Neighbours raise money for dog's cancer tests

Darren Smith says it is more important to him to spend money on his dog

A neighbour is raising money for a dog owner whose black Labrador could have cancer after he said it was more important for him to spend money on vet bills than on himself.

Vets had found a mass in 12-year-old Max's stomach, and marks on his lungs, Darren Smith, from Worcester, said.

Max would need more tests by a specialist vet to check if he had cancer, Mr Smith said, but added he had been told the total bill for specialist vets fees could cost between £4,000 and £6,000 depending on what they find.

His neighbour set up a crowdfunding page and more than £1,500 has so far been raised towards a target of £6,000 target to help pay for Max's vet bills.

Mr Smith said he first took Max to the vet when he noticed the dog had become more "lazy" than usual.

He was later quoted an initial £2,000-£3,000 for a CT scan, blood tests and biopsy.

He used to have pet insurance but had been unable to afford it, he added.

“I was off work for quite a long time, ill myself,” he said, adding that he was shopping as little as possible.

“I just eat by the day because my money’s more important to spend on him. He’s my best mate.”

He said he had already spent more than £800 on antibiotics as well as x-rays and blood tests as well as a consultation with a specialist.

Mr Smith says vets found a mass in Max's stomach and marks on his lungs.

“He’s just a really good, soft, typical Labrador – always wants to eat, loves everybody, everybody love him,” Mr Smith said.

His neighbour Chloe Hall said: “For now they’ve put him on antibiotics, which we know isn’t going to help but they are trying everything they possibly can until we are able to get the funds to get him booked in for the specialist vets.”