Dog Undergoes Surgery After Tennis Ball Dinner

A dog has undergone emergency surgery to remove a tennis ball after it became lodged in his abdomen.

Two-year-old husky cross Pax needed the operation after the ball was spotted on an X-ray, a week after he swallowed it.

Owner Anna Dziedzic, 29, had taken her pet to the PDSA in her home town of Brighton after he stopped eating, was being sick and became lethargic.

Senior vet Becca Thring said: "This was a life-or-death situation. Without surgery it is highly likely that Pax would have died. As with all major operations, there are risks, but it was the only option."

Emergency surgery was carried out and the tennis ball was removed intact. Pax was allowed home the same day and has recovered well, although he is now sporting a 10cm scar.

Ms Dziedzic said: "I was in the park with Pax and my other dog Pixie, a Jack Russell, and the dogs were happily playing with their favourite toys, tennis balls, like usual. Pax loves throwing a ball into the air and then catching it - it's something he's always done since he was a puppy.

"When it was time to leave, Pax didn't have his ball. I just assumed he'd lost it in the undergrowth and thought no more about it.

"He became really poorly over the next week and I was so worried about him. I was stunned when PDSA called to reveal how dangerously ill he was and what the problem was.

"I can't believe a bit of innocent fun had turned into a life-threatening situation. I'll be forever grateful to PDSA for saving his life."

PDSA treated about 100 dogs with tennis ball-related problems last year - ranging from broken teeth, intestinal blockages and eye injuries.