0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello, I'm Rory. I'm in the London Borough of Bromley
0:00:05 > 0:00:07to meet Sophia and her special cat.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's off to the vets and we can go, too.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15I'm Ferne. I'll be finding out how the vets at a wildlife park in Kent
0:00:15 > 0:00:18help to keep 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 > 0:00:32# We will take them, show you how to make them better at the vets
0:00:32 > 0:00:37# Vet Tales, these are our Vet Tales
0:00:37 > 0:00:42# Vet Tales Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales. #
0:00:45 > 0:00:50Hello. My name is Sophia and this is my little brother Oliver.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57I have a pet cat called Oscar. I've had him since I was little.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00He's different than some cats
0:01:00 > 0:01:04because he has three legs instead of four.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09He's great at running and jumping, though.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15And I love him very much.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- Hello, Rory.- Hi, Sophia. Hi, Matt. - Hiya, Rory, you all right?
0:01:28 > 0:01:33- Do you want to come and meet my pet Oscar?- I'd love to. Exciting!
0:01:35 > 0:01:41- What a gorgeous cat! - You can stroke him, if you like.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45I would definitely like to. Oh, he is amazing!
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- Do you know what sort of cat he is? - A Bengal cat.- Absolutely right.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Bengal cats have this lovely coat with great markings,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55and they're usually very friendly.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01Sophia, I've noticed he is missing a leg at the back. What happened?
0:02:01 > 0:02:06He had a little accident and the vets had to remove his leg.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- Oh, poor boy! But he's doing OK now, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15He's doing better than OK. Look at his face! He's smiling at you!
0:02:15 > 0:02:17When a body part has to be removed medically,
0:02:17 > 0:02:22it's called amputation, and this can happen to animals and humans.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24It can take us a long time to adjust,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27but animals get used to it quite quickly.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32You have to keep a close eye on their overall health,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34but especially their weight.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37So, Sophia, what do you do to look after this guy?
0:02:37 > 0:02:41We feed him and give him water, and we play with him a lot.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Those things are all very important indeed.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48You take him to the vet regularly for check-ups, don't you?
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- I heard he's going today.- Yes, Rory. Do you want to come?- I'd love to.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- We should get ready, shouldn't we? - Yeah.- Let's go.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Meet The Vet!
0:03:04 > 0:03:06This is vet Kylie.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10She knew she wanted to be a vet when she was just five years old.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14One time, she stitched up an elephant's trunk in South Africa,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and has performed surgery on a very prickly hedgehog.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- Hello!- Hi!
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- There we go.- Hello. Have you got Oscar there?- Yeah, we do.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Would you like to come through? - Lead the way.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Hello, Kylie.- Hello, Kylie. - Hi, guys.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- What can we do for Oscar today? - A checkup.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46He looks like he might want to have a sleep.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47He's very relaxed.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Let's see if Oscar will let us have a look at his teeth.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- Oh, wow!- Yeah.- And what are you looking for in the teeth?
0:03:54 > 0:03:58We're checking they're clean and that he's not got any disease.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01So we'll have a listen to his heart now, as well.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- Meow!- Hello!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It's OK. He's very chatty.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Do you want to put those in your ears,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and you can have a little listen.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16It sounds like...rolling down the hill, but very fast.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17THEY CHUCKLE
0:04:17 > 0:04:20RORY AND KYLIE: Ba-doom-ba-doom-ba-doom.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Is that what you're looking for?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25We want to check it's a nice rhythm,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- and his heart sounds fine. - Marvellous!
