0:00:02 > 0:00:05We Brits have a staggering 50 million pets.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08And from dental chews and flea collars
0:00:08 > 0:00:11to vaccinations and vet bills,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15we are now spending £40 billion a year on their health.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21But what do they really need to have a long and healthy life?
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Your pet can't tell you, but science can.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25I'm Steve Leonard, and in this series
0:00:25 > 0:00:28I'm joined by a team of vets.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31We're going to seek out the latest veterinary research
0:00:31 > 0:00:36to find out what's really good and bad for the nation's pets...
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- Campylobacter.- Mm-hm.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- One of those words that you do not want to hear.- Yeah.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43..and do some brand-new science of our own
0:00:43 > 0:00:46to tackle the biggest issues in animal health today.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49So, the experiment's been a great success.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52We'll talk to world-leading experts
0:00:52 > 0:00:54to give you the knowledge you need...
0:00:54 > 0:00:57How important is it to prevent overheating?
0:00:57 > 0:00:59..and cut through the myths and misconceptions
0:00:59 > 0:01:01to bring you the very best advice.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Each time, we'll be based at one of the UK's top vet schools
0:01:06 > 0:01:08to seek out the latest research
0:01:08 > 0:01:10from the front line of veterinary medicine.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12This week,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15we're at the Royal Veterinary College near London.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Welcome to Trust Me I'm A Vet.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25BARKING
0:01:29 > 0:01:31The Royal Veterinary College, or RVC,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34is the oldest vet school here in the UK,
0:01:34 > 0:01:35and right at the heart of it
0:01:35 > 0:01:37is the Queen Mother Hospital for animals -
0:01:37 > 0:01:40the largest pet hospital in Europe.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44In this programme, we'll uncover surprising new research
0:01:44 > 0:01:47on what food is really best for your pet's health,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and I'll join the RVC's world-leading surgeons
0:01:50 > 0:01:53as they perform a pioneering operation
0:01:53 > 0:01:56that could save thousands of cats across the country.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Our team of vets will also be out and about across the UK,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05seeking out the latest science,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08from the perfect home for your reptile,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11to the steps you can take to help an injured animal.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21But first...
0:02:22 > 0:02:24We all want to keep our pets healthy
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and feeding them a diet that is good for them
0:02:26 > 0:02:27is an important part of that.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36We Brits are now spending a colossal £3 billion a year on pet food.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40But with hundreds of varieties out there, how do we know what's best?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44To find out, Trust Me I'm A Vet
0:02:44 > 0:02:46is going to lift the lid on the latest research.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49We've uncovered a brand-new study
0:02:49 > 0:02:51investigating one group of ingredients
0:02:51 > 0:02:53that are often overlooked,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56but are crucial for your pet's health -
0:02:56 > 0:02:57minerals.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Minerals, like calcium,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07magnesium, phosphorus and others
0:03:07 > 0:03:08are essential to an animal's health.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12A key source of them in pet food
0:03:12 > 0:03:16is actually bone material from farm animals, poultry and fish.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Now, that doesn't sound that appetising,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20but it's an important part of the diet.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22It's a bit like giving your dog a bone.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26In the right quantities,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28these different minerals keep your pet's coat and skin
0:03:28 > 0:03:32in good condition and make their bones strong.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33But in the wrong amounts,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36research shows they can do the very opposite
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and, over the long term, cause health problems.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42The European pet food regulatory body
0:03:42 > 0:03:46sets 13 guidelines for the levels of different minerals needed
0:03:46 > 0:03:48to maintain good health.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52But how many pet foods really contain what they're supposed to?
0:03:53 > 0:03:57To find out, Dr Mike Davies and his team at Nottingham University
0:03:57 > 0:04:00have analysed nearly 200 different pet foods
0:04:00 > 0:04:03and tested them against 11 of the guidelines,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and I've come to see their results.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Nice to see you. - And you, yeah, yeah.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Surprisingly, they found significant differences
0:04:13 > 0:04:15between wet foods - the moist, meaty ones -
0:04:15 > 0:04:18and dry foods - the biscuit type.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20First, the findings for wet foods.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25So, this is the results from your wet food analysis.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27What's this telling us?
