Lowestoft dog owner urges others to buy pet insurance after Labrador’s life-saving operation

Max the Labrador had to have an operation to remove part of a dog toy and 20cm of his intestines (Image: Archant)

Dale Parker of Hervey Street in Lowestoft thought he had pet insurance for Labrador Max, but had mistakenly not renewed it.

And when Max, who is nearly two, started being sick earlier this month, Mr Parker was in for an expensive trip to the vets.

'He was sick eight or nine times,' said the 23-year-old. 'He wasn't himself and the vet thought he might have a stomach bug. But he was still off his food so we got an emergency appointment and they could feel something in his intestines.'

Scans revealed Max needed an operation to dislodge part of a dog toy along with 20cm of his intestines - and the vet needed at least £1,000 to perform the life-saving operation.

And with no insurance, Mr Parker was left with no choice but to borrow money to pay for Max's operation.

'They said he would need a operation that night or he wouldn't survive the weekend,' said Mr Parker. 'Of course me and my partner were in tears and the vet then said it was going to cost £1,600 and that if he did not have it he would die.

'We don't have that sort of money sitting around and to make it worse when I checked his insurance I noticed that I had accidentally taken out home contents insurance twice - I don't understand how but I did.

'It's not a situation you want to find yourself in. It was awful, having to think about saying goodbye.

'I think it made the situation worse because we were worrying about getting the money and then paying it back. It really stressed me out.'

And Mr Parker says he has learnt a valuable lesson from Max's ordeal.

'Just get insurance no matter what it costs,' he said. 'It's a bit late but we have made sure we've got insurance now.

'It was an expensive lesson to learn.'

Now back at home, Mr Parker said Max is making a good recovery.