Episode 2 Junior Vets on Call

Pets, wildlife and all sorts of other creatures are in trouble.

The nation's vets and animal carers need assistance.

And now thanks to you lot...

BOTH: They've got it.

When we yelled "help," you didn't let us down.

And we've got a network of volunteer junior vets.

-On call and standing by.

-Ready to jump in.

And fix up ill and injured animals.

-Whatever they are...

-Wherever they are.

Today, a poorly pony.

-A noisy pig.

-And a bouncy dog.

Good girl!

I'm ready for another day fixing

animals at this vet in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

You know what? I don't even need the junior vets today.

I got this covered.

On second thoughts. I'm going to need them.

BOTH: We are junior vets standing by.

I'd like to work with animals when I'm older,

but I also love baking too.

I love all animals.

But gory operations kind of freak me out.

It's pretty busy in there today, junior vets.

I'll tell you what. Hannah, are you any good at organising?

-I'm super organised.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, colour code everything.

-Oh, right.

What about you, Abi? I hear you like baking and animals.

Are you going to combine the two?

Free-range produce. Maybe live on a farm.

That sounds pretty good.

Right. Are you ready to help some animals, girls?

-Mm-hm.

-Yes.

-All right, let's do this.

Hold up. We're going the wrong way.

The staff at Galedin Vets get their fair share of unusual cases

to sort out. And what's this? An emergency already.

Roger the dog's in trouble.

Don't worry, vet David, me and junior vets are on it.

This is Roger. He's a one-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback.

And at the weekend the owners saw him on the beach eat a tennis ball.

He also ate an insole this morning.

So it can't come out the front, it can't come out the back,

so you've got to open him up?

If we make him vomit there's a very significant risk he could choke,

so we're going to have to remove it surgically.

How you feeling, junior vets?

Just feel sorry for him. He just wanted to eat a tennis ball.

Hey, Lesley, what's the score with naughty Roger?

He likes tennis balls, any tennis ball.

He'll find it in the undergrowth in the river.

I don't know how he sniffs them out. He just manages it.

Don't worry, Lesley.

My junior vets have their eye on the ball.

No, I mean it, they really have.

This is a side-on view of his abdomen.

There's some food in the stomach, which is this morning's breakfast.

And then this is the tennis ball here.

I was quite impressed that he could eat a tennis ball, to be fair.

-Yeah, but he'd done that so many times before, didn't he?

-Yeah.

Roger's making a habit of this, but this time it's serious.

If you didn't get the tennis ball out, what would happen?

As soon as that tennis ball tries to move into the small intestine,

which is a much narrower tube here, it's going to block it.

Don't worry, Roger. Let's get the ball rolling.

Vets are a clever bunch.

They always have to expect the unexpected,

from different breeds to different species.

No two days are ever the same,

so our junior vets will have to be ready for anything.

Well, are you?

BOTH: Junior vets standing by.

I have always loved animals.

That's why I want to become a vet.

My grandparent's cat Bing is my favourite animal in the whole world.

So, junior vets, big day today.

Dystance, why do you want to be a vet so much?

I love animals. They're so cute and I love helping them.

And, Isabelle, apparently you're really,

-really spoiling your grandparent's cat. Is that right?

-Yes, so I am.

I make mazes for him and toys and he really enjoys them.

Spoiling your cat by putting him in a maze. Sounds really good.

I think there should be animals here who will be in need of help.

-Are we ready to help them out today? BOTH:

-Yeah.

Excellent. Let's get to it.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Dorset.

You lot look like you're having a lovely time.

This is where unwanted and unwell animals come to get better

and get new homes.

Who's this, vet Andrew?

Right, junior vets. This is Bess. This is your patient today.

She's 15 years old.

She's lovely. But what's up?

-Oh, she's missing an eye.

-Oh, yeah.

Poor Bess. And it looks like that ain't the old girl's only problem.

Bess used to be looked after by quite an elderly lady

before she came here

and this lady just wasn't able to look after her as well

as she would have liked and she's been left with quite sore feet.