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Basically, only 7%
0:04:29 > 0:04:31met all of those 11 guidelines,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and that meant 93% did not.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35The worst offenders didn't comply
0:04:35 > 0:04:36with six out of 11
0:04:36 > 0:04:38of the guidelines, which is a lot.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42So what about dry food? When you've tested those, how are they looking?
0:04:42 > 0:04:4338% of them actually
0:04:43 > 0:04:45met all the guidelines,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47all 11 guidelines we looked at.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But there still are some
0:04:49 > 0:04:50which didn't comply very well.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56It's not just whether a mineral is present or not that's important -
0:04:56 > 0:04:59it's also the balance of one mineral to another.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03And Mike found that, in the samples his team tested,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05many pet foods were getting that balance wrong.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09Did this shock you?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11We were very surprised when we found so many
0:05:11 > 0:05:13were out of the normal reference ranges.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17And no idea from the label that they are out of kilter to this degree?
0:05:17 > 0:05:18The only way you'll know
0:05:18 > 0:05:20what minerals are in the food is if you analyse it.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25The results showed that neither price nor brand was a good guide.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29All the biggest manufacturers in the UK
0:05:29 > 0:05:33had at least one product that didn't meet all the health guidelines.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Generally, the wet foods were less likely to meet the guidelines
0:05:36 > 0:05:39than dry foods.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41So why does wet vary much more than dry, do you think?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I think it reflects the ingredients that are going in.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Obviously, with the wet foods,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48you've usually got animal or fish derivatives in there,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50and that will vary from batch to batch,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52depending what's available on the open market.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55So, in one batch, a manufacturer might buy in a lot of poultry
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- cos that's available at the time. - Yeah.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00And the next time they come to make that food,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03it might be predominantly pork that goes in.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05So you've highlighted there is a big problem here.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07What do you think should be done about it?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I think what could improve is that the manufacturers
0:06:10 > 0:06:13could analyse more batches more frequently
0:06:13 > 0:06:15to make sure they're within the guidelines,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and also, it begs the question about who's policing this marketplace.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21At the moment, it doesn't appear that anybody is actually checking
0:06:21 > 0:06:24that pet foods on the market are complying with the guidelines.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28We asked the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association
0:06:28 > 0:06:30if these results highlighted a shortcoming
0:06:30 > 0:06:32in the manufacturing process.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35They told us the methods their members use
0:06:35 > 0:06:38to test pet food meet European legislative standards,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42and that Nottingham University's do not.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45They also told us that manufacturers' own results
0:06:45 > 0:06:47show high levels of compliance
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and they are confident that pet food they produce is safe.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Nottingham have offered to retract their results
0:06:54 > 0:06:57if the PFMA's data proves them wrong,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59which the PFMA say casts doubt
0:06:59 > 0:07:02on the validity of Nottingham's research.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Nottingham stand by their methodology and results.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10These results suggest that some pet foods
0:07:10 > 0:07:13have such an imbalance in their mineral content
0:07:13 > 0:07:16that, if fed for a prolonged period of time,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20could result in some serious health implications for your pet.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21So what can you do about it?
0:07:22 > 0:07:26First, offer your pet a wide variety of different foods.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Vary the brands and the flavours,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33and include a range of wet and dry foods in the mix.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36This should help even out any major imbalances.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Secondly, look out for foods that list the minerals
0:07:40 > 0:07:43under the heading "analytical constituents".
0:07:43 > 0:07:46That means it's more likely they'll meet the health guidelines.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Introduce any new food gradually
0:07:50 > 0:07:54and don't cut out any one type without consulting your vet first.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59And finally, remember that spending more money on expensive diets
0:07:59 > 0:08:03does not necessarily mean that they are better balanced.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Now...
