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0:00:03 > 0:00:05- Hello. Wern Vets.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10- Animals of all shapes, - sizes and temperament...
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- ..visit the Wern Veterinary Surgery.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- A vet's first instinct - is to heal an animal.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- They're cared for like royalty.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23- We follow the animals' stories...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- ..and the busy vets - who care for them.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30- It doesn't look too nice, - but it works.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32- We have to be sensitive.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- Look, special drops - to make you feel better.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Open your mouth. Good girl. - Lovely, well done.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- This is a close-up look - at a vet's life.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- It's Monday morning. - Manon is preparing to go to work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- After work experience at Wern - as part of her college course...
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- ..she has accepted - a full-time job at the practice.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13- How did you feel when you went out - on your first job as a vet?
0:01:13 > 0:01:14- Oh, my gosh!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18- Just driving - the truck was horrendous!
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- I was very nervous.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- It was a bit in at the deep end.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- But I think you have to do that.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- I knew the first year - would be very difficult.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- Everything we've learnt - up to now is theory.
0:01:39 > 0:01:40- But I got the job.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- I've worked hard - to get to where I am.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- Why did a Cardiff girl - want to be a vet in rural Wales?
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- I always liked nature, - and science in school.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02- They're combined - in my work as a country vet.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- It's what I always wanted to be.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- What is it like - to work in the Vale of Clwyd?
0:02:09 > 0:02:11- I enjoy the countryside.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16- I enjoy driving around in the truck, - seeing the countryside...
0:02:16 > 0:02:21- ..especially in autumn, - with the leaves changing colour.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- What is it like to work at Wern?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- It's busy, exciting - and very friendly too.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- Wern is a mixed practice.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- Does that mean - you do a bit of everything?
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- Yes.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39- I see pets...
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- ..usually in the mornings - and evenings.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47- In the day, - who knows where we'll be sent!
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- It could be lambing, calving...
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- ..seeing a sick animal, - a horse, anything!
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- At the Bala surgery, Eleri has - a rather boisterous customer.
0:03:10 > 0:03:11- BARKS
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- Bennie's owner has made - a rather unusual request...
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- ..to take a sample of his blood - to see if he needs a vaccination.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- If he has enough - antibodies to fight disease...
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- ..it's safe for the dog - not to have a vaccination.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- Her last dog had - a very unusual condition.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- The immune system attacked the body.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- Someone told her that vaccines - could cause the problem.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- But I think that dog's - condition was very rare.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- But if she wants his blood tested, - I don't mind doing it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56- There we go.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- But the dog isn't very cooperative.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- Ashleigh the nurse comes to help.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- Shall we go with the jugular - in case? We need three.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08- Right.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10- Sit.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- Sit.
0:04:17 > 0:04:18- CLIPPER BUZZES
0:04:18 > 0:04:19- CLIPPER BUZZES- - Let's do this.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21- I'll hold him.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22- Hey!
0:04:24 > 0:04:25- It's nothing scary!
0:04:26 > 0:04:27- Come on, little dog.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- We're going to get fluff everywhere.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Hey, don't be silly! Good boy.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42- Sit.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- He's just a wriggler.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46- Good boy.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Tell me if I'm holding - him too tight.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- We'll just get him still for - a split second. We'll be fine then!
0:04:59 > 0:05:01- Good boy.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05- Don't.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06- DOG WHIMPERS
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Do you want to try holding him? - You might be better than me!
0:05:17 > 0:05:18- He's an absolute...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- I knew he'd be like this!
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- But nothing works.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- Eleri and Ashleigh swap places.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- DOG WHIMPERS
0:05:26 > 0:05:27- I know.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- Good boy. You're so brave!
0:05:34 > 0:05:35- Impossible.
0:05:35 > 0:05:36- He's strong, isn't he?
0:05:36 > 0:05:37- He's strong, isn't he?- - Yes.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- They have no luck with the neck - and try the leg instead.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- CLIPPER BUZZES
0:05:44 > 0:05:45- I'll try!
0:05:50 > 0:05:51- Come on!
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- I knew he'd be a jumpy nutter.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- Good boy. You're being stupid!
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Look how good you are!
