Phoenix

Phoenix is a two-year-old central bearded dragon. Her carers thought she was male, and it wasn't until Phoenix visited Lort Smith that they found out she was in fact female.

Phoenix's family have had her for about six months. They willingly took her in when her previous family had no time to invest in her.

"She was kept outside in a tank. I think the kids got bored of her," says Carly, Phoenix's new carer.

Phoenix was first welcomed into the family as a pet for Carly's son, but Carly admits she has become very fond of Phoenix herself.

"Phoenix loves to be tickled under her chin and snuggling up under our chin – which is not very comfortable for us," laughs Carly.

A surprising diagnosis

Carly noticed Phoenix was sleeping more than normal, wasn't her usual self, and was vomiting what Carly thought was blood!

Dr Tristan, our Unusual Pets and Wildlife Veterinarian, is well known and much loved, especially in the exotic animal community. He did an ultrasound on Phoenix and could see something was stuck in her intestines, which needed surgery.

The operation went without a hitch. It turned out Phoenix wasn't vomiting blood, but blueberry juice! Dr Tristan found four whole blueberries inside Phoenix. He removed one from the incision area, two more were manipulated back out through the mouth, and a fourth was crushed and milked out with gut contents via the colon.

Phoenix recovered overnight in a humidicrib in our Intensive Care Unit before going home to a very relieved Carly.

Phoenix usually eats a diet of crickets, mealworms and lots of green veggies. Blueberries, like all sugary fruit, are OK as an occasional treat.

"Phoenix is now fully recovered and back to her usual self. She is very loving and active, and has a cute personality," says Carly.

And the advice she was given about feeding blueberries to Phoenix in future? "Cut them up!"

Carly was very impressed with the way Lort Smith looked after Phoenix.

Find out about care for unusual and exotic pets