0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hiya, I'm Ferne.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Today, I'm in Kent to meet Teagan, her auntie
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and their gorgeous pigs
0:00:07 > 0:00:10who are getting a special visit from the farm vet.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12I just love pigs!
0:00:12 > 0:00:13And I'm Rory.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15I'm at an alpaca farm in the Scottish Borders
0:00:15 > 0:00:18to see how the local vet keeps them fit and healthy.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26# Ferne and Rory telling you the story
0:00:26 > 0:00:28# 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 > 0:00:38# Vet tales These are our vet tales
0:00:38 > 0:00:42# Vet tales Ferne And Rory's Vet Tales! #
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Hi, my name's Teagan.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51I love coming to see the pigs at my auntie's farm.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54There are 11 pigs that live there.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Sybil, Sally,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00and nine piglets.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02The piglets are so cute.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Look at their curly tails!
0:01:05 > 0:01:07I like helping to look after them.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Piglets really enjoy their mud bath.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Pigs are my favourite animals!
0:01:29 > 0:01:34- Hi, Ferne.- Hiya, Teagan. And you must be Auntie Helen.- Hello.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- What are you guys doing?- Putting acorns in the bucket for the pigs.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- Oh, they're going to love that. - Shall we go and see them?
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Yes, please, that would be great.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Hello! Hi, pig!
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Oh, they look very excited to get these acorns as a special treat.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57There's so many, Teagan! What age are they?
0:01:57 > 0:01:59They're quite small.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- Three months.- Well, except for this one, who's this?- That's Sybil.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Hi, Sybil. Is she a bit older? - She's eight months old.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Oh. So these guys are still quite young.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- Do you know what young pigs are called?- Piglets.- Yeah.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18They're really wonderful. Hi! What types of pigs are they?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Berkshire pigs.- Oh, that's really special, isn't it?
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Cos they're quite rare.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24You can tell they're Berkshires because they're all black
0:02:24 > 0:02:28but they've got little white spots on their noses, their tails
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and also their feet, and they look like they're wearing socks.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33They love their tummies being rubbed.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Oh, you happy little piglet.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I think my favourite thing about pigs are their noses
0:02:40 > 0:02:43because they're really, really good at sniffing out tasty food.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45But I noticed there's one pig with a very special nose,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47she doesn't have a blaze on it.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- Who's that?- Blackie.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52She isn't eating as much and she's much smaller than the others.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55So is that why the vet is going to come visit today?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Yeah, hopefully he can help.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- Do you want to come and join us, Ferne?- I would love to.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02This is going to be interesting.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10This is vet Nick.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13He has been a vet for five years.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15When he was training, he treated
0:03:15 > 0:03:18a cheetah with two broken legs
0:03:18 > 0:03:19and also helped a Labrador
0:03:19 > 0:03:21who had eaten a toy dinosaur.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- Hey, guys.- Hiya, Nick. - Hi, Teagan.- Hello.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34How is little Blackie doing today, Teagan?
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- She's all right, but she's not eating as much as the others.- No?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- And she's a lot smaller.- Oh, OK.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- Shall we have a look at her, then? - Yeah.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44So where do you need to start when you give a little piglet a checkup?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Well, I think we'll start from the front and work back.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Checking her nose.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51What are you looking for with her nose?
0:03:51 > 0:03:52- Bogeys?- Yeah!
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Check there's nothing running out of there that shouldn't be.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Just looking at her mouth now,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00check that she's got all her teeth all right, there's nothing stuck.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- Great.- And then just checking her eyes,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04she if she's got any conjunctivitis.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07She might have an infection or something that would hurt her.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Could be. Yeah, absolutely. A quick check of her ears.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12And what are you looking for in her ears?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14See if there's any wax or any discharge in there.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Her trotters look good as well.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20What are you looking for with those trotters?
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Just checking that their nails aren't too long
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and that there's no sores on their feet.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26So we'll just have a quick listen to her heart
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- and to her lungs to check that they're OK.- OK.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32HEART THUMPS
0:04:34 > 0:04:36How does her heartbeat sound?
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It sounds really good, nice and healthy.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41I'm just listen to her breathing.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Just to check that her lungs sound OK.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48If they weren't OK, would you hear kind of like a crackle or a wheeze?
0:04:48 > 0:04:49Yeah, they'd be a bit crackly.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- And how are her lungs? - They sound good.- Well done!