0:04:27 > 0:04:30We'll have a little check of his coat.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34We're just looking for any signs of fleas or any sore patches.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37But he's got a lovely coat. It's very shiny.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- And the other thing with Oscar is he's lost his back right leg.- Yes.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45That happened a few years ago, didn't it, Sophia? Yeah.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- But he walks fine on three legs, doesn't he?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Even though Oscar has three legs, he can climb up the fences.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- Can he? Wow!- What an amazing guy.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02We'll check how he feels along his back and back leg.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06When they've only got one back leg, they can use that a bit too much
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and they sometimes get a bit sore.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13He's a little bit fidgety when we get to that area of his spine.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- See that. Yes.- He has a lot more muscle than normal on his left leg
0:05:18 > 0:05:21because he's using that instead of his right one.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25He generally looks in good health. I'm very happy with him.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28The important thing when they only have three legs
0:05:28 > 0:05:30is that they don't get overweight.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34It might be helpful as he's got a bit of stiffness in his back
0:05:34 > 0:05:36to take him for some physio.
0:05:38 > 0:05:39Let Me Explain.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Physio is short for physiotherapy -
0:05:42 > 0:05:46a treatment that helps an animal move their joints or muscles
0:05:46 > 0:05:50when it's been affected by injury, illness or disability.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54The physio uses exercises to help strengthen the animal's body
0:05:54 > 0:05:56and help them get stronger.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Lots of animals can have physiotherapy -
0:05:59 > 0:06:02cats, dogs and even some larger animals.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Looking at the muscles, maybe a massage?
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Yeah. Some manipulations, and massage would be really helpful.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- He might enjoy that. - He loves being stroked.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- He's such a good boy, isn't he? - Great.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Well, I tell you what, while we get this guy ready for his physio,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26let's see what else has been happening at the vets today.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Today At The Vets!
0:06:31 > 0:06:36It's a busy day at the vets, with lots of dogs visiting.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Rusty, the King Charles spaniel, has come in to have his teeth cleaned.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Milo has had sore legs recently,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47so Kylie is checking to make sure he's feeling better.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Bolty has been brought in to get some medicine for her ears.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Bo the bulldog is about to have a litter of puppies,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02so she's in to check everything is going well.
0:07:02 > 0:07:03But it's not just dogs.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08A rescue centre has also brought in some of their cats for a checkup.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12They all look to be nice and healthy.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Let's open out the bed for him to lay on.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21We've gone back to Sophia's house to meet Melissa,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24who's preparing a cat physiotherapy session for Oscar.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28You are an animal physiotherapist, which is a very cool job.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31What are you going to be doing for Oscar today?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35We'll be looking at his muscles, making sure they're healthy
0:07:35 > 0:07:39and that he's able to run around and jump and do all the normal things.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46So we do some stroking first of all to warm everything up.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48This is quite a good job, stroking cats.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51THEY LAUGH
0:07:52 > 0:07:54That's a nice rub right along the spine.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Does this hurt him? Is there any pain here?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59No, no, it doesn't hurt him at all.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- It should just make him more comfortable.- OK.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06He's stroking you with his tail. Did you see that?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09So I'm just stroking the leg to warm up the skin.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12What's next, then, Melissa?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16We're going to do some exercises with him which will hopefully
0:08:16 > 0:08:20help strengthen his leg and keep everything working healthily.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24OK, great. This is a wobble board. Why's it called that?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28It's called a wobble board because they wobble on it
0:08:28 > 0:08:32and it just helps their muscles to get strength.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And now for Oscar's next exercise, stepping over poles.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39This will help strengthen coordination in his back leg.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Coordination is like balance, and using his legs in the right order.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Good boy! And this way.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Well done! Well done! What a good boy!
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Have you got something else he can play with where?
0:08:53 > 0:08:57The last thing is an infrared light we run over the muscles.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It helps them keep nice and healthy
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- and stop and tightness from reoccurring.- OK.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08So, what are the next steps, Melissa, for Oscar?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10He should have regular massage sessions
0:09:10 > 0:09:15just to make sure his muscles keep nice and loose and healthy,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- and continue with some of the exercises.- Cool.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Sophia, can you do that?- Of course.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I will keep playing with him.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26That is perfect. That's going to keep him fit and healthy.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Thank you for letting me come and meet your awesome cat Oscar.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38I'd love to come back and see how he's getting on soon.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Yes, please, Rory.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42That's brilliant.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Now, I wonder what Ferne's been up to today?
