Gobsmacked vets operating on a dog with stomach cramps found he had swallowed a six-inch teddy bear.

Ravenous husky Ramsez is thought to have gobbled the cuddly toy in a quiet corner before falling seriously ill.

The two-year-old stray was whisked into theatre for life-saving surgery after he was brought to vets suffering with diarrhoea.

Suspecting a large fur ball, surgeons opted to cut him open under anaesthetic.

But they were stunned to find the remains of a 15cm teddy bear in the dog’s intestine.

Ramsez is now back to good health and has been found a loving home by the Dogs Trust Canterbury charity.

Adam Levy, rehoming manager at the centre near Whitstable, said: "Ramsez is a cheeky chap who definitely brought new meaning to a teddy bear’s picnic with his escapades.

"Thankfully, it wasn’t more serious and he is now on the road to recovery.

"We are astonished that he managed to swallow a teddy bear whole but since his operation, he is a much healthier dog and his tummy troubles are under control.

"He certainly had a lucky escape and we are delighted that Ramsez will soon be on his way to a loving home."

Mr Levy said it is extremely rare for a dog to swallow a cuddly toy.

"It is very common for dogs to chew on anything and everything but only a few will actually swallow items that are obviously inedible," he said.

"It’s important for owners to be vigilant and remove toys or foreign objects if they suspect their dog may ingest them.

"Although Ramsez’s story had a happy ending, not all dogs recover quickly and can suffer with pain and discomfort for days to weeks before their owners realize something is wrong."

If you think you can give a dog like Ramsez a loving home, call the centre on 0300 3030292 or visit the centre at Radfall Road, Chestfield near Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3ER.