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0:00:03 > 0:00:05- From elderly patients...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08- ..to those newly born.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- From the domestic...
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- ..to farm animals.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- She's about six weeks gone.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18- The usual clients.
0:00:19 > 0:00:20- Well done, puss!
0:00:21 > 0:00:22- And the unexpected.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27- These are the creatures Wern - Veterinary Surgeons have to treat.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30- The nurses call him Grumpy.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35- Who knows what they will face - when they go to work in the morning.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- He injured his leg yesterday - jumping out of the pick-up.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- They turn their hand to the old - techniques as well as the new.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- The work of a vet is never dull.
0:00:48 > 0:00:54- If I leave him, the intestines will - go through the hole and strangulate.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- We'll operate on him - and repair the hole.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- Good morning, Wern Vets.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- Wern Veterinary Surgeons - have six sites.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- They treat all kinds of animals - across North East Wales.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- In this series, we'll experience - the ups and downs of the Wern vets.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- And we'll have a close look - at the life of a vet.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- Another happy customer.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- Dyddgu, one of the practice's - youngest vets...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- ..is on familiar ground today.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Her first call is in Bala, - her home town.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- She is performing a scan on a pony - to see if she is in season.
0:01:43 > 0:01:49- This pony is about fifteen - or sixteen years old.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54- I'd like to see her - in foal this year.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- The first step today will be to see - what her cervix is like...
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- ..to see if it's softened - or opened at all...
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- ..looking for any signs - that she might be in season...
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- ..as she's not showing - any outward signs.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- Then after that - I will insert a probe.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- Dyddgu is here to take - a look at the pony's ovaries...
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- ..as her owner is keen to breed her - again before she gets too old.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- This pony is very special - to the family.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- They would very much like - to get one more foal out of her.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- But the vet has to find out - when the pony is in season...
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- ..in order to choose the best - time to mate her with the stallion.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- There have been no outward signs?
0:02:41 > 0:02:42- There have been no outward signs?- - No, none at all.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- I thought there were yesterday, - but no, there is nothing obvious.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- When a pony is about - to come into season...
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- ..the owner recognises the signs.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- Because she becomes irritable - and sensitive to touch...
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- ..and more likely to bite and kick, - so you have to be careful.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02- Can you feel anything?
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- The cervix feels very much - as it did yesterday.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- It hasn't opened up at all.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- The cervix softens - and starts to open...
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- ..when the pony is ready - to receive a stallion.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- No, it's not how you'd expect it - to be if she was ready to mate.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- To help with the examination, Dyddgu - wears special scanning glasses...
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- ..so that she does not have to - constantly look at the big screen.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- Anything showing?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- Not much more than last time.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- After a detailed examination, - Dyddgu comes to the conclusion...
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- ..that the pony is not yet - ready to ovulate.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- So they must be patient.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Something may develop.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- I think we should scan her again - in 48 hours.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- I'll check her cervix again - and we'll see where she is then.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- We don't want to interfere - with her too much.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- I think that will be best.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Okay, I'll put her back in then.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18- She had a stallion last year.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25- So this year, we're just seeing if - she's ready for a stallion again.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- We wanted to see - if she was in season.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- This foal was born on Tuesday - night, so she is three days old.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- She's a filly.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- You were hoping to get a foal - from the other one too?
0:04:40 > 0:04:41- Yes. Exactly.
0:04:41 > 0:04:47- The vet will return in 48 hours - and scan her again.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- We hope then - that she will be ovulating...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- ..and we can put her - with the stallion.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- At the practice in Bala, - Alex has an unexpected patient.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Today, a dove has come in.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- It's a young one.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08- It had been scalped by another bird - when it was very young.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- At first, it was healing alright...
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- ..but in recent weeks, - its head has swollen.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- It's here today - to be anaesthetised...
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- ..so that we can lance the abscess - and assess the situation.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- The important thing to remember - when handling birds...
0:05:30 > 0:05:36- ..is to hold their wings so that - they don't hurt themselves.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- As you can see, he's quite alert.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45- You can see that the top of his head - is swollen to the size of a marble.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- That's what we're concerned about.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- We'll make an incision - into the back of his head...
