0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello, I'm Ferne. Today I'm at a riding stables in London
0:00:05 > 0:00:08to meet Alice and Woody, and a beautiful pony called Flo,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11who's getting a special visit from the vet.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15And I'm Rory. I'm at a wildlife park here in the Highlands of Scotland
0:00:15 > 0:00:19to see how their vet keeps their polar bears in top condition.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25# Ferne and Rory telling you the story
0:00:25 > 0:00:28# Of some poorly pets
0:00:28 > 0:00:31# We will take them, show you how to make them
0:00:31 > 0:00:32# Better at the vet's
0:00:32 > 0:00:34# Vet Tales! MEOW!
0:00:34 > 0:00:37# These are our Vet Tales!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39# Vet Tales! BAA!
0:00:39 > 0:00:41# Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales! #
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Hi, I'm Alice and I love horses.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50This is my little brother, Woody.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53He loves horses, too.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Our mum works at a riding stables.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00We love going there to see the horses and ponies.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02We help look after them.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06This is Flo. She's one of our favourite ponies.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10We groom her and pick out her hooves.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13We really love riding the ponies.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15It's so much fun!
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- Hiya, Alice!- Hello, Ferne.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- Hi, Woody.- Hi!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- Hello, Natalie.- Hi, Ferne!
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- Woody, are you getting this pony some water?- Yeah.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- So, Alice, who have we got? Who's this?- We've got Flo.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- She is beautiful. She's a lovely chestnut colour, isn't she?- Yeah.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51And I love the star on her forehead. Do you and Woody like riding Flo?
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Yes, but we can't right now because she's got poorly hooves.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59I hear that Flo is getting a special visit from the vet
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- today to help her. Is that right?- Yes.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05So, while your mum and Woody see to the other ponies,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- should I help you and the vet with Flo?- Yes.- OK.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- Come on, Flo.- Come on.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21This is vet Elaine.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25She's been a vet for six years.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29She once operated on a gorilla's shoulder
0:02:29 > 0:02:33and has even helped to check over a giraffe.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39This is Daisy, and she's going to be helping us out for the vet check
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- today. And here comes Elaine now. Hiya!- Hi, Ferne.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- Hi, Alice.- Hi, Elaine. - Why are you looking at Flo today?
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Flo has a condition called laminitis, so we need to check
0:02:49 > 0:02:52how she's doing, and what we need to do to make her feel better.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Laminitis is a problem animals can get in their hooves,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and it can be really painful if it's not treated.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01How are you going to check for that?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Often ponies with laminitis can have a high heart rate,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06so that's the first thing I'm going to check.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07How's it sounding?
0:03:07 > 0:03:09She's got a high heart rate.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- Do you want to have a listen? - Yes, please.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17What does it sound like?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19It sounds like my heart
0:03:19 > 0:03:22when it goes beat, beat, beat, beat.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- But louder. - I bet it's very loud.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I also need to feel her hooves.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Often, they can be hotter than normal, which is
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- a sign that they're sore. - That feels warm.- It is quite warm.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Do you want to touch here? What does this one feel like?
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- It feels quite hot. - They are quite hot.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Why are their hooves warmer with laminitis?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Because there's more inflammation in the foot.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49That means it's swelling up and would be quite painful?
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Exactly, they're called the sensitive laminae, and with
0:03:51 > 0:03:55laminitis, they become inflamed and swollen, and that causes
0:03:55 > 0:03:57a lot of sensitivity and heat in the foot.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59So, she's got warm feet and a high heart rate.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Is there anything else you can check for?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Yes, often ponies with laminitis
0:04:03 > 0:04:06also have something called an increased digital pulse.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Just like we have a pulse,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12they also have pulses that run down the sides of their fetlock.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- OK, so just at the back of her foot, there?- Yep.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Would you like to try? See what it feels like.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24The back feels like a pulse like we get in our wrist.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- It does, doesn't it?- So, the next thing that we need to do
0:04:27 > 0:04:29is take some X-rays of her feet.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32That's exciting. Do you know what an X-ray is?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35It's like a camera that shows bones.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Perfect, well done.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41An X-ray is just like a photograph of the inside of the body.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- So, do we need to clear the room before you do that?- We do.- OK.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- See you soon, Flo.- Bye!
