A family member has a 3 year old rescue cockapoo. He's always had slippy knees but in the last few months it seems his hips are actually the problem.
Google tells us hip dysplasia is common in this breed but the only way to tell definitely is nearly £900 worth of xray.
Insurance won't cover so it's a lot of money and it feels like if his hips are causing pain then an actual diagnosis is neither here nor there. He's on painkillers but the question really is how bad do you let the discomfort get before it's kinder to let him go. He's always been extremely active and there is no way he would cope with being a sedentary dog. Surgery isn't really an option either as would cost thousands with no insurance and he would find the restrictions incredibly difficult. Quality of life over quantity always but he's so young.
Before pain relief he's gone for us a few times when we've had to move him and you can see how tense he is when he's worried he's going to be touched in that area. He's also wet himself a few times when he's moved and the pain has caught him out.
His owner doesn't want to give up on him but also desperately doesn't want him to suffer because they aren't ready to lose him.
Is it best to carry on with pain relief until it can't be increased further and he's still showing signs of pain?