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Judy Puddifoot has worked on the tough front line
0:08:16 > 0:08:18of veterinary practice with a pet charity.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22She's going to investigate one of the simplest ways
0:08:22 > 0:08:25you can make a big difference to your pet's health.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It may sound surprising
0:08:28 > 0:08:30but one of the biggest problems in pet health care
0:08:30 > 0:08:32across this country is dental disease.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I've lost count of the number of times
0:08:34 > 0:08:36that I've diagnosed quite serious illnesses in animals
0:08:36 > 0:08:39that could be traced back to really poor oral hygiene.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45If plaque builds up on pets' teeth
0:08:45 > 0:08:50it becomes a home for the harmful bacteria which cause gum disease.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57Left untreated, the bacteria can spread to affect vital organs -
0:08:57 > 0:09:01the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03The good news is you can make a massive difference
0:09:03 > 0:09:05just by keeping your pet's teeth clean.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08But there are lots of ways to do this,
0:09:08 > 0:09:09so which is the best?
0:09:12 > 0:09:16To find out, I'm in Glasgow to run a big experiment
0:09:16 > 0:09:18that's never been tried before.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23We've recruited 22 dog owners to compare three different methods
0:09:23 > 0:09:25of cleaning your pet's teeth.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Helping us is world-leading veterinary dentist Norman Johnston.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33We've assigned our volunteers at random
0:09:33 > 0:09:35into one of our three groups.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39For our first group, it's dental chews.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43So, we're going to dish them out,
0:09:43 > 0:09:44see what your dogs think of these,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and what you think of them, as well.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- And who's this handsome chap? - This is Fang.- Fang.- Yes.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Seriously? - Fang from Harry Potter, honestly.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- You changed his name for this, right?- No.- No, you didn't - OK.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- Any questions? - How do the chews work, then?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00How do they get an effect on the teeth?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02It's a mixture of a number of things, really.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03It's the shape of the chew.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05The cross means that they have to put it
0:10:05 > 0:10:07in different parts of their mouth while they bite down.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10The texture of the chew is the other thing.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14As well as scraping away existing plaque,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18the chews also contain a chemical to help prevent more forming.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Oh, yes. You can have that. Thank you very much.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Our second group are going to be testing
0:10:25 > 0:10:27a type of dry dog food, or kibble,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30that's specially designed to be good for teeth
0:10:30 > 0:10:32and is marketed as a dental care diet.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37You have the massively hard task
0:10:37 > 0:10:38of feeding your dogs.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40LAUGHTER
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Kibble is just another word for a type of dry dog food, essentially.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Formulated with a special kind of fibre
0:10:46 > 0:10:48so that when the dog bites down on it,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50rather than just mushing it into its teeth,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53it kind of just shards off and scrapes down the side of the teeth
0:10:53 > 0:10:56so that it stops the plaque and tartar building up.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02The dogs in this group will be switching gradually
0:11:02 > 0:11:04from their regular food.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09In just a few days, dental kibble is all they'll be allowed to nibble.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Yes, she likes that.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- And who have we got here? - This is Nessie.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Nessie, as in...?- Loch Ness.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Loch Ness Monster. OK.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Here you go, Nessie... Wow. Blimey, all right!
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Nearly lost my fingers.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Crikey, Nessie!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Seems like this group will take to their task no problem.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31And finally, for our third group,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34it's something entirely different.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37You will be brushing your dog's teeth every day
0:11:37 > 0:11:39for the next six weeks.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41And we want you to brush once a day
0:11:41 > 0:11:44using just standard flathead human toothbrushes.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47We're going to be using a veterinary toothpaste.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's very important that you use something the dogs can swallow
0:11:50 > 0:11:51and, of course, they're flavoured
0:11:51 > 0:11:53with something that's not peppermint.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54So, in this case, it's poultry.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59All we need now is a willing volunteer for a live demonstration.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Step forward, Archie.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03We want them to get used to the fact
0:12:03 > 0:12:05that you're doing something with their mouth.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08The best way to do that is just to gently lift the lip
0:12:08 > 0:12:10with some of the toothpaste on your finger
0:12:10 > 0:12:15and run it gently along the surface of their teeth with your finger
0:12:15 > 0:12:17and that may be all you want to do for the first day or so.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22If we then put the brush and the paste together,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24you're using about a pea size,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27and you push the paste into the brush before you start
0:12:27 > 0:12:30so it doesn't all come off in the first couple of teeth.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And then it's easiest just to slide it along,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36using the big canine tooth to start with,
0:12:36 > 0:12:41working our way up the jaws this way and round the back.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43And just rotate gently.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46That makes it work so much better.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And then the other side with another pea size of paste.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Time to see if our volunteers can get their canines' canines
0:12:54 > 0:12:55plaque-free and sparkling.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59So, we're going to ease him into it gently.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01He's backing away from me now.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03He's seen the toothbrush in your hand and he's running.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Oh, no!
