Winston is a typical Labrador - food motivated, over friendly and loving, bouncy and just totally amazing! He is also a very spoilt pooch.

At just seven months old we found out Winston had sever hip dysplasia. So severe that despite his age and the fact he wasn’t fully grown, he refused to walk long distances, was in considerable pain and so needed strong anti inflammatories, and had to have his right hip replaced as soon as possible. He lost his puppy like ways very quickly due to the pain he was in.

Winston had a total right hip replacement at Langford Vets in January 2018. There were hiccups, meaning the operation needed to be repeated in that May, but by the September Winston was free to run and jump as he wanted (this is a cut down version of lots of vet trips, stress, lots of medication, too much time in his crate, lots of crying from me and Winston! And hydro therapy). This was partly funded by insurance and was a very difficult journey, obviously worth it in the end!

Since then Winston has had, for the most part, an amazing and spoilt life making up for the time he missed! Lots of holidays, long walks, making new doggy friends, and all relatively pain free. Then we noticed him starting to limp on his left leg in August 2019.

Now in October, we cannot delay having his left leg operated - Winston has again started to refuse to walk, shows signs of significant pain, and is on strong pain killers again. Another visit to Langford confirms he needs the operation, ideally in December this year. This is the only option for Winston to live pain free - Langford actually do not believe it is sustainable for him to carry on the way he is for ever another 12 months.

Unfortunately our insurance funds have run out due to the expense of the operation and subsequent treatment from the first hip replacement. The alternative is unthinkable, particularly as he is so young, so we are determined to raise the funds!

The cost of the operation alone is approximately £6000. This does not include the xrays in the run up, the over night stays for a week when he has the operation, the after care in terms of hydro therapy, dog sitters/help if we are ever not there to make sure he is OK and help carry him to the toilet, the medication for at least 8 weeks post op.

Winston would be so grateful for any help anyone can offer, to help extend his life and let him live pain free for the first time! Thanks so much in advance to everyone. We are determined to raise enough to get him through this, as the alternative is just unthinkable!