Thai veterinarians have operated on a 10-year-old anaconda to remove a large tumour from near its heart.

The snake was anaesthetised for the seven-hour operation, Dr Taweesak Anansiriwattana told BBC Thai's Issariya Praithongyaem.

Doctors at Klongluang Animal Hospital had to cut through the skin and abdominal cavity wall in order to reach the tumour, which weighed 1kg (2lb).

Tissue samples have been sent for tests to determine if the snake has cancer.

The snake weighed about 52kg (114 lbs).

The snake was put on a breathing tube

It was brought to Klongluang Animal Hospital, north of Bangkok, by a private owner

Most of the tumour was removed but a small part remains as it was too close to arteries, vets say.

The snake was brought to the hospital by a private owner.

Doctors had to be careful to avoid arteries, as damaging one could have killed the animal

The snake has now recovered consciousness - but may need to undergo chemotherapy if cancer is detected