A FAMILY pet is “lucky to be alive” after eating hundreds of pebbles whilst on holiday in Barmouth.

Dilyn, a 12-year-old Spring Spaniel, was rushed to the vets on 17 August for emergency surgery after he became unwell following a visit to a beach in the Barmouth area.

Dilyn was quickly transferred to Williams Veterinary Surgeons in Tywyn where he was promptly anaesthetised and examined.

After undergoing an X-ray, the vets and owners were amazed to see Dilyn’s stomach was completely full of stones, something “unlikely to have been seen by any vet in the UK”, according to the veterinary practice.

Dilyn underwent surgery by vet Amy O’Regan who spent two to three hours painstakingly removing each and every pebble, collecting an incredible 206 in total.

Remarkably, Dilyn has no history of chewing stones and it’s understood he ate all of the rocks in one sitting.

Against all odds, Dilyn has made a “miraculous and very speedy recovery” following his ordeal.

Described as The Terminator by his relieved owners, Dilyn is now once again living life to the full.

Hugh Williams, a partner at Williams Vets, was amazed by what he had seen.

“We’ve never had anything like this,” he told the Cambrian News.

“We’ve had dogs swallowing stones before but usually one or two, three at a push. 206 is unheard of – you’d think as a 12-year-old he’d know better!

“We really thought the worst when we saw the X-ray – how are we going to get all these out? How much damage has already been done?

“But we’re delighted he’s made a full recovery, he’s really very lucky to be alive.”

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