0:13:05 > 0:13:06I think he'll be all right.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Some of our dogs already seem to have a taste for the paste.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Cos it's chicken-flavoured
0:13:12 > 0:13:14she's more interested in trying to eat it,
0:13:14 > 0:13:15but we're getting there.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Does it matter in relation to when they're fed, Norman,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- when you clean their teeth? - Not really.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Some people do it last thing at night,
0:13:24 > 0:13:25some first thing in the morning.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27As long as you build it in their routine and don't forget,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- that's the most important thing. - Yeah.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33All the dogs in our study are healthy
0:13:33 > 0:13:34and don't have gum disease.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37We want to see which of our measures
0:13:37 > 0:13:41gives the best chance of stopping it ever happening.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45To make it a fair test, we need to be sure they all start
0:13:45 > 0:13:47with equally clean teeth.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51So veterinary surgeon Ross Allen is giving them a scale and polish.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56To avoid any anxiety or discomfort for the dogs,
0:13:56 > 0:13:57he does this under anaesthetic.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02So we just do each tooth in turn
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and we try to do this in a logical manner,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06to make sure we do each tooth and don't miss any out.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11At the end of a long day, our test subjects go home
0:14:11 > 0:14:13armed for the challenges ahead.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Your sheet here...- Thank you.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Our experiment is now up and running
0:14:16 > 0:14:19and in six weeks' time, we'll bring all our dogs back
0:14:19 > 0:14:22and see which of the three methods has been most effective
0:14:22 > 0:14:24at keeping their teeth clean.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Right now across the UK,
0:14:37 > 0:14:42one in five of our pet cats and one in ten of our dogs have fleas
0:14:42 > 0:14:45and these most minuscule of pet menaces
0:14:45 > 0:14:46can make their lives a misery.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50So I'm going to seek out the latest scientific evidence
0:14:50 > 0:14:52on how to get rid of them.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Now, if your pet gets fleas,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01the first thing you're likely to be recommended at the pet shop
0:15:01 > 0:15:03is something called a spot-on treatment.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11How they work is you apply a dose to one spot on your pet
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and the treatment gradually spreads beneath the fur,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16killing any fleas it comes into contact with.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20So, you found fleas on your pet.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23You treated him and now they're all gone - simple.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Well, unfortunately, it's not.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28In fact, it's just the tip of the iceberg,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32because 95% of the fleas you're going to have to deal with
0:15:32 > 0:15:33are not on your pet -
0:15:33 > 0:15:35they're in your home.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42And that's why, all too often, they simply come back.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48'So I've come to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
0:15:48 > 0:15:51'where insect expert Professor James Logan
0:15:51 > 0:15:54'is going to help me test the best way
0:15:54 > 0:15:55'to banish these tiny troublemakers.'
