A Swindon vet was left bewildered after discovering the bizarre cause of a dog's illness. 

Charlie was taken to Thameswood Vets by his concerned owners because he seemed under the weather. 

They were told the 13-year-old pooch had stopped passing stools and had lost his appetite and suspected he may have eaten a plastic art decoration, but the team at Thameswood were surprised to find out he had eaten over one hundred coins. 

A Thameswood Vet spokesperson said: "Charlie seemed to have been saving for retirement because our vets found a rather substantial stash of coins in his tummy.

"Matheus, our Senior Veterinary Surgeon leading the surgical team, subsequently removed 133 coins, totalling £18.20 and weighing 680g!"

They added: "We are pleased to report that Charlie is recovering well and is back home with his family.

"His owners have since donated (the washed) coins to the PDSA which was a wonderful gesture.

"So much for piggy banks - Charlie is a doggy bank! Pet owners know their pets best so if, like Charlie's owners, you suspect they are not quite themselves, be sure to get them checked over."