She was still really pretty even though she had one eye.

Yeah, but she looked like she was in a lot of pain.

Horses' hooves are made of keratin,

the same stuff as our fingernails and they grow all the time too.

Bess's hooves have grown so long that even standing about is painful.

She was on pain relief and we kept her in a box with a nice

soft bed so that she wasn't putting weight on the hard ground.

And she did seem to get better for a little,

but she's quite sore on her feet again.

She's not wanting to put the weight on them totally.

Because she looked like she was in a lot of pain,

I really wanted to help her feel better.

Getting stuck in there. That's good, junior vets.

There we go. That's it.

That was real skill.

-It was.

-She did the click there as well.

Aw, that's great work. But we're all worried about her hooves.

-It feels hard.

-Yeah, really hard.

-Yeah.

And hard means painful.

Ouch.

OK, Bess, let's see how bad this is.

Can we check out your walking, please?

What we're looking out for is how well she's striding out.

Well, she's nodding her head.

I think she puts one forward faster than the other.

Faster than the other one. So that tends to tell us that

it might be the right foot that she's feeling the pain in more.

You did really well spotting that. She had a bit of a limp.

I don't think I would have spotted that.

We know she's got some sort of pain going on in all of those feet.

So the next step now that we know that is to take some X-rays.

What's the worst case scenario?

When we take the X-rays of her feet we find that there's signs

that pain is getting worse again.

Unfortunately we have to think about how good her quality of life is.

So could go either way at this point.

-We'll keep our fingers crossed for Bess.

-Yeah.

What are the chances of us answering

all of your amazing animal questions?

Hi, Inel. Very high. Sarah.

Do animals find things funny or like...laugh?

Cos I know a hyena laughs, but do other animals laugh

or find anything funny?

Ha-ha!

Uh, what's up, Inel?

I'm sorry. It's just what Sarah said. That was so funny.

Not funny, Inel.

But stay tuned, we'll find out.

OK, junior vets Hannah and Abi, this is an emergency.

Roger the dog needs you.

He swallowed a tennis ball and it's stuck in his stomach.

What's the plan, vet David?

This is the anaesthetic I'm drawing up.

He's only sedated at the moment, although he looks pretty much

flat out, if we hurt him at all he's going to wake up immediately.

Every second counts now for Roger.

Concentration.

Crack on, David. The junior vets are right behind you.

I'm not too afraid of blood, to be fair.

I'm not very good with operations.

I suppose it makes you relax a bit

when you thinking it's for the better.

It's going to make the dog a lot better.

But it's not something you see everyday.

I was quite nervous going in because I don't like watching things

like that on TV. I don't like things getting cut open.

David's found the tennis ball. OK, junior vets, take your positions.

This the remains of the tennis ball in here.

What I've done is I've put some stay sutures in which will stop

the stomach from recoiling back into the abdomen.

If Roger's stomach leaks, it could cause a serious infection.

The stomach was attached to a piece of string

and the string was attached to some scissors

and I had to hold the scissors.

We weren't allowed to pull it

too hard as well cos then it was like putting strain on it.

Hold on tight, junior vets, Roger is counting on you.

I was just scared that I'm going to do something wrong.

I don't want to look, but I do at the same time.

Uh, I can't look either.

Something tells me this isn't going to be pretty.

The tennis ball is covered in dog food Roger has noshed.

-We've got it.

-That's the tennis ball.

Let's get you stitched up, Roger.

It was a minging smell.

It was one of those moments where it just hits you suddenly.

-Yeah.

-You're like, "It smells OK,"

and then it suddenly comes and you're like, "Oh, no, it doesn't."

Smells a bit like a really bad fart.

Hm, sorry, Roger, but Abi has a point.

Let's hope we've got the stomach to finish this surgery.

Junior vets Isabelle and Dystance are treating

Bess the pony's overgrown hooves.

If there is no chance they'll get better,

it could be really bad news for the poor old girl.

I was really worried for Bess.

We need to take X-ray images so we can see inside Bess's hooves.

This is our machine for taking the X-rays here.

