0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hiya. I'm Ferne.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06I'm in Kent to meet Lulu and her dog, Benji,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08and I hear Benji is going to see the vet.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11This is going to be interesting.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14And I'm Rory. I'm here at a safari park in Stirling
0:00:14 > 0:00:18to see how the vet here keeps all the animals fit and healthy.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28# Ferne and Rory telling you the story of some poorly pets
0:00:28 > 0:00:30# We will take them Show you how to make them
0:00:30 > 0:00:33# Better at the vet's
0:00:33 > 0:00:34# Vet Tales
0:00:34 > 0:00:37# These are our Vet Tales
0:00:37 > 0:00:39# Vet Tales. #
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Hi, I'm Lulu and this is my dog, Benji.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52He's so beautiful,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54and really fluffy.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Benji's nine months old and he loves to play.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05These are my brothers, Joel and Daniel.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08They like playing with Benji, too.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I love giving Benji lots of cuddles.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28- Hi, Ferne!- Hiya, Lulu. And you must be Daniel and Joel and Isabel.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29- ALL:- Hi, Ferne!
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- Do you want to come and see Benji? - I would love to.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- Hi, Benji.- Aw.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39Hello, Benji.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Oh, he's gorgeous. What type of dog is he, Lulu?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Benji's a cockapoo.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Oh, he's fantastic, and I love his curly soft hair.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52A cockapoo means a cross between a spaniel and a poodle,
0:01:52 > 0:01:57and because he's part poodle, that's why he has his curly fur.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Those are both fantastic dogs
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and you can see his spaniel ears, can't you?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04He fur's a bit like a teddy bear.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07He's definitely like a teddy bear. He's beautiful.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Lulu, I hear that Benji needs to go to the vet today.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- Why is that? - He has two extra dewclaws.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Oh, I can see here.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The dewclaw is like an extra toe, isn't it,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20that some dogs can get.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23It's important that Benji's dewclaws are checked by the vet
0:02:23 > 0:02:27in case they get caught on something and they can hurt his legs.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Are you ready, Benji? - Come on, Benji. Let's go.- Let's go.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32Good boy.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39This is vet Kylie.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41She has been a vet for nine years.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47She once hand-reared a baby monkey in South Africa
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and has helped look after an orphaned deer.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Good boy.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02There we go.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- Hi, would you like to bring Benji through?- Yes, please.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Come on, Benji.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Hi, Kylie.- Hi, Lulu. - Hello, Kylie.- Hi, Ferne.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Hello, Benji.- Here he is.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Today we're having a look at his extra dewclaws, aren't we?- Yes.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Yeah.- He's got dewclaws on his front, which is normal,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24but he's also got some extra claws on his back.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26The front dewclaws have a purpose.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29When they're holding things like bones or their toys,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32they help grip them and chew them.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34But the dewclaws on the back aren't very useful.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38These often stick out and when he's running or playing
0:03:38 > 0:03:40they can get caught on things and hurt him.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42How are we going to remove them?
0:03:42 > 0:03:46In surgery, he's going to be asleep under an anaesthetic.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Anaesthetic is a medicine that will put him to sleep for a bit.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Yeah, it's just makes him sleep so he won't feel anything going on.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57What do you need to do to make sure he's OK for surgery?
0:03:57 > 0:03:59We give him a health check.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Let's check his teeth. His gums are nice and pink.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03We'll listen to his heart now.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06What are you listening for with his heart?
0:04:06 > 0:04:10We're listening to make sure it's going at a normal rate,
0:04:10 > 0:04:11in a normal rhythm.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Benji sounds absolutely fine. Do you want to have a listen?
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- What does it sound like?- It's making like, "Ba-boom. Ba-boom."
0:04:19 > 0:04:21And that's good, that's normal.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Great, he's got a good, strong heart.- Yes.- Fantastic.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28We'll weigh Benji now so we know how much medicine to give him.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- Come on, Benji.- Come on, Benj.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Benji weighs...
0:04:33 > 0:04:35nine...