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Eleri needs three tubes of blood.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- But because of Bennie's excitable - temperament, she only gets two.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08- Is that enough?
0:06:08 > 0:06:09- Is that enough?- - I hope so.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- I'd prefer to have it from the neck. - There's a better vein there.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- But it's impossible. - He just moves like a lunatic.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19- Are dogs usually like that?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- Are dogs usually like that?- - I'm sweating! No, he's a lunatic.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- You're so quiet now!
0:06:24 > 0:06:25- Give me a cow any day!
0:06:26 > 0:06:27- I know.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Young Labradors can be silly.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33- But...
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- ..it would have been - much easier to just vaccinate him!
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Oh!
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- Manon is the newest of the 30 vets - working at the Wern practice.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- Today, she is in charge of the - small animals' surgery in Ruthin.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- As it happens, many - of the morning's clients are dogs.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07- Thanks.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08- Thanks.- - Ta-ra.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- The office arranges - the vets' daily timetable.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- But things can change - from hour to hour.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- I'm checking if there's anything - in my column of the diary...
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- ..and what is in the "to do" list.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- There's a horse to be seen...
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- ..a couple of afternoon - appointments with pets...
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- ..and cattle fertility tests.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- And the Denbigh surgery.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43- So far.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Unless the phone rings!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- In another part of the building...
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- ..Nell and the nurse prepare - for surgery on a small cat.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- This little cat is called Beatrice.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58- This little cat is called Beatrice.- - Beatrice.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- The owner said she's feral.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- She doesn't seem too bad, really.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- I don't think - she'll like having an injection.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- We use this to inject them, - so she doesn't bite us, basically.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- She's being spayed today.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- By feral, do you mean a stray cat?
0:08:18 > 0:08:19- By feral, do you mean a stray cat?- - Yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- They found her outside their house.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- The cat has to be - sedated before surgery.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Nell uses a special cat cage...
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- ..to give the injection safely.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- CAT HOWLS
0:08:44 > 0:08:45- CAT MEOWS
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Why do you spay a feral cat?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- To stop her breeding - and having more babies...
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- ..and stop the population growing.
0:09:09 > 0:09:10- Is that a problem?
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- Yes.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- Every time they're pregnant, - they could have eight kittens.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- They could have them - every two or three months.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- They're really prolific.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- She has had kittens.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- To keep her safely anaesthetized...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- ..the cat has a breathing - tube down her throat.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- They have to ensure - the cat can take the tube.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05- What is that?
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- It's a local anaesthetic - to numb the mouth...
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- ..so I can put the tube down.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Their larynx opens and closes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- CLIPPER BUZZES
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- The cat is prepared for surgery.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It's more complicated - for a female cat.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- Nell has to make an incision - in the abdomen to reach the ovaries.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- But the little cat - won't feel a thing.
0:10:55 > 0:10:55- .
0:11:03 > 0:11:03- Subtitles
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- In Bala, Eleri prepares - for the afternoon shift.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- She has house and farm calls.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- She'll be checking on a horse - in a local stud.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- He hasn't been feeling well.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- He hasn't been feeling well.- - I need a blood sample.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- What's the problem?
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- The horse's condition - has deteriorated.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- He's refusing to eat.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- The last time I drew blood, - he was losing protein.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- It explains why he's thin.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- In a young horse, - the most obvious thing is tapeworm.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- He's had a tapeworm dose - for a week...
0:11:52 > 0:11:57- ..and antibiotics because - his white blood cell count was high.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- It could be intestinal cancer.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- I'm working on the assumption - it's tapeworm.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12- It's more common - than intestinal cancer.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- I hope it isn't anything - too sinister.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- I haven't seen a lot of that.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- In Ruthin, - a dog needs a vaccination.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- Does it go on the Heidi's account?
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- What's her name? - I say "her", but I don't know!
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Bella.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- She's been chipped.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44- Is she a cocker spaniel?
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- Is she a cocker spaniel?- - Yes.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Manon will scan her, - to get her microchip number up.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- We'll put it on the account.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Can you take a seat?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Bella Edwards, please.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Come in. Hello!
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- Hello.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- I'm Manon. What can I do for Bella?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- She needs a vaccination.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- Have you just had Bella?
