A BUSINESS is trying to raise thousands of pounds to save the life of a pooch in pain.

Rottweiler Kenzo, two, needs a double hip operation because he suffers from severe hip dysplasia.

However, his health insurance won’t pay for the life-saving treatment and owner Nichola Greatorex, of Colchester, needs to find £5,500 to save Kenzo’s life.

If he doesn’t have the operation, hewill have to be put down.

Unfortunately, the money is too much for Nichola, a single mum of five, whose five-year-old son is autistic and daughter, 11, suffers severe hypermobility syndrome, to afford. She said: “I took Kenzo to the vet to have a booster jab and the vet picked up on problems with his legs.

“Unfortunately, it was picked up just a few days before his health insurance started.

“The vet said he would need a double hip replacement in the next five years, costing £5,500.”

Kenzo has been using a hydrotherapy pool at Animal Magic, in Military Road, Colchester, to help ease the pain.

When its owner Kerry Youngman heard about Kenzo’s troubles, she instantly set up a fund to help raise the money for his operation.

She said: “Nichola really has been unlucky.

“She did everything right with getting health insurance, but unfortunately it hasn’t paid off.

“Kenzo is such a lovely boy.

When he gets in the pool, he just smiles.

“All the pain goes away and he loves swimming about.”

Kerry has branched into pet photography and invited all her regular customers to get their dogs and cats photographed with props such as thrones, Easter rabbits and ducks before asking them to buy prints for £5.

All the money will be donated to Kenzo.

Kerry said: “I haven’t had one person who has said no yet.

“It’s lovely to see so many people pulling together for a cause.”

So far, she has raised £200 and although she knows there is a long way to go, she is not giving up.

She said: “There are so many pets out there who need help.

“We can’t help them all, but if we can help Kenzo, we will.”

To donate to Kenzo’s fund go to Animal Magic, 44 Military Road, Colchester, or phone the business on 01206 563407.