0:15:57 > 0:15:59People think about fleas as being on their pets
0:15:59 > 0:16:02and that is where the adults tend to live,
0:16:02 > 0:16:03but when they lay their eggs,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05they roll off and into the environment,
0:16:05 > 0:16:06and that's where they hatch out.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10So actually, most of the larvae, the young fleas,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12will be crawling around in the carpet
0:16:12 > 0:16:17and they'll live there for a week or so, couple of weeks sometimes,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20sort of growing, eating debris that they just pick up off the floor
0:16:20 > 0:16:22before developing into a pupa.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25And those pupae, those cocoons,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28they've basically effectively got an adult flea
0:16:28 > 0:16:30waiting to pop out of them at any time,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32and they can last a long time in the environment, can't they?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Yeah. This is one of the amazing things about fleas.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39They can live for up to a year as a cocoon, as this pupa,
0:16:39 > 0:16:40just waiting in the carpet.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So, James, if somebody does have a flea infestation,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46it's not obviously just the pet that they need to treat.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48They do need to get the environment
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- where those fleas are coming from. - Mm-hm.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54We want to find the best way to blitz the bugs.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58So we've set up a unique test of our own,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01a head-to-head contest between three popular products
0:17:01 > 0:17:04sold on their flea-busting credentials.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07First, we've got a pump spray
0:17:07 > 0:17:11which promises to block the breathing holes on the fleas.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Next up, a powder you shake around your home,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18containing the chemical permethrin, which is toxic to fleas.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Finally, an aerosol spray.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26This also contains permethrin, but at a higher concentration,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and claims to attack not just mature fleas
0:17:29 > 0:17:31but also the eggs and larvae.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35We've dosed small squares of fabric with the flea treatment
0:17:35 > 0:17:37according to the manufacturers' instructions.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Next, we put each inside a plastic cone
0:17:40 > 0:17:41to stop the fleas from escaping.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46So, I'm going to pop them into the cones.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48A few more still in there.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So you can see them jumping around in there already.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56We're going to leave them all here for four hours
0:17:56 > 0:17:59to find out which product kills the most fleas.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03Meantime, James can show us
0:18:03 > 0:18:06exactly what makes fleas such maddening pests
0:18:06 > 0:18:08by doing another experiment -
0:18:08 > 0:18:10on me.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14OK, so we've got some very hungry fleas inside here
0:18:14 > 0:18:15and, if you're brave enough,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I'm going to get you to put your hand in here.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Oh, they're straight on there. - Yeah.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- Oh, and I can feel them biting now. - Can you?- Yes.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So how did they know that there was a meal arriving?
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Because that's quite a distance that they've detected me from.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31So, your body is hot.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33It produces heat, some moisture,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and it also produces chemicals like carbon dioxide
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and other chemicals given off by the skin,
0:18:37 > 0:18:38and the fleas detect that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40And as soon as they detect it,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44they know it's a warm-blooded host and they're off.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- So, shall we just have a little look under this microscope?- Mm.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50See if we can see them on the skin.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Oh, there he is. I can see it. - Oh, yeah.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03The fleas on my arm are cat fleas.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07This means they need to feed on cat blood to be able to lay eggs.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12But beware - that doesn't stop them from feeding on humans.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16'I'm beginning to appreciate
0:19:16 > 0:19:19'just how unpleasant it feels for our pets to have fleas.'
0:19:19 > 0:19:21How many have you got on that side?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23One, two, three,... Seven, eight, nine...
0:19:23 > 0:19:25And then up my wrist, as well, yeah.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28So it's probably about 13, 14, this side.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30And about 16 on this side, as well.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- That's amazing.- Yeah.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35So much of it is hidden away from people's eyes.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37They have no idea this is going on
0:19:37 > 0:19:39under that fine glossy coat of their pet.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Yeah.- And it must be absolute murder for them.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Back in the test lab, it's time for the results.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Treatment one was the pump spray.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54In our test, this killed 30% of the fleas.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Our second treatment was the powder.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00This killed 66% of the fleas.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05And finally, the third treatment, the aerosol spray.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09This wiped out a whopping 95% of the fleas.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12A clear winner.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14You can see, it's pretty clear.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- Oh, yes.- They're pretty much all dead in there,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and that's what we saw right the way across the board.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22So, without a doubt, I would say that the aerosol,
0:20:22 > 0:20:23with those active ingredients in,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26is the best product that we've tested here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Although the aerosol contains
0:20:30 > 0:20:34the same anti-flea chemical - permethrin - as the powder,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36in our small-scale study,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40we found the aerosol was much more effective at killing fleas.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This may partly be because
0:20:43 > 0:20:45the concentration of the chemical was higher
0:20:45 > 0:20:50and the aerosol may also have been a more effective way to disperse it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55And although the aerosol comes with a higher price tag -
0:20:55 > 0:21:00£16 compared to £4 for the powder and £10 for the pump spray -
0:21:00 > 0:21:03it covers more area than either of them.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07So, for treating an equivalent area of carpet,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10it actually works out cheaper.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11So if your pet has got fleas,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14you're simply not going to end their suffering
0:21:14 > 0:21:16unless you sort out your home.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18If you don't tackle an infested environment
0:21:18 > 0:21:21with a proper, effective product,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23there's going to be a lot more scratching.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Still to come, the ground-breaking research
0:21:28 > 0:21:33that has uncovered a startling new cause of diabetes in cats.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36The latest techniques to avoid the killer disease
0:21:36 > 0:21:39affecting over half the nation's pet reptiles.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44And I have an amazing opportunity to help rabbit experts at the RVC
0:21:44 > 0:21:46save an animal's life.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Just keep breathing for her.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50PHONE RINGS
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Queen Mother Hospital, emergency line, can I help you?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Road traffic accidents are by far
0:21:57 > 0:22:00the most common cause of severe injuries to animals.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04The trauma centre here at the RVC is the largest unit in Europe
0:22:04 > 0:22:06that specialises in animal accidents.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09So the vets here see the worst cases.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13So, if your pet is hit by a car,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17what can you do as an owner to give them the best chance of survival?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23With 13 years as a vet in general practice,
0:22:23 > 0:22:28Alice Rhodes has seen most kinds of pet emergency...