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Lots of noises from eating.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Just going to feel her tummy and see if that's painful
0:04:58 > 0:05:00by pressing on it.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02She seems pretty happy.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04What would it mean if you pressed on her tummy
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- and it was sore?- Just that she had a bit of a painful belly, really.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Something that might stop her wanting to eat.- OK. So,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13she doesn't have any tummy ache, what else do you need to check for?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I'm just going to check her body condition,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17because, Teagan, you're worried
0:05:17 > 0:05:18that she's small and not eating too much.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21So we're just checking to see if I can feel her spine and her ribs,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26to see if she's underweight or if it's just that she is a small pig.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And everything feels good, so I think she's all right.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Great, so she's smaller than the others but she's still healthy.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Yeah, appears to be. - Well done, Blackie!
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Blackie has had her checkup and she's doing great,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- so what do you need to do next? - It's time to have a look
0:05:38 > 0:05:40at the rest of the piglets and make sure they're OK
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- and they haven't got any things like conjunctivitis.- Perfect.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Conjunctivitis is an eye infection that makes
0:05:50 > 0:05:54eyes itchy, puffy and a bit sore and red.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Sometimes, the eye will feel sticky, too.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01It can be treated with medicine, often drops or cream,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04to help clear up the eyes quickly.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07It's important that it's treated by a vet
0:06:07 > 0:06:09because it can spread to other animals easily.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Time for the rest of the piggies' checkups.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Who are you going to start with?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- This one. - How about his little one here?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21That little one looks good.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Just like with Blackie, vet Nick is checking each of the other
0:06:24 > 0:06:25piglets from snout to tail.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32And it's a great opportunity for an extra tummy scratch.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39So, how can you tell if a pig has conjunctivitis?
0:06:39 > 0:06:43So, you need to look in their eyes and see if they've got any red
0:06:43 > 0:06:46along the edge of their eyelid.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49And sometimes, they have a discharge as well, some gunk,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- like eye gunk.- OK.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Let's have a listen to this one.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Vet Nick is now checking the pigs using his stethoscope.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Do you want to come down here and have a listen, Teagan?- OK.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05HEART THUMPS
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- What does it sound like, Teagan? - All like...
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Dum, dum, dum...- Yeah?- Is it fast?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Yeah.- Yeah? A good, strong heartbeat.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20It's important to check that each pig has a healthy heart and lungs.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22How does that one's heart and lung sound?
0:07:22 > 0:07:26They sound good as well. They are excited about their food.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31And finally, vet Nick checks the piglets' body condition.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33They all seem to be very good.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Feeling along their back...
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Not too much squish.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40They're a good...a good weight.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41We're almost done,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45but it's not easy trying to examine lots of greedy piglets.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Oh, no.- Oh, no.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55Well done, pig.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58While we give this piglet some well-deserved tummy rubs,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02let's see who else vet Nick has been checking up on today.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11It's not just the piglets being examined by vet Nick today.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14His next patient is a lot bigger.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16This is Sally, she's the piglets' mum,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and we're going to give her a quick check over.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Nick examines Sally and checks her body condition.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Then he listens to her heart and lungs.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28And Sally is a healthy pig.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Vet Nick also gives eight-month-old Sybil a general checkup.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43All the pigs are healthy and free to go back to their mud baths.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50There you go, piggies.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Teagan, I have had a wonderful time meeting you
0:08:54 > 0:08:55and all your gorgeous pigs.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Do you think it would be all right
0:08:57 > 0:08:59if I came back soon to see how you're all getting on?
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Yeah, that would be really nice. - Thank you.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03I wonder what Rory's been up to.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11CAR HONKS
0:09:13 > 0:09:17This farm in the Scottish Borders is home to lots of adorable alpacas,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and I've come to meet with Stuart, who looks after them.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Hi, Stuart.- Hi, Rory, how are you?- Good.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24And look at all these beautiful guys!
0:09:24 > 0:09:27How many alpacas have you got here, on the farm?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30We've got 26 adults and four cria.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- And cria are the babies, of course, right?- Yes.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Alpacas are originally from South America,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and they're usually bred for their amazing coats.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It comes in lots of different colours, it's incredibly soft
0:09:41 > 0:09:42and also is great for people with allergies,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44so it's good in clothing as well.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46So, why do you keep these alpacas,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48apart from the fact they're very cute?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51We keep them for their fleece. They get sheared once a year.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53And we also do alpaca trekking with them.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- That sounds like amazing fun. - That's great fun.- Now,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I'm noticing there's a couple of different coats that these
0:09:59 > 0:10:01alpacas have, so you've got this one here,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03which is slightly longer.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Both of these guys, actually. And it's a bit more curly.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- This is a suri alpaca, right?- That's correct.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And these guys with the softer, looks a bit like a teddy bear...