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- 9.7.- He's 9.7, is that a good weight for a male cockapoo?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Yeah, he's perfect weight.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46- There you go.- Benji's going to have some bandages on at the end.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48It's time for Lulu to choose those bandages.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I like these ones.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52These two. Perfect.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Sheep and tractors.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56You are going to look so cool.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Good luck, Benji, be a brave boy.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I think he's going to be very brave.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10A dewclaw grows higher up on the paw than the rest of the toenails.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Most dogs have dewclaws, especially on their front paws,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and do not need to have theirs removed.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But sometimes the dewclaw on the back legs can cause issues
0:05:21 > 0:05:23if they catch on things.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27So the best thing to do is get advice from the vet about them.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Benji is just getting his general anaesthetic
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and this will put him to sleep.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36This is Harriet, one of the veterinary nurses.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39She's going to help Kylie and monitor Benji
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- throughout the operation. - We're just attaching him to
0:05:43 > 0:05:46the anaesthetic machine now. This provides him with oxygen
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and anaesthetic gas to keep him asleep.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Harriet is clipping the fur round his dewclaws
0:05:52 > 0:05:54so that Kylie can see it when she takes them out.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56His dewclaws are quite long.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59All his nice curly fur was really good at hiding them.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Yeah, you can see how much it sticks out now.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06You can definitely see it could easily get caught on something.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Well done, Benji.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Before Kylie begins surgery,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Harriet cleans Benji's legs to make sure there are no bugs or
0:06:15 > 0:06:18bacteria around to make him ill. That is why we are wearing
0:06:18 > 0:06:20these masks, hats, gloves and scrubs.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- We need to make sure the whole area is clean.- There's his dewclaw.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Kylie just has to cut around the whole dewclaw
0:06:27 > 0:06:30to make sure that she removes all of it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Do you think it will take him a while to recover, Kylie?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37He should be back to his normal self in a week or so.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Is there any risk of his dewclaw ever growing back?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43No, they won't grow back once we've removed them.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45And that's his dewclaw.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Now the dewclaw's off, I've just got to stitch up the skin.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Kylie stitches up Benji's leg so it will heal nicely.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Well done, Benji. Next foot.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Kylie does exactly the same with Benji's other dewclaw,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05before stitching it up. I think Benji is doing fantastically
0:07:05 > 0:07:09and Lulu will definitely be proud of him. Now he's all stitched up,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- what happens? - Harriet's going to clean it all up
0:07:12 > 0:07:16and then he can have his bandage on. Almost there, Benji.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I'm leaving his paw out so he can still walk normally
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- and not get the bandage dirty. - And he will have these bandages on
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- for a few days before you check up on him.- Yeah, we'll see him
0:07:27 > 0:07:30in a couple of days, take the bandage off, have a look
0:07:30 > 0:07:35and make sure it's healing OK. It's time for the tractors.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39These lovely colourful bandages will stop Benji from biting his stitches
0:07:39 > 0:07:44- and help them heal a bit faster. - There we go.- Well done.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Now Benji's operation is over,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Harriet stops using the anaesthetic gas so he can slowly come round.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52While Benji wakes up,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56let's see what else has been happening at the vet's today.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Chris' bulldog, The Governor, has been brought in
0:08:04 > 0:08:08so the vet can look at an abscess on his foot.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11John has brought in his pointer, Ash, to have treatment
0:08:11 > 0:08:14using these tiny needles called acupuncture.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17He comes every three weeks and has his acupuncture
0:08:17 > 0:08:21and you're as fit as a fiddle now, aren't you, mate?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24And these tiny puppies have been born at the vet's.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Aren't they adorable?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- Here's Benji.- Benji!
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Here he is.- Benji!- Aw!
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Aw, look at your little bandages!
0:08:38 > 0:08:40He was very, very brave.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45- Thank you so much, Kylie. - Thank you, Kylie.- You're welcome.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Lulu, it has been so wonderful meeting you and Benji,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51do you think I could come back soon to see you all
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- and check how Benji's getting on? - Yes, please, Ferne, we would all
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- love that, especially Benji. - So would I. Thank you.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01While we give this fluffy superstar some more cuddles,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03let's see what Rory's up to.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11HORN TOOTS
0:09:11 > 0:09:17This safari park near Stirling is home to some fantastic animals.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19And today I'm very lucky,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23as I'm being allowed to get close to a very big cat.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37This is Paddy, a vet here at the safari park.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Now, Paddy, who's in here? - We're here to see Bella
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- and her keeper, Craig. - Awesome, can't wait.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- RORY GASPS - Wow!