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Once she's put on protective clothing, Elaine uses
0:04:51 > 0:04:55a special machine to take pictures of the insides of Flo's hooves.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- So, how did Flo do, Elaine? - She did very well.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03- So, these are the bones right inside Flo's foot?- Yes.- That's amazing.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Sometimes ponies with laminitis can get movement of this bone.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Luckily, her bone is still in the right position.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- So, her laminitis isn't really bad? - It's not very serious, no.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17What do we need to do to help her?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19She needs plenty of rest.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22We need to put her on a healthy diet that's low in sugar,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and we also need to get her some new shoes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27So, for Flo, no treats, new shoes.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Yes.- I cannot wait to see this.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Horses' hooves grow very fast.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41And some can grow the length of a whole new hoof in just one year.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Not all horses need shoes,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46but some horses can wear their hooves down faster
0:05:46 > 0:05:49than they can grow, so by having horseshoes fitted,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51it helps to protect their hooves.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55The horseshoe can also help to stop the horse from slipping,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and special medical boots can support their joints
0:05:58 > 0:05:59to help with lameness.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03This is Will, the farrier.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07A farrier's special job is to sort out all the horses' hoof problems.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09So, will you be giving Flo new shoes today?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Yes, but first I'm going to trim her hooves.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- OK, sounds good.- Off we go.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Will cleans and trims Flo's hoof,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19to make sure it's ready for her new shoe.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22So, basically, we're just cleaning out all the old sole.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24This is just like us cutting our nails.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- She's doing really well, isn't she? - Even with her poorly feet.- Yeah.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Well, this will help her feet, won't it?- Yes.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Next, Will uses a rasp, which is a bit like a nail file,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39to smooth out any bumps or cracks around the edges of Flo's hoof.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- She's going to look like she's got brand-new hooves, isn't she?- Yep.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Well done, Flo.- She's a very good girl, isn't she?- Yeah.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- We're going to start fitting her shoes now.- Oh, wow.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54And it's going to go crash, crash, crash.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- Is it a lot noisier than us getting new shoes?- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Will shapes a glowing hot shoe using a hammer and anvil.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- Oh, my goodness, that is so hot, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09He then cools it down in a bucket of water.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11So, that's a brand-new shoe.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13A brand-new shoe, ready to go on.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- Are you ready for this?- Yes.- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17This is the exciting bit.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Will checks that the shoe fits Flo's hoof.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's amazing, isn't it? Because you can see that it's so hot
0:07:23 > 0:07:27but it definitely doesn't hurt Flo. She's not even flinching.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32Now for a couple more adjustments.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34And Flo's shoe is the perfect fit.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37That's the first shoe going on.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Looks good.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Think it fits her foot nicely. Are you happy, Flo?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Now time for her other foot.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Can we come over and look at the shoes?- Of course you can.- Thank you.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- They look great.- I agree, I think they look fantastic.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Great job, Will. - Thank you very much.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08While Flo gets used to her new shoes,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12let's see who else vet Elaine has been checking on today.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Vet Elaine is not just here to see Flo today.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24She also takes a look at Paddy.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30His teeth have become sharp, and they need filed down a little.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32And a checkup for little Dotty, too,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36to make sure that her eyes are nice and healthy.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Alice, it has been wonderful meeting you and Flo.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I would love to come back and see you and Woody again,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and hopefully Flo will be feeling a bit better.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Would that be OK? - Yes, it would.- Thank you very much.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53While we give Flo some much-needed cuddles,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55let's see what Rory's up to.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Today, I've come to a wildlife park in the Highlands of Scotland,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11to meet a very special bear who has a sore paw.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29And right now he's waiting in the vet's enclosure for a checkup.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30Good boy.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37This is vet Jane, and she's brought me to the polar bear area.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40How many polar bears do you have in here, Jane?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43We have two male polar bears in here, Arktos and Walker.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Now, polar bears are awesome animals,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47found in the Arctic regions of the world.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Their skin is black but their fur is see-through
0:09:50 > 0:09:53so they can blend in in the snowy environment where they hunt.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55And, actually, one of the bears is ready for us now.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Yes, let's go.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- Hi there, Una.- Hi there. - And who've we got in here?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- This is Arktos, our polar bear. - What an absolute beauty.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08What's going on with Arktos today, Jane?