Feel how heavy that is.

-It doesn't look too heavy.

-Have a go.

Just leave it there.

Come on, Bess, be better.

You just want it moved over a little bit to the right.

Now we're ready to take the X-ray. We've got everything lined up.

So, junior vets,

looking like it could be quite a bleak outcome for Bess.

How you feeling about it?

-It's really upsetting.

-Yeah, of course. It's just really sad.

So, Andrew, what do we need to look for in the X-rays?

Looking at the front of the bone here, so this line down here.

And then we're looking at the front of the hoof,

so this is the outer aspect of the hoof here.

-Yeah.

-OK.

And what we want them to be is quite parallel.

We don't want them to be rotation of that bone.

I see. So these two bits need to be at the same angle like this...

What do you think, Dystance?

The bone's gone back a bit.

It has. The bone has rotated a little bit, hasn't it?

Doesn't seem to be quite parallel, does it?

It's actually running further away from it.

Exactly.

I was hoping for a good result

and just hoped that she was getting better.

But if we then have a little look at what we took ten weeks ago...

-to compare again.

-Wow.

There's a mark difference between the angle there.

-It's got better, then?

-Exactly.

So I think we can be fairly positive

and say that she is making good progress based on those results.

-It's very good.

-It's really uplifting.

It had a weight on your shoulders before. Now it's lifted.

Yes! That's great news, Bess.

You've got a way to go yet, girl. But things are definitely looking up.

Nice one, junior vets.

She looks happy now.

Good luck, Bess.

Earlier Sarah asked us this...

Do animals find things funny or laugh?

Cos I know a hyena laughs,

but do other animals laugh or find anything funny?

Ha-ha!

Eh, what you laughing at, Inel?

Well, the funny thing about this is, yes,

some animals do find things funny.

I mean, look at this lot.

Monkeys can have a right old giggle if tickled.

Watch this.

Well, I never! Where did you find that, Inel?

Research, my man, research.

How's Roger the dog getting on?

That pesky tennis ball is out of his belly.

Hannah and Abi, we've still got plenty to do.

Let's get this fella stitched up.

It's very important that we have a watertight seal with these sutures.

Just seeing it, it's phenomenal.

Urgh, this is not a pretty sight.

Hey, Hannah, are you all right?

I've gone light-headed. Is it OK if I go out the room, please?

Whoa. You better take a break, Hannah.

Abi, you good to take over?

Yeah, I'm just worried about Hannah.

I think it was the heat. I have a lot of hair to keep under the hat,

so it was a very small hat to keep a lot of hair in.

I just got too hot.

You're not the first vet to feel faint, Hannah.

And you won't be the last.

It's quite common. It's not to do with the gore, it's standing still

and the heat sometimes in the operating theatre can affect people.

Stay focused, Abi.

I think you did really well.

Considering you were in there on your own as well.

That's it.

At last we're done.

You'll be feeling like a top dog in no time, Roger.

Right, so Isabelle and Dystance are on a roll at the rescue centre.

And their next patient is...

It's Neville the pig.

What's his story, vet Matt?

There is a problem with buying pigs.

People expect them to stay the size of a small piglet.

But invariably they do grow a little bit bigger

and this chap has outgrown a few homes and ultimately

he fell out with their Chihuahua and that's why he's here today.

So you lost out to a Chihuahua, eh, Nev?

OK, junior vets, let's get the new guy checked over.

Because he's lived with a Chihuahua

he actually does think he's still a dog.

And I've heard we can get him to sit like a dog with some nuts.

And whilst he's sitting, Dystance,

if you position the head of the stethoscope just behind

his left armpit, you should be able to hear his heart, OK?

I never thought I would ever be helping a pig sit.

While feeding it nuts.

Neville, sit.

Neville. Sit.

Sit.

You'll have this if you sit.

-You might want to do it now.

-Yeah.

-Sit.

It was really cool to actually watch a pig act like a dog.

This isn't as bonkers as it sounds. Pigs are really intelligent animals.

And some experts reckon that they are brighter than cats and dogs.

