Episode 10 Junior Vets

This is it! The final day at vet school for my junior vets.

Which means it's their final chance to impress,

as the junior vets carry out final check-ups

on their favourite patients.

And tensions rise as one of this lot is crowned head vet.

I'm Alex Riley and for the final time,

just in case you didn't get that, it's Junior Vets.

Pets, wildlife, farm animals, all in need of expert help.

Only a few weeks ago, at Edinburgh's amazing vet school,

six raw recruits arrived

to work alongside the school's top notch vets.

Aw! As if I just did that!

They've been pushed to their very limits...

..helping to save the lives of sick and injured animals.

Six junior vets and now, I'm about to choose one winner.

This year's head vet is...

This is it! Judgment day at vet school.

Can you believe it? Your time here at vet school is almost at an end.

Not long now.

Are you starting to see yourselves as possibly being

-vets in the future?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

I'm really, really proud of what you've achieved here.

You've shown a fantastic appetite for vet work.

You've shown flashes of individual brilliance.

And when you've needed to, you've all come together

and worked as a team.

And every step of the way,

you've always put the needs of the animals first.

So, very well done!

Now, the next time we get together here,

it's going to be your graduation ceremony, your final day

here at vet school and I'll see you all later. Off you go.

Yep! One of them will be named Head Vet by me later.

But before I make my final decision, they've all got one last

mission to complete.

They need to check on the progress of poorly patients who they've

helped at vet school.

Hello, Guinness, hello!

We're ready for you now,

so, if you'd like to come through to the consulting room.

At the small animal hospital, junior vet, Jamie is facing his last

ever vet school mission.

-Been eating and drinking OK?

-Er, yes, yeah.

Guinness and his owner, Alastair, have been called back to vet

school for test results that could change their lives for ever.

I'll just have a check of his heart.

It's quite fast at the moment but I think that might be

because he's nervous.

Guinness was really special to me because it was my first

time in the theatre and he was definitely my favourite.

When Jamie last worked with the poorly pooch, he was part of

the surgery team that had to remove a huge lump and his spleen.

It's all right, really.

I thought I would be sick, but I'm not.

It was a massive job and I was worried Jamie wouldn't cope

with the gory surgery but he was an absolute natural...

-It is quite heavy.

-..and stayed focused throughout.

Before I came to vet school, I didn't believe that I could

handle, like, masses of blood, but I surprised myself in that operation.

There's the dog we know and love!

The surgery seemed to be successful but the lump had to be sent

off to the lab for tests.

When we left, me and Bonte didn't know

whether he was going to be OK or not or whether he had cancer.

Now the results are back and it's Jamie's job to deliver the

news to nervous owner, Alastair.

Erm, we've got the results back.

It's really good news. It's a benign tumour which means it won't spread

or anything and he's going to be fine.

That's really good news, thank you.

-So, hopefully, he doesn't need any more operations or anything.

-No.

-No.

I was quite nervous about giving the results of the test

but I was also excited cos it was really good news

and that's obviously what Alastair wanted to hear.

It's amazing, cos it sort of feels like I've rescued a dog's life.

I always knew I had a gut feeling it would be fine.

So, he's a fighter! Good boy!

Nyatepe's at the large animal hospital to make a final

-check on his old mate, Jack.

-Hi.

Aw, it's so nice seeing him and I'm quite happy that he remembered me.

I made a real connection with Jack and he's like by far my favourite

animal that I've had to treat.

When Nyatepe first worked with Jack, he had to help put a camera

up his nose and into his tummy to check for stomach ulcers.

Nyatepe's gentle touch really helped settle jittery Jack.

It's OK. Good boy!

Today, Nyatepe needs to give Jack medication that will hopefully

help get rid of his stomach ulcers for good.

When you look in his face, you can

kind of tell that he has quite a soft character.

He just seems to be really happy around Nyatepe,

which I think is just lovely.

It's been really nice coming back to see Jack and he's got a lot better.

When I help him, it makes me feel like... like I'm giving him...

giving him more life.

And owner, Caroline, has some top news for Nyatepe.

Jack is feeling so much better that he's now back

competing at horse trials.

I've been riding him a bit, so we're building up working

towards out next event.

It's really great news that he's going eventing

-and I wish you good luck!

-Thank you very much.

Aw! He's eating my hand.

He's so funny!

It hasn't all been work, work, work, here at vet school, oh, no.

My junior vets have also had to complete an intensive

training course,

a course that was cunningly designed to help them develop skills

all top vets need to succeed.

And they passed every test in style... mostly!

So stand by for some exclusive, up until now, unseen footage of

my junior vets in training.

-Start your incision.

-Grab the other end.

If the dog goes the same colour as the bandage,

you know that it's on too tight!

Every vet has to learn how to handle all kinds of weird creatures.