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- ..so we can see what's going on.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- To be honest, I've never operated - on a bird before.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- It's the first time I've - done something like this.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- I've read the textbook, so I hope - everything works out well.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- The first step is - to put the bird to sleep.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- What we're doing now is - administering the anaesthetic.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- He's getting a big dose of - isoflurane to make him sleep.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- Then we'll put a tube down his - throat to maintain the anaesthesia.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- Over at the Llanrwst surgery, - the girls are busy in the office...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- ..while John looks at - what's in store for him today.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- The Wern is a mixed practice.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- They treat a wide variety of - animals, from pets to farm animals.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Is it a quiet day up to now?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Is it a quiet day up to now?- - No. There is plenty to do.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Half the team will be out - and the other half will stay here.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- There will be dogs and cats - and TB testing and ailing cattle.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- There are three or four operations - taking place here.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- I enjoy the fact - that every day is different.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- You don't know when you get up - in the morning what you're in for.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Having a job where every day - is the same wouldn't suit me.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- She's definitely female.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36- That's it. Good girl!
0:07:37 > 0:07:43- It's a good mix of going out to the - farms and talking to the farmers...
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- ..and staying here, which is quite - nice when it's cold and wet.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- I wouldn't say that I would prefer - one or the other...
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- ..it's nice to be able - to do one in the morning...
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- ..and the other in the afternoon.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- Back in Bala, - the dove is still not asleep...
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- ..despite the vets' efforts.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- The next step is - to put a tracheal tube down.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- That will be the first challenge.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18- If we can't do that, we'll have to - put something over his beak...
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- ..because obviously - we can't keep this on...
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- ..because we have to - operate on his head.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Because the mask isn't working...
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- ..Erica is going to put a special - tube down the dove's throat...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- ..that will pump anaesthetic - into his lungs.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03- It's such a small hole.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- The tube hasn't worked either.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- So they try the mask again, - using a smaller one.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18- With a dog or cat, because they have - an oesophagus and a trachea...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..it's obvious that - you're in the right place.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- We can't see very much here.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- No, he's very small.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36- Back in Llanrwst, this is Pawen, - John's second patient of the day.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39- Come here then.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- There we go. She's purring!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Yes, she's purring.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- A week ago, Pawen's owner brought - her in for neutering.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- She was spayed about ten days ago.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- It was on the 4th.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Could you hold her head, please?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- It's just a small stitch.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Her fur's growing back.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15- Her fur's growing back.- - Yes.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- It's about time. It's getting cold.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- I'm sure they've started pulling.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- They must be itchy.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- That's it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35- That's healed nicely.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- The fur will grow back soon.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- No kittens for you, Pawen.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Back in your box, good girl!
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Mind your tail!
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- You can go home now and keep warm.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- She'll be happy now.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00- Thank you very much.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02- Goodbye now.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- In Bala, the dove is asleep - at last.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- I can see now - that there's a hard lump in there.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- It looks like a lump of pus.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- I need to make the hole big enough - to squeeze it out.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39- That's what come out.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- It's hard pus, but it was fluid to - begin with and it's solidified.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- As I've made such a big hole...
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- ..I'll need to close it up - ..with one or two stitches.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52- To make the hole smaller.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- How's the anaesthetic going?
0:11:58 > 0:11:59- How's the anaesthetic going?- - It's okay.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Good. Just oxygen now.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- What we've done is to put two - stitches at the top of the incision.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- To close up the hole, - but leaving a gap at the bottom...
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- ..so that if there's more bacteria - there...
0:12:26 > 0:12:27- ..it will drain away.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- This procedure is fairly - straightforward.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- The anaesthetic was the tricky bit.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Erica's done a good job.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Well, it was difficult.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Oh! Hello!
0:12:47 > 0:12:48- He's a bit groggy.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- We'll give him some pain relief.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- We won't give him antibiotics - because it was an abscess.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Cutting it out was enough.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- There's no risk - of it becoming systemic.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- I'm sure he'll have - a bit of a headache.
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0:13:15 > 0:13:19- John has had to leave the surgery - in Llanrwst to go to Abergele...
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- ..to see a calf with an injured leg.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- He's broken the bottom half - of his leg.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- This joint is crooked.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- I'll have to x-ray it - to see what he's done.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- I'll probably put fibreglass - on his leg, like a splint.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49- Because Wern runs six practices, - the vets have to be flexible.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- They move from one surgery - to another as required.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- Taking an x-ray of an animal - as large as a calf isn't easy.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Mike, another staff member...
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- ..has devised a way of using - a mobile x-ray machine...
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- ..which allows him to x-ray - the leg with little difficulty.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19- There we are.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- This is a picture of the calf's leg.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- He's broken this joint. - These are his hooves.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- There are three bones, - like three fingers.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- He's broken a bone - in his growth plate.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- It's from there the bone grows.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43- He's obviously stumbled and half - dislocated and half broken it.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- There's a small fragment - of bone there.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- In another part - of this busy building...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- ..Emma and Nel are operating - on a bitch called Titch...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- ..who is being neutered today.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Natasha monitors the dog - during the operation.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- This dog is called Titch. - She's ten years old.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- The owner came in yesterday...