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Vets Go!
0:09:50 > 0:09:52BEEP-BEEP!
0:09:52 > 0:09:57This wildlife park is home to lots of animals.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Today, I'm going to meet vet Rachel
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and one of the park's fluffiest residents.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- So, who's this?- This is Teddy,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- and Teddy is one of our three arctic foxes.- He is beautiful!
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Arctic foxes are well known for their white coats,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14but that's what they get in winter.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18In the summer, they shed their fur and go this dark colour.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Their coat is half as thick, so they don't get too warm.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Why are you seeing Teddy today?
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Teddy has short ulna syndrome, which means that he had a twisted leg.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Is that in the front of his leg? - Down the bottom, down here.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36He had an accident when he was a little cub before he came here,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40which means he damaged one of the bones in the lower leg.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Unfortunately, as the other bone carried on growing,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48it twisted the leg around, so it has this crooked appearance.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49So what I'm looking for...
0:10:49 > 0:10:54Good boy. ..is just to see if it bends nicely, which it does.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57We want to make sure there's a full range of movement
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and that his elbow is moving nicely.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03He doesn't seem to have any signs of pain in that elbow
0:11:03 > 0:11:07or any worries in the lower part of his leg.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09OK. So, what's next for Teddy?
0:11:09 > 0:11:12He's going to have a little clinical examination.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Just a little onceover.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18He's being a little bit of a fidget today. That's it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Nice sharp teeth there.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24We want to make sure those teeth are nice and haven't got much plaque.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26What are you feeling for with his body?
0:11:26 > 0:11:30We check for any creepy-crawlies that live within the coat
0:11:30 > 0:11:34that could make him itchy or make his skin become sore.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Like fleas or ticks?- Exactly.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Foxes are very closely related to our pet dogs and they can get
0:11:40 > 0:11:44a lot of the same creepy-crawlies in their coat that our pets can.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48And we just check his feet, make sure his claws aren't too long.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51They're OK at the moment because they do like to dig a lot.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55This really thick fur is perfect for keeping their feet cosy
0:11:55 > 0:11:58when they live in their freezing habitats.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02His body and feet are looking great. What else do you need to do?
0:12:02 > 0:12:05To keep his coat looking good and to make sure
0:12:05 > 0:12:08we've got no parasites and stop him getting any,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10we need to do a drop of liquid
0:12:10 > 0:12:14that goes just on his skin between his fur, and that's it.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- As simple as that.- Well done! He's desperate to get going.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Let's let him go. - Let's have a look at you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- He's quick, even with his bendy leg. - Definitely. He copes very nicely.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31He's looking good. He's sussing out his lunch.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I don't blame him.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37It has been wonderful seeing Teddy and seeing how you look after him.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Thank you very much.- No problem.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Recently, I visited Sophia and her three-legged cat Oscar.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53He's been getting physiotherapy
0:12:53 > 0:12:56and I can't wait to see how he's been getting on.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Hi, everyone.- Hi, Rory.- Hiya, Rory.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Ollie, how has Oscar been getting on?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- He's been a really good boy. - Aw, that's good.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- And what do you think, Sophia? - He's been playing and running a lot.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- Would you like to play with him now? - Of course I would. Come on.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21OLLIE AND SOPHIA LAUGH
0:13:29 > 0:13:32OLLIE AND SOPHIA LAUGH
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Thank you for joining us
0:13:34 > 0:13:37and finding out all about this amazing cat Oscar.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Se you next time for more Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42ALL: Bye!
0:13:48 > 0:13:53# Ferne and Rory telling you the story of some poorly pets
0:13:53 > 0:13:58# We will take them, show you how to make them better at the vets
0:13:58 > 0:14:03# Vet Tales, these are our Vet Tales
0:14:03 > 0:14:07# Vet Tales Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales. #