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- She is gorgeous, just look at her. Hi, Craig.- Hiya.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Bella is an Amur or Siberian tiger and they are the heaviest
0:09:57 > 0:09:59and largest cat in the world.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02They can weigh the same as three fully grown men.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Paddy, what are you checking Bella for today?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Today, Rory, we're looking at her body condition
0:10:08 > 0:10:11to make sure that she is the right weight.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14I can't wait to see this in action. Tigers can be very
0:10:14 > 0:10:18dangerous, so Bella has been brought into this cage so Paddy can check
0:10:18 > 0:10:21her over. OK, so what are you looking for here, Paddy?
0:10:21 > 0:10:25When she faces us, we can get an idea of any problems with the eyes
0:10:25 > 0:10:29and also her teeth, to make sure they're looking healthy and
0:10:29 > 0:10:33generally her body condition, to make sure her weight is as it should
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- be, because we provide food for her. - That's very important.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40How is the weight looking, is it on the scales there?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44The weight's looking fine. She's just around the 100 kilo mark.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Craig, I can see these yellow lines. What's that about?
0:10:48 > 0:10:52This is a safety zone. When the tigers are around, we make sure that
0:10:52 > 0:10:55unless the person working with the tiger is rewarding,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- like I am, everyone else stays behind the yellow lines.- Okey doke.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Is everything sorted here? Paddy, have we got to move
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- onto the next stage? - Absolutely, she looks fine.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10We're going to take her out of the cage and put her into her pen.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- Right, can't wait to see that. Shall we get going?- Yeah.- Cool.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19What are you looking for here, Paddy?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23The health of the underside of her paws, particularly the pads,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27looking for any problems, any cuts, any grazes, any swellings.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31The pads are the parts off her feet that she touches the ground with,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- she's walking on them.- Yeah, the pads are firm and hard and protect
0:11:35 > 0:11:39her from thorns and anything sharp on the ground, but they are
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- susceptible to problems if she steps on something sharp.- What are you
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- testing there?- Testing for any tenderness, any problems that might
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- be just underneath the pads. - Okey doke. Are they looking good?
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- They're looking fine, looking great. - Pretty impressive.- Very impressive.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Are you happy with everything? - Everything looks great, no concerns
0:12:00 > 0:12:04and I think we're done for the day. Would you like to give Bella
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- her last treat?- Absolutely.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- There you go, good girl. - HE GASPS
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Bella, you have been an amazing patient.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Craig, Paddy, thank you so much for letting me
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- see this awesome animal up close. - No problem.- No worries.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Not long ago I met Lulu, her family and gorgeous little Benji,
0:12:31 > 0:12:35who had his dewclaws removed. Now I'm back to see how he's getting
0:12:35 > 0:12:37on after his visit to the vet.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Hi, Ferne.- Hiya, Isabel.- Come on in.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Thank you.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- Hiya, Lulu.- Hi, Ferne.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Hello, Benji.- He's been doing really well after his operation.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- He's been getting much better. - Shall we check out his feet?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Yes. Let's do it, Benji. There.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Oh, yes, you can see one there. Wow.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05And when the scabs come off, it will all be better.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08It's looking nice, it's looking clean.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- Has he been licking it a little bit? - A little bit sometimes
0:13:12 > 0:13:14but he's mainly been very good about it.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I'm so pleased to see his leg is healing
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- and he's getting back to his bouncy self.- Good boy.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22THEY LAUGH
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Lulu, I've had a wonderful time meeting all of you
0:13:25 > 0:13:27and beautiful little Benji here.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Thank you so much for coming to see us.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I hope you've enjoyed finding out all about Benji, too.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37See you next time for more Ferne And Rory's Vet Tales.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Bye!- Goodbye!
0:13:46 > 0:13:50# Ferne and Rory telling you the story of some poorly pets
0:13:50 > 0:13:53# We will take them Show you how to make them
0:13:53 > 0:13:55# Better at the vet's
0:13:55 > 0:13:57# Vet Tales
0:13:57 > 0:13:59# These are our Vet Tales
0:14:00 > 0:14:02# Vet Tales
0:14:02 > 0:14:05# Ferne And Rory's Vet Tales. #