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- ..and said that the dog was unwell - and not eating or drinking.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- She had a temperature - and some discharge...
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- ..because she had - a pyometra infection.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- So her womb is full of pus.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39- When Titch came to the surgery, her - owner didn't know what was wrong.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- After examining her carefully...
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- ..Emma realised that she would need - emergency surgery...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- ..to remove the womb - as soon as possible.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- If we don't remove the uterus, - it will be fatal.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58- The dog can't survive with an - infection like that in her uterus.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- There are some nasty toxins - in there.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08- Antibiotics can't treat - an infection like this...
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- ..because the uterus is so big.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- After removing the womb and ovaries, - Emma begins the stitching process.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- The operation went well. - I'm very happy.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- Sometimes it's difficult - because of the fat in the abdomen.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- There is some blood, - but the operation went well.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- It's very important - to give the dog...
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- ..intravenous fluids and - antibiotics.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47- I hope that she'll be well - after this operation.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- The owner is very worried about her.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- I have to telephone him...
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- ..to tell him - that the operation went well.
0:17:01 > 0:17:07- She has a nice owner. She gets - lots of tender loving care at home.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Lift his back end.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- After x-raying the calf's leg, John - has given him a jab to sedate him.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- So that he can put something on the - leg to keep the bone in place.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- We need a nurse to help now.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- Let it straighten. That's it.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- It's straight again now.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- We'll put a splint on his leg now to - keep it straight for 3 or 4 weeks.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- The advantage of a splint is that we - can remove it after a short time...
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- ..examine the joint - to make sure it's healing...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- ..and then replace the splint.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- He'll sleep for about an hour now.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- When he wakes up, he'll feel a bit - strange with this on his leg.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- At the same time, the farmer will - have to keep him in a pen...
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- ..with his mother so that - he doesn't run around the field.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- The leg has to be kept dry too.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- So the bone has temporarily - knitted?
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- No, the bone hasn't knitted. - It's been put back in place.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- How often do you see a calf - with a broken bone like this?
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- Quite often. Sometimes their bones - get broken during birth.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- They pull them out - a bit too firmly sometimes.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26- That's quite common.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- But more often than not...
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- ..they've been accidentally - trampled on by the cow.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Sometimes they catch their foot - in a gate.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38- We see about one a month.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43- Considering how many of them are out - there, it's not that many.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- We'll put some Gorilla tape over it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- We'll remove the splint - in ten days...
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- ..make sure that the bone is mending - and that there are no sores
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Then we'll replace the splint - for ten days to a fortnight.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Because he's so young, - the bones knit quite quickly.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- In Llanuwchllyn...
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- ..the dove is back home - with his owner, Elfyn Llwyd.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34- The former MP.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- Young cockerels - seem to have an urge...
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- ..to go after chicks - and peck at their heads.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- That's what happened to this bird.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- Then this large growth - appeared on his head.
0:20:50 > 0:20:56- It was very unsightly and I wasn't - sure what to do about it.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- What I noticed was - that the bird was a fighter.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02- He was still eating well.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- The vet told me straight...
0:21:06 > 0:21:12- ..that the bird only had a 30% - chance of surviving the operation.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- I just told him to do his best. - You can't ask for more than that.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- I was delighted when I heard that - the operation had been a success.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Some people wondered - why I didn't have him put to sleep.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- But you don't do that to a bird - who wants to live.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- That's what vets are for.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36- I can only praise the skills of the - vet. I am very grateful to him.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Can one of you three - think of a name?
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- The granddaughters are delighted - that the dove is home safely.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- This little bird was very ill.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- He had a lump on his head.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- The vet in Bala made him better.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Can any of you think of a name?
0:22:03 > 0:22:04- Meringues.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05- Meringues?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- What do you think, Anni?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- The same as Lisa because it's funny.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16- Meringues.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19- Meringues wound has healed.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- His feathers have grown back.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Seeing how spruce the dove is...
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- ..you wouldn't believe he'd had - surgery just a week ago.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- Titch looks very cosy as she regains - consciousness after her operation.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- The calf can put weight on his hind - legs with the help of the splint.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44- Next week...
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- ..a barn full of Labradors is born.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- I had a word with the vet at - the Wern, then took her down...
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- ..and she had to have a Caesarean.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- We have a litter of ten puppies.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- A pregnant sow has difficulty - standing up.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- She has arthritis in her elbows.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- She has trouble walking.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- It's time to say goodbye to Nel - for the time being.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14- It's nice to have a party...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- ..and get everyone together - outside work.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:37 > 0:23:37- .