So my junior vets have had to complete a crash course in

critters with vet school's Kevin.

Now these training sessions help decide who deserves to be

named Head Vet. So, I was there to keep a beady eye on them all,

from a safe distance.

-First, a tree frog!

-These might try and run away.

-Ah!

-Yeah! You're right, it's off!

No, I can't do it again. He keeps getting out!

-So cute.

-No probs with the frog!

But how does a Royal Python grab you?

Oh, I see! Like that!

He's really beautiful!

Vets need to have a confident, firm grip when handling any animal.

-Aw!

-Ah! I've done it!

You OK? You OK?

-Mm!

-Are you sure?

-Should be.

He thinks you're a branch, so he just wants to go up your arm...

I'm not a branch. I'm a human.

Be brave, Josh.

-Well done!

-Well done, you two, that's fantastic!

Now the really creepy one.

The Chilean Rose Tarantula isn't deadly but you won't see me go

anywhere near it.

Yes! It's a spider!

Wait, they can't bite, they can't, like, poison us or anything?

No, Robyn, but if they feel threatened, these tarantulas

can fire hairs at you that are itchy and painful so, don't scare it.

I can't believe I'm holding a spider!

Argh! Oh, Nyatepe, how can you do that?

Jamie's not so sure. Neither am I!

I really don't want to do it. What's it like?

It's quite light, it's not that ticklish.

Oh, wow!

-Let go of it now.

-Argh!

Come on, you can do it.

-Argh!

-Don't worry.

Argh! As if I'm holding a tarantula.

That was a useful training zone session that will definitely

help me make a final decision on who's named Head Vet.

And that decision is coming up very soon after my junior vets

make their vet school promise.

ALL: I do solemnly swear to protect wild animals and pets.

My junior vets are paying a final visit to their favourite patients.

Robyn's returned to Gorgie City Farm to check on Poppy, the goat,

and her two kids, Billybob and Alexis with farm vet, Andy.

-If we can just walk up and round her, Robyn.

-OK.

Maybe she'll come to you. Come on, goat!

Out of all the animals I worked with, I made, like,

the biggest bonds with them and then I just... They were too cute!

Last time Robyn was taught how to trim and treat goat hooves.

Well, we have got a bit of work to do here, haven't we?

She showed she was eager to learn and proved what a fantastic

team player she is.

-Are you OK?

-Yeah!

Today, Robyn needs to examine Poppy's hooves to make sure

the treatment worked and there's no sign of infection.

She really has her hands full today because Andy is handing over

full vet responsibilities.

That one's grown quite a lot.

Oh, it has, hasn't it?

This time when I went back, I felt more confident

and Andy sort of let me get more hands on with it myself.

I trust you, Robyn.

Robyn's in complete control now,

impressing Andy and trimming hooves like a pro.

Andy, I think we should spray this one.

Go for it, Robyn.

It's made me feel like I've done really well as a junior vet,

that the actual vets are trusting me to do jobs on my own.

It really makes me feel like I can do it.

I can get them and stuff. He's all right to go now.

Thank you, Robyn. I'll let him go.

I feel so privileged that I've been given a chance to do all this.

Can I have the bucket, please?

I definitely want to be a vet now. Thinking that I'm going to be

able to be helping them every day and getting to see different

animals all the time. That'd be quite special!

-Have you ever worked with a lion?

-No, I haven't, Robyn.

-Oh, I have.

-Well, you're one ahead of me then.

Bonte's on an all-important house call to a very special

vet school patient.

I think she's out here. Here she is.

Hi, Marley.

She's come to check how little Marley and owner, Hannah, are

coping after receiving difficult news about the puppy's health.

-Is it OK to get her out?

-Of course, yes.

Aw, hello!

I was quite nervous going back to see Marley

because she was quite poorly at the end...

at the end of the time we last saw her,

and I didn't know what the medication was going to do.

Nervy Marley had come to vet school with a very poorly liver.

Marley was quite scared when we were treating her.

She was really scared of the needle.

Good girl!

I tried my best to make her feel, like, at home

and, like, comfortable.

It's OK!

A scan showed surgery wouldn't be able to help poor Marley.

Unfortunately for Marley,

she is going to need to have medication throughout her life.

Working with Marley kind of showed me

that being a vet would be quite tough with the sad cases

and not all of them would end with a happy result.

Marley's home now and doing well on her medicine.

-So, she's been taking all her meds OK?

-Yeah.

What we do is, we mix it in with her food and she's wolfing that down.

-She loves it.

-Aw, that's good!

She was quite tired and stuff in the end.

-Yeah, she's like a wee puppy again.

-Yeah.

I'm really proud. I feel like we've played quite a big part in it.

I've learnt so much and it's definitely inspired me

to want to be a vet and I'm going to try to be one

and even if I don't, I would have this amazing experience.

