewarding experience for everyone involved."

Mr Marshall, clinician in orthopaedic surgery at the vet school, said: "Eva is an energetic and otherwise very healthy dog.

"Amputating her leg would have significantly affected the way that she walks and runs, but without the treatment provided by Manuel and his team there would really have been no other option."

Fiona Kirkland, Eva's owner, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with Eva's recovery.

"When we heard about an experimental treatment that might help her, we had no idea it was connected to such an important project.

"It is amazing to think that the treatment used to heal Eva's leg will help researchers one day repair the bones of landmine blast survivors.

"I'm very grateful to everyone at the University of Glasgow, the researchers and veterinary team and to Sir Bobby Charlton and Find A Better Way."