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Hello, I know.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16And that's a huacaya alpaca. So two different kinds of coats.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Well, these guys are looking great, but I understand one of your
0:10:19 > 0:10:21alpacas has been having a wee bit of trouble.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Yes, Ringo has got a little bit of a skin problem,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27so we've asked Pete, our vet, to come out and have a check,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and just make sure he's OK, so Pete is waiting with Ringo
0:10:30 > 0:10:31in the stable as we speak.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Great, I'll pop over there now. - OK, no problem.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Cheers. See you later, Stuart.- Bye.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Hey, Pete.- Hi, Rory. So this is Ringo,
0:10:41 > 0:10:42and we're looking at him today
0:10:42 > 0:10:45because he's got a problem with a mite infestation.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48You can see he has lost the hair over his ears there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- So quite a bit of the hair has come off there, hasn't it?- Yeah,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54so this is caused by a little mite living on the surface of the skin,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58and it causes damage just the hair follicles and the hair comes out.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Mites are tiny bugs, no bigger than the pointy head of a pin,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05and they're in the same family as spiders and ticks.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09They can bite alpacas in the skin and also lay eggs under it as well,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and it can cause a lot of itchiness and problems.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13So how are we going to treat that, Pete?
0:11:13 > 0:11:17So we're going to get him a course of injections. It's important
0:11:17 > 0:11:19we treat the rest of the alpacas in the herd as well,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22so they don't keep spreading mites back and forth to each other.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Hopefully, with these injections, we can get it cleared up.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27So, how do we get him ready for these injections?
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- If you could hold on to his lead rope there.- Yeah, sure.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33And then, I'm going to put it under the skin, behind his leg.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36So this injection will help get rid of the mites on Ringo's body
0:11:36 > 0:11:39and help him to get better. This won't hurt at all,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41just a scrape, like us getting an injection?
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Exactly. He'll feel the needle going through the skin,
0:11:43 > 0:11:44but it won't sting at all.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Good boy, it's OK.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48That's fine, that's all done there.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50What a good boy, he did so well!
0:11:50 > 0:11:52OK, we can let him back to his friends in the field.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Oh, that's great. Ringo, you've been so good,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58you've definitely earned a wee treat. Here's a carrot.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59What a good boy!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Pete, thank you so much for introducing me to Ringo.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Not long ago, I met Teagan and her gorgeous piglets who got
0:12:10 > 0:12:12a very special visit from the farm vet.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Today, I'm back to see how they're all doing
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and to hopefully get some piggy cuddles too.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Hiya, Teagan, hi, Helen.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- BOTH:- Hi, Ferne. - What are you doing?
0:12:25 > 0:12:29We're collecting acorns for the pigs. Do you want to help me, Ferne?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- Yes, please.- Let's go.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Over here.- Here's some.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Oh, look at this super one.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45So, how any acorns do we need to collect for these piglets?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49A lot, to feed all of them, cos they eat lots and lots and lots.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50They're really hungry.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Shall we take these to the piglets? - Yes, I think we've got enough.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- Hi, pigs! - Here are your acorns, piggies!
0:13:08 > 0:13:10They love them, don't they?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- They eat loads.- They definitely do.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15How have they been doing, Teagan?
0:13:15 > 0:13:17They've been doing really well.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Blackie's been getting a bit fatter and eating more.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- I think that Nick will be happy to hear that, won't he?- Yeah,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- he will.- Well done, Blackie.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Hello, pig!
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Teagan, thank you so much for having me, I've really enjoyed it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33I hope you've had fun too,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36finding out all about these gorgeous piglets.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40See you next time for more Ferne And Rory's Vet Tales.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- BOTH:- Bye!
0:13:48 > 0:13:51# Ferne and Rory telling you the story
0:13:51 > 0:13:53# Of some poorly pets
0:13:53 > 0:13:56# We will take them Show you how to make them
0:13:56 > 0:13:58# Better at the vet's
0:13:58 > 0:13:59# Vet tales
0:13:59 > 0:14:02# These are our vet tales
0:14:02 > 0:14:04# Vet tales
0:14:04 > 0:14:07# Ferne And Rory's Vet Tales! #