Training at vet school wasn't just about hands on care and surgery.

Oh, no!

My junior vets also had to learn how to get inside the minds of

their patients and their owners.

Here's another behind the scenes exclusive when vet, Adam,

from Inglis Vets helps train them to be vet detectives.

The best part is to start at the head end.

Then, it was over to them.

Three separate sessions, two junior vets per team.

Come on, we can do it!

A room rigged with cameras and one giddy patient to examine.

It's a bit of a live wire, this dog, isn't it?

So then, who's this? This is Jill.

First introductions!

-I'm Josh. I'm Molly.

-And I'm Josh.

Not a good start, Molly.

We're looking for confident communication, good handling skills

and a keen eye to spot any illnesses or injuries.

He's very good at picking animals up.

He's straight in there.

-He is straight in there.

-Very good with his hands.

-Is she eating and drinking normally?

-Yes, she is.

-She is quite skinny.

-Has she always been quite skinny

-or is that lately?

-She has always been skinny.

She'll be fine but if she stops eating or drinking,

then she'll probably need to be checked out.

Brilliant! Top marks for Robyn for asking all the right questions.

Ooh!

-Every time he does something, he reassures her first.

-Yes.

It's probably a lesson some of us vets could learn from, really.

He's doing... he's doing great!

Yeah. They all seem healthy.

Her teeth look quite good.

I love the way he's got his hands on Jill the whole time,

reassuring her, making her feel at ease.

No, it seems OK. I don't really smell dogs' ears often!

Wow! This lot are working like fully trained vets now.

I think she's all right to go. Thank you!

Nyatepe, Robyn and Jamie really impressed Adam.

But you know what? I'm proud of the lot of them!

-Thank you. See you later.

-Bye!

On the outskirts of Edinburgh, Josh needs to check on a previous

special patient who's now in recovery at home.

-Patches is just out here.

-OK.

Oh, look, he's recognised you, he's come out to see you.

Hiya, Patches.

Patches was definitely my favourite patient of the whole,

entire Junior Vets.

When Patches needed urgent surgery to remove an infected lump

-from his ear canal...

-Oh, he knows where he's going, doesn't he?

..things didn't go completely to plan.

I'll have another swab, please

and we've got some haemorrhage. Another one, please.

Keep going with them, keep feeding them to me till I say, "Stop."

Patches lost quite a lot of blood and one minute we thought

he wouldn't survive it.

Keep going.

But Josh kept his cool under pressure and made sure vet, Kevin,

had everything he needed to keep patches alive.

OK.

Patches really connected to my heart and he just wanted me to help him

and help him get through all that pain, so it all goes away.

One week on, Josh needs to make sure Patches is now out of danger

and in full recovery.

I'm just going to have a look at him where we operated from. Wow!

He's a lot better. The operation went well.

Has he been eating well?

Yeah, he's getting back to normal, I guess.

Now I've seen him here, he looks, actually, well active.

You're really good with him. He's enjoying that!

All the different types of animals that I've met, they're just amazing

and I've just really enjoyed the experience that I've had

and I'm definitely going to be a vet when I'm older.

At the donkey sanctuary, Molly's checking Rebecca and her

foal, Poppy, are now clear of horrible worms.

Aw! Poppy's grown so much!

I really enjoyed working with the donkeys

because I learned a lot that day about worming them and the donkeys

were really cute and then they were running round us and everything.

When Molly first worked here, Poppy was only six days old.

Sadly, Molly discovered evidence of worms in her mum, Rebecca's, poo.

Yeah, I can actually see something.

Rebecca has now been treated with medicine.

Now Molly needs to give her an examination to check she is

returning to full health.

How have they responded to the worm treatment?

Rebecca's responded very well to the worming.

She's improved in condition and, generally,

she's looking a lot better.

-She feels silkier.

-Yeah. Nice, smooth coat.

-Yeah.

One of the great things about vet work is that we went and helped

her and then we got to see the end result and it makes it all worth it.

How's Poppy been?

Poppy's doing very well.

-She's getting lots of milk from her mum.

-Yeah.

She's running around and playing and she's got plenty energy,

so, all in all, Poppy's doing very well!

To know that Rebecca doesn't have worms any more, it makes me feel

really proud to know that we've helped her and that she's better.

-Here's some pictures of Rebecca and Poppy.

-Thank you!

-Just to say thank you for all your help.

-Aw, thank you!

-You're welcome!

To come back and see how much Rebecca and Poppy have developed,

it's just really good!

My junior vets' time at vet school is almost done and dusted.

They haven't got a clue who I'm about to name Head Vet...

..or that we've sneaked in their families and some of their

vet school mentors for their graduation ceremony.

I've now got to make my final decision on who deserves the

Head Vet title and it's a toughie!

