Dog recovers after surgery at Gateshead PDSA hospital to remove ball

Zeus has made a full recovery after the surgery to remove the tennis ball

A dog has bounced back to health after a "risky" operation to remove a tennis ball he swallowed.

Zeus, an 11-month-old Dogue De Bordeaux, spotted another dog playing with the ball on a beach, made a grab for it and accidentally gulped it down.

He later became ill and owner Richard Waugh, from Gateshead, took his pet to the local PDSA hospital.

Vets carried out emergency surgery and the ball was removed intact. Zeus has made a full recovery.

Catriona Atkinson, senior vet, said: "A large blockage of this nature creates a life-or-death situation - without surgery, it is highly likely that Zeus would have died."

The surgery carried out in the past couple of weeks was the "only option" and "as with all major operations, there are risks", the vet said.

Mr Waugh said Zeus is a "brilliant dog and we'd be lost without him". He thanked the hospital for "saving his life".

"He's got a cheeky side, as he does love to play with a ball - even if it's not his."