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Arktos has a problem with his feet.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12He gets something called an interdigital cyst
0:10:12 > 0:10:14which is a lump in between his toes.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Sometimes that can get infected
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and he did have an infection in there
0:10:17 > 0:10:18so we had to treat him for that.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21OK, and how did you treat him for this infection?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24For the infection, we had to give him some antibiotics, which is
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- tablets.- How many of those tablets do you have to give him?
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- Because he's big.- He is a big boy, he's about 560 kilos.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Wow, that's a lot heavier than me. - It is a lot heavier than all of us.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37So, he actually gets 15 tablets twice a day.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Your normal Labrador would get one tablet twice a day.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41That's a lot of tablets to take.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43How on earth do you get a polar bear to take a tablet?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46The best way to get Arktos to take a tablet is putting it in a hot dog.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48That's his favourite thing to have.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52But also what Una's doing is spraying the area with salty water
0:10:52 > 0:10:53as a kind of natural cleanser.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Polar bears don't do much grooming.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57He doesn't keep it clean himself.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00A lot of the other animals would keep that clean, but he doesn't.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02How do you get a chance to look at the foot, Jane?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04OK, you can see Una gets them to lie down,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and you can get a good look at his foot there
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and see the black bit, so that's where the cyst was,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11and that's where it's all healing up.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13So that's all healed up now, but you've got to keep it clean
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- with a spray.- Yes, and that's Una's doing
0:11:15 > 0:11:17with the salty water spray, to keep that clean.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20So if that's everything done here, Jane, what's next?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22What we're going to do now is let Arktos out into the enclosure
0:11:22 > 0:11:25with Walker, and he'll run up and we'll get a good look.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26So we'll go for a walk out and we can see him
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- and make sure that he's not lame. - Great. Let's go, then.- OK.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Well, guys, now that the polar bear's out in the enclosure,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- are you happy with how they're looking?- Yes, very happy with them.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44His foot's obviously not causing him any problems.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Had his treats, had his toys. Back to normal.- Great.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Well, Arktos, Walker, it's been wonderful seeing you guys.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53And Jane, Una, thank you so much for letting me
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- see these stunning animals up close. - Thank you.- You're welcome.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Recently, I met Alice and Woody and their gorgeous pony, Flo.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Now I'm back to see how they're all getting on since
0:12:09 > 0:12:11the vet and farrier paid a visit.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Hi, Woody!- Hi.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Hi, Alice.- Hi, Ferne. - How is little Flo doing?
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Her hooves are all better now. - Really?
0:12:25 > 0:12:26- So her new shoes are helping?- Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29You guys look like you're about to go out for a ride.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Is that right, Woody?- Yes.- What pony are you going to go on?- This!
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You're going to go on Dotty! Who are you going to ride, Alice?
0:12:37 > 0:12:38I'm going to ride Flo.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- So you can ride her now that her feet are all better?- Yes.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- Do you want to come?- I would love to. What pony can I ride?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- You can ride Dougie.- That sounds like fun, I would love to.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Shall we go?- Yeah.- Ready, Woody?
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Hee!- Hee-hee-hee!
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Whee!
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Hi, Dougie!
0:13:18 > 0:13:20So, how are you doing, Woody?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Good job!
0:13:23 > 0:13:25That was fantastic.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29I had so much fun, and it's great to see that Flo's doing really well.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- Thank you very much, Alice and Woody.- Thank you, Ferne.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37I hope you've enjoyed finding out all about Flo, too.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- See you next time for more Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales.- Bye!
0:13:49 > 0:13:54# Ferne and Rory telling you the story of some poorly pets
0:13:54 > 0:13:58# We will take them, show you how to make them better at the vet's
0:13:58 > 0:14:00# Vet Tales!
0:14:00 > 0:14:03# These are our Vet Tales!
0:14:03 > 0:14:05# Vet Tales!
0:14:05 > 0:14:08# Ferne and Rory's Vet Tales! #