Labrador Henry has bounced back to health after vets carried out lifesaving surgery to remove a tennis ball which was blocking his stomach.

The one-year-old dog was taken to PDSA’s pet clinic in Margate by owners Howard and Dawn Elvy when he stopped eating and began crying with pain.

Mr Elvy said: “Henry usually enjoys his food, so when he went off it we were worried.

“He was crying loudly and was clearly in a lot of pain, so we took him straight to the vets.”

Henry underwent emergency tests to find the cause of his illness and his worried owners were shocked when an x-ray revealed a tennis ball was blocking his stomach.

Mr Elvy added: “We were worried sick. It must have been really nasty for him and it’s terrible to think the blockage could have killed him.”

PDSA vet nurse Christopher Russell said: “Henry was seriously ill when he was brought to see us.

“The ball was causing a blockage which, if not removed, would have eventually killed him.

“He had to undergo major surgery to remove the ball, but thankfully it went well and he’s since made a full recovery.”

Once removed, relieved owners Howard and Dawn recognised the ball as one of Henry’s they had last seen several weeks earlier while playing at the beach.

Mr Elvy added: “We treat Henry as one of the family and he means the world to us both.

“As pensioners, we couldn’t possibly have afforded his treatment, so we’re both very grateful to the vets and nurses at PDSA for helping him.”