0:22:28 > 0:22:32So this is his spinal cord here, and his brain here.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34..and she is here to give you the ultimate vet's guide
0:22:34 > 0:22:37to saving an injured animal.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Road accidents cause some of the most severe and complex injuries
0:22:43 > 0:22:46we vets encounter, and nobody sees more of them
0:22:46 > 0:22:50than Dom Barfield, head of the trauma centre here at the RVC.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I guess that there must be a massive range of injuries
0:22:54 > 0:22:56that you see in these trauma cases.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00The most concerning to us are injuries that involve either
0:23:00 > 0:23:02the head or chest area, obviously,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05because of the vital organs that are associated with those.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Although traumatic injuries to the limbs can look horrific,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11and obviously cause a lot of distress to people,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and obviously the patient,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15normally, they are not as life-threatening.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Just as crucial as the treatment the animal receives
0:23:20 > 0:23:21at a specialist centre like this
0:23:21 > 0:23:24is what happens at the point of injury.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Their chance of survival is significantly affected
0:23:27 > 0:23:30by how quickly we act at the scene.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35One of the RVC's recent patients was Albi.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41Six months ago, he was hit by two cars in a road accident.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43The actions his owners, Mark and April,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45took immediately after were crucial.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49He was bleeding from his jaw.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51There was quite a bit of blood.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55I wrapped Albi in a familiar blanket for comfort
0:23:55 > 0:23:57and tried to keep him warm.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01He couldn't walk on his leg, so we knew his back leg was broken,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03but we didn't know the extent of the injuries.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Next, they took Albi to the vet as quickly as possible.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11X-rays revealed he had multiple injuries
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and needed emergency surgery.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16By getting him there quickly and safely,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Albi's owners saved his life.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24I'm going to show these dog owners
0:24:24 > 0:24:28some of the simple but vital steps we can all take
0:24:28 > 0:24:30to help save an injured pet.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32First, how to move them safely.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Now, hopefully you'll never be in this situation,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38but it's a good thing to be prepared,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40just in case you ever are.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42It's important to remember to approach with care,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46because they may be quite stressed or in a lot of pain
0:24:46 > 0:24:50and even a dog who normally would never consider biting somebody,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53may, in that situation, be liable to give a little bite.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'A blanket makes it easier to pick up an injured animal.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01'Slide underneath them and lift them carefully,
0:25:01 > 0:25:02'getting help if you need it.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Good boy, Louie.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'If you suspect that your pet has a spinal injury,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11'then the parcel shelf of a car can be used as a stretcher.'
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Good boy. Lie down.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14SHE LAUGHS
0:25:14 > 0:25:17So once you've moved your pet out of danger's way,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20there are a couple of checks that you can do
0:25:20 > 0:25:24to see how unwell they are, which may just forewarn your vet.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28OK, Caesar. So, for example, you can have a feel for their heartbeat.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Their heart is around this area of their body,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33underneath their elbows,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36and you can have a feel to see if you can still feel it beating.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39You could also pop your hand under their back leg
0:25:39 > 0:25:41to feel for their pulse.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43The other thing you can do, if they are really collapsed,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45is to have a little tap, very gently,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48at the inner side of their eye and see if they blink,
0:25:48 > 0:25:49like Caesar's doing here,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52cos that tells you that they're still responding,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54which is really important in a badly injured animal.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59Next, check for bleeding and cover any injury
0:25:59 > 0:26:01with a clean tea towel or pillowcase.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04This will help prevent dirt getting into the wound.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07And if there was actually blood free-flowing from the wound,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11you might want to apply some pressure to stop that bleeding.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Good dog!