Oi! He liked to run away.

-Turn him around.

-OK.

Like towards you.

Neville.

Neville.

Neville. Neville!

Are these one of the difficulties of being a farm vet?

Yeah, trying to keep the animals still is hard.

Sometimes you do just have to hold them quite tight and they squeal

and it sounds like you're doing something a lot worse than you are.

OK, you have been warned.

Let's do this health check.

NEVILLE SQUEALS

Neville's scream was unbelievably loud.

It hurt my ears.

Yeah, it hurt mine as well.

I couldn't even hear myself think.

NEVILLE SQUEALS

Eh, Isabelle, I can't hear you!

It sounds like an alarm clock's going off. More like a fire alarm.

Don't forget, this isn't actually hurting Neville,

and this examination is for his own good.

OK, guys. Do you want to have a close look at his eyes as well.

Make sure they're clear.

-There's no injuries or clouding on them.

-No.

They do. He's in good health, isn't he?

He seems pretty strong to me.

Chill out, Neville. You still need your worming medicine.

You don't want to get any nasty parasites, do you?

Would one of you like to offer him that and give him his medicine?

Well, that was easy. Anything else, Matt?

He must be marked with an ear tag.

Oh, no.

I'm not sure Neville's going to come quietly.

NEVILLE SQUEALS

Better clean up Neville's ear sharpish, Dystance.

Be brave, Neville. It will be over in a second.

NEVILLE SQUEALS

Good lad. Tagged, wormed and ready for rehoming.

What are the chances of him finding a new home?

Hopefully good. As you can see, he's a real sweetie.

There's every chance that somebody will take him on.

They'll just need some earplugs.

Barker, are you ready for some amazing animal talent?

-Woof-woof!

-Good boy.

# Doggy, dog, lift your tail up

# Doggy, dog, lift your tail up

# Doggy lift your tail up

# Doggy lift your tail up

# Doggy lift your tail up

# Show us what you've got. #

First up, skills from Grace and Meg.

I want to show off a special skill that me and Meg have together.

Meggy, jump! Yay. Good girl!

We do agility every Sunday.

Wow. Every Sunday.

Yeah, no wonder Meg is so good.

Every Sunday. Seriously, I am really impressed.

Nearly every Sunday.

BOTH: Oh!

Not even every Sunday.

It's false advertising.

Hm. Fibster.

Jump. Come on.

Come on. Yay. Good girl.

Now that's impressive. That's impressive.

On a trampoline.

Well done, Meggy, and well done, Grace.

I know. A trampolining dog! And they don't even practice every Sunday.

-I know.

-Jump.

Next, Toby and Flame need help.

This is Flame, he's my guinea pig.

And now he's old he's getting a bit constipated.

So we have to manually evacuate him where his poo is.

And is there anyway of him not being constipated

so we don't have to do this?

Poo.

Poo, yes.

But what he's doing for Flame, now that is a sign of true friendship.

Would you do that for me, Inel?

If I was, uh...constipated?

Never.

But I would advise you to eat more

fresh fruit and veg and drink more water,

and I'll probably help you clean out your cage as well.

I don't live in a cage. Stop saying that.

All right. Here, look.

Eat this and drink some of this, hey?

Inel, I'm not constipated!

See. It's working already.

Now remember, wash your hands after handling animal,

and Toby's had his technique approved by a vet.

Who's the next patient for Isabelle and Dystance?

Oh, it's Ivy the cat.

Hello. Where you off to? Oh, she's on the run.

I really like cats.

I was really excited when I saw Ivy.

Oh, nicely done, Isabelle.

Poor Ivy hasn't had a great start in life.

What's her story, Matt?

I've came to us about two and half months ago

and she'd been living under a shed for several weeks

and was not in a very good way.

She only weighted 2.8kg,

which for a cat of her frame is certainly on the thin side.

So today what we want to do is give her a thorough health check.

She shouldn't be treated like that - under a shed.

Yeah, it was really upsetting.

But she's lucky you're here to help, junior vets.

