A FERRET-mad couple had to take their pet to TV’s Supervet to fix its broken leg as he is the only vet in the UK that could do the intricate operation.

Melanie Cottage and Ben Lovelock, both 33, were forced to turn to Channel 4’s expert vet Noel Fitzpatrick to work on three-month old Astrid’s broken leg.

The angora ferret, “stole the hearts” of the producers, bagging them a spot on the show as they documented the pet’s recovery.

Melanie, from Leigh, said: “We have 16 ferrets and they were all playing. Astrid fell off the sofa and broke her leg. We could see immediately that she had hurt herself. She was only three months old at the time.

“I rang the vets and they confirmed she had broken her tibia. She needed specialist surgery that only Noel Fitzpatrick could do because her bone was only 1.5mm in diameter."

The couple travelled to Guildford so their loved pet could be treated by Noel.

Melanie said: “I had seen him on the TV so I felt confident with the operation.

“He was really lovely, genuine man. He was exactly like what you see on the TV.

“The show usually has a lot of cats and dogs so for them to have a ferret come along, I think producers were quite excited. I think she stole everyone’s heart.”

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The couple, who got married two years ago, first started rescuing ferrets together when they were 17. Melanie is now hoping their TV appearance will change the way people think about ferrets.

She added: “I’m excited for it to show.

“Astrid is now fully recovered and back playing with her brothers and sisters.”

They are now looking to the community to help them cover the costs, which has set them back thousands.

“I wanted to give her the best option available. If I had been working and not furloughed I could have potentially covered the bill myself.

“We would be grateful for any help.”

The show airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 4. 

To donate: uk.gofundme.com/f/astrid-broke-her-leg-help-a-ferret-out