A CONSTIPATED bearded dragon has become a television star after being cured with a tummy massage and a soothing bath.

Beardy appeared with owner Porter Horgan, four on CBeebies show Ferne and Rory’s Vet Tales while being treated at the Southfields Veterinary Specialists, in Basildon.

The programme showed how treatment from vet Filipa Lyseight at the surgery helped put Beardy back on track to the delight of Porter.

The child exclaimed his delight at Beardy returning to his normal self with a “well done Beardy, that’s so much poo”.

Filipa then explained to Porter and his dad Daniel Hogan, things they can do to help prevent any further blockage in the future.

She said: “The right nutrition is very important.

Echo:

“Beardy is an omnivore, so we’d like him to eat insects, lots of vegetables and fruit.”

She then discussed with show presenter, Rory Crawford, how vets tend to treat exotic pets like Beardy.

Filipa said: “We examine them exactly as we would with cats and dogs.

“We start with the head, look into the eyes and ears to see if they’re dry or if there’s any discharge which would tell us there’s a condition going on.

“In bearded dragons, we would also check the jaw, too, because they can be prone to bone disease.

“Then we’d check the body and feel for any masses, making sure there’s no lumps or bumps there.”

Rory also looked into various other cases of poorly patients being treated at Southfields Veterinary Specialists.

Echo:

This included Diesel, the Border Collie, who was having samples taken from a lump in his mouth for analysis.

As well as this, Mile, the Bichon Frise, had an ultrasound scan to check out an existing heart condition. In the children’s programme, animal experts Ferne Corrigan and Rory Crawford explain how animals can become ill and how they may need help from a vet.

The show is available on BBC iPlayer