The sooner Ivy gets the all-clear from you,

-the sooner she can find a new home. Let's do this.

-How does it sound?

It sounds OK.

SHE MIMICS HEARTBEAT

Nice one.

Sounds like a good little beat to dance to.

Yeah.

It's very steady as well.

Yeah, lovely. On the whole, that's a very good heart.

Hang on, Isabelle. What have you found?

I feel something... Kind of scabs.

And what do you think might have caused those?

-Fleas.

-Very good. Yes. So they're very good at picking up fleas.

Certainly with her wanting to go home today,

that's something that we wouldn't want.

I'm well impressed with that spot, Isabelle.

Just need to check that Ivy is now free from those unwanted pests.

Just a few hours ago, Roger the dog was in a right old pickle.

Thanks to the junior vets, he is now minus one tennis ball.

Bet you can't wait to see your boy, Lesley.

You get so close to your animals.

They become... Well, they are part of the family.

And it's like a child going into the hospital. It's just a big worry.

"Are they going to be all right?"

Nearly there, Lesley. The junior vets have one more important check.

I'm about to put a thermometer up his bottom

so that we can take his temperature.

-It's a nice welcome back present.

-I'm ecstatic.

The bum temperature went back down to normal.

-Hi.

-Hello.

The operation on Roger went really well.

He's took really well to all the injections we've given him.

He should be home tomorrow, but he's going to stay overnight tonight

so they can check his stitches and make sure he's all OK.

-But apart from that he's doing really well.

-Thank you.

He was on anaesthetic, so he didn't feel anything.

But he has got a plaster over his stitches

so it won't get caught or anything.

-Have you got any questions to ask?

-I haven't. I'd like to see him.

-Yeah, we can take you through to see him now.

-Thank you.

You're loving all the attention.

It showed that what you do does make a difference

and does affect people in a positive way.

It was really nice to see them back together.

-Is he quite mischievous?

-He is.

Very mischievous, hence the operation.

-No more tennis balls.

-No more tennis balls.

I think he's lovely.

And he did really well.

-Are you pleased to see him?

-Oh, definitely.

-My handsome boy.

-We'll take him out for a walk later.

OK.

And we have his tennis ball.

My goodness. Look at that.

Whoa. No wonder you were feeling "ruff", Roger.

At the rescue cattery, Ivy the cat is ready for a new home

as long as she passes the junior vets' tests.

Can you see anything crawling around?

-No, I can't see anything.

-I can't see anything.

Another trick we have is if we get a bit of white paper

and if we give her a brush...

Nothing.

All good so far.

But Ivy arrived here really thin.

The big thing that I really want to see today before we're happy

to let Ivy go home is that perhaps she's gained even more weight

or certainly not lost any.

Fingers crossed.

That new home's in sight now.

Last time we were 3.4, so let's see what she is today.

Oh, I can't look.

She gained some weight, which was really good.

-So it meant she could be rehomed.

-Phew! What a relief.

Yeah, that was really great news to hear.

-Thank you.

-You have a really beautiful cat.

Thank you.

Enjoy your new home, Ivy.

Brilliant junior vetting today from everyone.

Dystance and Isabelle put in a big shift,

helping three different patients.

Isabelle, explain to me how you felt as you were being able to hand over

Ivy to her new owners to enjoy her new life?

It made me feel really happy because it reminded me

of when my cat got given to my grandparents.

And, Dystance, was there anything that you had to do that you

were maybe not expecting to have to do?

It's really hard to catch a pig.

It is really hard to catch a pig,

which is something you can certainly tell your friends.

You've been pig catching.

Hannah and Abi, thanks to you Roger will soon be back to his old self.

Let's hope he's learned his lesson.

Well, its hard to believe it's six hours

since we were looking at his insides, eh, junior vets?

Yeah, he's looking much better.

Yeah. You girls did a good job.

-On the surgery there.

-It weren't very pretty.

Doctor's orders, mate, don't eat any more tennis balls.

-Stick to dog food.

-Yeah, stick to dog food.

Thank you, junior vets, this lot are loving your work.