LAMPSHADES, dummies and even a whole corn on the cob have been on the menu for dogs seen by vets.

The PDSA reports that there is no end to the range of bits and pieces dogs especially have been known to chew, eat and swallow. And there is no answer to why they eat these strange things.

In veterinary terms it is known as Foreign Body Syndrome -- the swallowing of indigestible objects. Among the unlikely items that PDSA vets have removed from dogs' insides are pebbles, stones, grass seeds, balls, bones, rubber bands, sticks, cassette tapes and money.

No-one really knows why such a varied and, in many cases, dangerous diet seems very appealing to dogs. But one answer could be that they love chewing and will experiment with anything that is left lying around the house, garden or park.

Symptoms of Foreign Body Syndrome are loss of appetite, dull and listless behaviour, persistent vomiting, a swollen painful abdomen and dehydration.

Jemma, a King Charles Spaniel, turned down ordinary dog food in favour of a more unusual and potentially deadly snack -- a baby's dummy.

When the nine year-old was taken to a PDSA veterinary centre, she had been sick, her abdomen was very tender and she had not been to the toilet.

Exploratory surgery revealed a large lump in her duodenum and an operation revealed the baby's dummy. Veterinary officer Maria Diez said: "Sometimes, the object will pass through the animal's digestive system, but more often it will become lodged in the intestine.

"If the problem is not treated it will eventually become fatal."

And a crossbreed puppy had a lucky escape after she dined out on a lethal snack of a needle and a peach stone. She had already started to be sick when she was rushed to the PDSA's New Cross Veterinary Centre.

Veterinary officer Uwe Holz carried out emergency surgery to remove the needle and peach stone, and Sadie is now fully fit -- and her owner is busy ensuring that she keeps to a proper diet.

And when you're choosing a toy for your dog, make sure it's too large for him to swallow and that any cat toys are kept well away.

The recovery rate of foreign body cases is good if owners get help from the vet as soon as symptoms develop.

Around 95 per cent of animals survive with little or no lasting damage. But it's important that pets are treated quickly before they go into shock or any complications set in.