0:26:14 > 0:26:17One of the most important things you can do for your pet
0:26:17 > 0:26:22before they reach specialist care is comfort and reassure them.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24If your animal has suffered a major trauma,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26there is a possibility that they'll go into shock,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29which is where not enough blood is travelling around their body
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and they may be quite collapsed,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and soothing them, and giving them lots of reassurance - hey, Doug -
0:26:35 > 0:26:37on the journey can really help them.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39And if they are awake enough,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41don't be tempted to give them any food or water
0:26:41 > 0:26:43because it may affect what your vet can do
0:26:43 > 0:26:45when you arrive at the surgery.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49You should call the vet to warn them you're coming
0:26:49 > 0:26:52and tell them as much as you can about the accident
0:26:52 > 0:26:54and any injuries you can see.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Finally, remember, your pet could have
0:26:56 > 0:26:59internal injuries you can't see.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02And so if you know they've been in an accident,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05it's always best to get them checked over,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08even if they appear to be completely fine.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19Getting Albi quickly and safely to the vet after his road accident
0:27:19 > 0:27:21meant that he got life-saving treatment
0:27:21 > 0:27:24at the RVC's trauma centre just in time.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27So we're about six months on now
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and he can jump, climb, run, just like a normal cat.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34He hasn't got a limp or anything like that. It's unbelievable.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39So if your pet is injured, there are some important rules to remember.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Call the vet so they can prepare for your arrival
0:27:43 > 0:27:46and give them as much information as possible.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Take your pet to safety.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Check their heartbeat and reactions and for any bleeding.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55By following these simple steps, you could save your pet's life.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58For more information,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00visit the Trust Me I'm A Vet website.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Diabetes in cats has increased, shockingly, fivefold
0:28:12 > 0:28:13in the last 20 years.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It now affects around one in 200 cats.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20The cause of this dramatic rise, until recently, was a mystery.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24But researchers at RVC have unearthed a surprising cause
0:28:24 > 0:28:26that nobody predicted.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32The breakthrough came thanks to some mysterious cases like Frodo.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35He was recently diagnosed with diabetes.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41As in humans, this means his body can't respond properly to insulin -
0:28:41 > 0:28:44the hormone that helps it use glucose for energy.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49It's usually assumed the condition is caused by too much food
0:28:49 > 0:28:52and not enough exercise.
0:28:52 > 0:28:57So Frodo was prescribed injections of insulin and a special diet.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00It changed our daily routine.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02He has to have his insulin
0:29:02 > 0:29:04and he has to have it at regular intervals.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10But Frodo hasn't responded to this treatment,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14so his vet has referred him to specialists here at the RVC.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Research carried out by Stijn Niesson and his team
0:29:17 > 0:29:20has shown that, in a quarter of diabetic cats,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23the illness isn't down to diet.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Instead, these cats have abnormally high levels
0:29:26 > 0:29:28of a hormone that controls growth.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33This interferes with the way insulin works in the body.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37And its presence suggested a surprising reason
0:29:37 > 0:29:41behind these cats' diabetes -
0:29:41 > 0:29:43a brain tumour.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48So the elevation of growth hormone comes from a tumour in the brain -
0:29:48 > 0:29:52a particular part of the brain called the pituitary gland,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54which has a really important function.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56But when it becomes tumorous,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58it can overproduce some of the hormones
0:29:58 > 0:30:00that it normally produces.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02So I used to think, and I was told,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04that this was an incredibly rare disease.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07In fact, you know, I was barely told to think about it at all
0:30:07 > 0:30:09because I am unlikely to see it.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11But you're saying that a quarter of the diabetic cats
0:30:11 > 0:30:13that come into the clinic,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15they've got a brain tumour, effectively?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Absolutely, and this is the reaction I get from my colleagues
0:30:18 > 0:30:19when I speak to them.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22They first laugh at me and then I present the data.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And indeed, one in four of the diabetic cats