0:13:26 > 0:13:27- Have you just had Bella?- - Yes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28- How old is she?
0:13:28 > 0:13:29- How old is she?- - Three months.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- She's lovely.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32- How is she settling?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- How is she settling?- - Quite well.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- Vets learn everything - about animal diseases in college.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- It's only through being hands on...
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- ..that they become skilled in - handling animals - and their owners.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- I'll listen to her heart.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Hi, gorgeous. What's this?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- It sounds fine.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- A strong heart. Her chest is fine.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- How often will she need - to be vaccinated?
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- She'll be vaccinated today....
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- ..and have a booster in a month.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- She'll need another vaccination - when she's a year old...
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- ..then every year after that.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- We vaccinate Bella...
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- ..against leptospirosis, - a bacterial disease...
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- ..distemper, hepatitis - and parvovirus.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Right.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- Come on, then.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- The vaccine goes under her skin.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- She might yelp a bit.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Good girl.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- Oh! That's it.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- It'll feel cold, and it might - be itchy for an hour or two.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Was that cold?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- BELLA YELPS
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- Eleri is on her way - to treat the sick horse.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- She hopes the horse cooperates.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- The owner isn't around to help.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- Hello, pony.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- Are you going to be a good boy - for me while Mam is away?
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Hello. Are you a good boy?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- He looks better - than he did last time.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- I'll see - if there's a lead rein here.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Hey, baby.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- You're a good boy.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Come here.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- Hello, pony. Do you remember me?
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- I'll put these down - so they don't frighten you.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29- Hello!
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- Hello. How are you?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- You're better, aren't you?
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- You're a good boy.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- You have a new neighbour.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Good boy.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- It pays to make friends - before I start handling them.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- He's much livelier than last time.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- I'll try to tie him up.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- Come here. Good boy.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- Brave boy.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- Can you stand there - and be a good boy for Eleri?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- He's a good boy.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- I just need to take a blood sample.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23- Bingo.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26- Good boy.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- He's a good boy.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- I'll take the rug off, - to see if he's gained weight.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- They'll be sent away to the lab.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- He's a big softie.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Are your ribs still showing?
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- I'll have a quick peek.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Let's get the rug off.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- The last time I was with him, - he wasn't moving at all.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- I thought he was going to die.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Oh, baby.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Don't kick. Good lad.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- Let's see.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- All his ribs were showing.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- He looks much better.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- His coat is shinier.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- I'd say he's on the mend.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- You're not going to die, - not on my watch.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- Hey, hey. Don't be silly.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- You're alright. Good boy.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- In Ruthin, Nell is ready - to start operating on the stray cat.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- I have to cut through - the skin and muscle layers...
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- ..to get to the abdomen.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- The pink stuff is a layer of muscle.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- This is an ovary.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- That's it there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- And this is her uterus.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57- I can tell she's had kittens - because it's bigger.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Are you leaving the womb?
0:20:03 > 0:20:04- Sorry?
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- Sorry?- - Do you leave the uterus?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- We'll take out the uterus, too.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- We take out everything - down to the cervix.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- In France, - they just remove the ovaries.
0:20:17 > 0:20:23- If you only remove the ovaries, - and leave the uterus...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- ..the cat can have an infection - in the uterus.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- That looks fine.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- That's the cervix, - and where we cut this off.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10- All done.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13- No more babies.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- No more babies.- - No! I'll just close it up.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- It seems more complicated - than for a male cat.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- Spaying is more complicated - than castration.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- I have to go into the abdomen.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- With a castration, - you just take them off.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38- How many of these have you done?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- How many of these have you done?- - Hundreds.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- I do about four a week, and - I've been doing it for seven years.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- Too many!
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- I stitch the muscle layers first.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Cats heal really well.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- Women can be bedridden - for six weeks after a hysterectomy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- She'll be running round tomorrow.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- And now to stitch up the skin.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- The cat will come round - within the hour.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- Big and small animals will - keep coming through the Wern doors.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- A vet will always be on hand...
0:22:52 > 0:22:57- ..whatever time of day or night, - even on Christmas Day.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- It's love of animals - that motivates the vets...
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- ..to ensure the animals - lead healthy and happy lives.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- That, simply, is a vet's life.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:29 > 0:23:29- .