Josh has loads of cute pets at home, though that was never going

to fully prepare him for vet school but nothing seemed to faze him.

-He dealt with newborns...

-Ooh, hello, hello!

I'm taking this one home.

-..even live births. No bother!

-He's such a cutie!

But it was in surgery where Josh really blew us all away,

keeping a cool head when the pressure was intense.

I've just, like, made loads of friends. I won't forget them.

They're brilliant and we've, like, worked well as a team.

I just want to do it again, really.

Molly arrived with not that much animal experience and faced

some challenging early jobs.

Sorry!

-She didn't half get stuck in...

-Here we go!

-..whoever the patient...

-Oh, I loved that!

-..whatever the patient...

-Whoa!

..wherever the patient.

It's been one of the best experiences of my life!

Probably the best!

Jamie had a load of fears and phobias to overcome when he

arrived at vet school.

-Argh!

-He might have made a slow start...

-Aw!

-..but boy did he soon get into his stride.

-He's fine.

-You quite happy?

-Yeah.

He had a great bedside manner with his patients,

always determined to help his animals

and that caught the eye of the experts time and time again.

To be named Head Vet would be amazing because I've loved

every single second of this.

Robyn came here with her sights firmly set on becoming a vet

when she's older.

That sounds nice and strong.

She soon started to shine.

-Confident...

-And another one.

..hands on, always ready to learn...

I can see a future vet there, actually!

..and also a brilliant team player!

You just can't ignore effort and talent like this.

I've loved every single thing about it.

There's not been a bad day while I've been here.

Sensational vet work from start to finish!

To be crowned Head Vet would be like a bonus to this whole

experience and if I don't win, then I don't mind, cos I've still had

one of the best experiences of my life. But it would be nice!

Did Nyatepe handle intense vet work?

He handled everything!

All that heavy lifting, it were incredible!

Confident, fearless vet work from day one.

He developed a special bond with his patients and loved helping

every one of them.

Wow! That's so beautiful!

His efforts regularly impressed both me and the experts.

A once in a lifetime experience, definitely!

Lions and cows and horses and dogs and pigs and...

Just loads a stuff, it's just been amazing!

Bonte worked hard to make sure her patients

-got the very best of care...

-Such a good boy!

..and looked out for her work buddies too!

-Are you all right, Molly?

-Yes, thanks.

Bonte regularly showed she'd got top skills and never ever

shirked vet work, however big the job in hand.

Ah, it would be amazing if I was Head Vet but I think everyone

deserves it and I don't know how Alex is managing

to pick, because everyone's done so well, but it would be...

it would be such an honour!

Here we go! Graduation day at vet school.

My junior vets and their families are about to find out how

they did and who has won the Head Vet title.

Junior vets. Your hard work and training is now over.

And what a journey you've been on!

Josh, Nyatepe, Bonte, Robyn, Molly and Jamie, I am delighted to

tell you that you've all made it through vet school.

My junior vets have all shown me they have individual skills,

but they've also proven they are a tight unit and a top team.

I want them to show me they'll continue to care for animals

long after they've left vet school.

I'd now like you to make the Junior Vet Promise.

So, I want you to raise your right hand and repeat after me.

-I do solemnly swear...

-ALL:

-I do solemnly swear.

-..to do whatever I can...

-ALL:

-To do whatever I can...

..to protect wild animals and pets...

-ALL:

-..to protect wild animals and pets...

-..and, if injured or ill...

-ALL:

-And, if injured or ill...

-..I will do my best...

-ALL:

-..I will do my best...

-..to help them feel better.

-ALL:

-..to help them feel better.

Well done, everyone!

But there can be only one winner

and I've got to tell you, that it was incredibly close.

And the person that we've chosen has shown that they've got

a head and a stomach for extreme vet work.

They've shown boundless enthusiasm and endless curiosity.

They've been focused, attentive, quick to volunteer

and have shown that they can be a very supportive team player.

Junior vets, you arrived at vet school as a team

and you'll leave vet school as a team,

but this year's Head Vet is...

Robyn.

Robyn, if you'd like to put on the special Head Vet smock.

-Whoo!

-All right. Yeah.

Time and time again, the experts said Robyn was a true vet in the

making, technically brilliant, always putting her patients

first as well as thinking about her fellow junior vets.

I thought I was dreaming at first, you know.

I can't believe it.

I'm going to miss this lot!

I'm really pleased that Robyn got it, cos she totally deserved it.

I think everyone deserved it, but Robyn's done so well.

-I'm actually proud, yeah.

-Everything has just been amazing.

She deserves it most out of everyone else.

All the experience has been amazing and I'm so proud for Robyn.

Now that lot are a group of very proud Vet School graduates,

but do you fancy becoming a junior vet, right now?

If you do, log on to the CBBC website

and play the junior vets game

and you'll be running your very own, very busy vet practice in no time.