0:30:25 > 0:30:30that you and I see will have this brain tumour causing the diabetes.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33So a completely different type of diabetes.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Stijn suspects that Frodo is among the one in four cats
0:30:37 > 0:30:40whose diabetes is caused by a tumour.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44A CT scan reveals he is right.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47There is a tumour on his pituitary gland.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48If left in place,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51it will continue to grow and could become life-threatening.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55The best option for Frodo is surgery to remove his pituitary gland.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00It's a delicate operation and the RVC team
0:31:00 > 0:31:04is one of only a small handful in the world to perform it.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09So this whole procedure is trying to get to the pituitary,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13which is at the base of the brain, which is...up there.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15The roof of your mouth is a hard palate,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18which is the bony part of the roof of your mouth.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21But if you go further back, there's a soft bit, soft palate.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24That has to be split, which Patrick has been able to do and open,
0:31:24 > 0:31:26and then get to this tiny organ
0:31:26 > 0:31:29that is producing all these hormones.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31It's producing hormones that Frodo needs,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34but it's also producing this excessive amount of growth hormone.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36It's fiddly, it takes millimetre precision
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and it's extraordinary to be able to see this.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Surgeon Patrick Kenny needs to work carefully
0:31:45 > 0:31:49to avoid the large blood vessels surrounding the tumour.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51You can see that that's the tumour there,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53that I'm just touching.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57But that's just one of the challenges of this operation.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01The pituitary gland produces several key hormones
0:32:01 > 0:32:04that are essential to keep an animal alive.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06So when Patrick is ready to remove it,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Stijn and his team need to be poised
0:32:08 > 0:32:13to start giving Frodo medication to replace these crucial hormones.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19So, Patrick is about to remove the tumour and the whole pituitary,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23and therefore, we now need to provide those vital functions
0:32:23 > 0:32:27that the pituitary normally has, in the shape of drugs.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29It will happen that quickly
0:32:29 > 0:32:32that you will see an effect if you didn't do this?
0:32:32 > 0:32:34Absolutely. We would, within minutes,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37see a dropping of the levels of the hormones
0:32:37 > 0:32:39that Frodo needs to stay alive.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43So if we don't get the timing right, we will be up for trouble.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48So, Patrick, do you think you've got it all?
0:32:49 > 0:32:55Yeah. I'm confident that I've got all the tumour that I can see.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58The operation has gone as well as the team could hope,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00but they will only know if it's been a success
0:33:00 > 0:33:04when Frodo comes round in the intensive care unit.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08With more and more cats being diagnosed with these tumours,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Stijn wants to know what's causing them.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13He and his team have tested the blood
0:33:13 > 0:33:16of over 200 cats with the condition
0:33:16 > 0:33:19and found something remarkable -
0:33:19 > 0:33:22high levels of toxic chemicals.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25We know that certain toxins
0:33:25 > 0:33:29can actually cause a pituitary tumour to form
0:33:29 > 0:33:32and what we've found is that, in our cat populations,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35those toxin levels are way higher.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37And where are these toxins coming from?
0:33:37 > 0:33:38Where are they picking them up?
0:33:38 > 0:33:39That's the scary bit.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43They are picking them up from our households,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47so that from your curtains, your carpets, your computer screen,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50those are all chemicals that factories use
0:33:50 > 0:33:52to make the products more usable.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54But if they are ingested by us,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57they can have adverse health effects.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01These chemicals are widely used
0:34:01 > 0:34:04to make our carpets and furnishings safer -
0:34:04 > 0:34:07for instance, fire retardants.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10And because cats groom themselves by licking their fur,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13they're more likely than other pets to ingest them
0:34:13 > 0:34:15and end up with tumours.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Is this something that we should be worried about for human health?
0:34:18 > 0:34:22I think so. I think this is going to be a big story over the next decade
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and that's why it makes me worried, as well.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30The number of people with pituitary tumours
0:34:30 > 0:34:34has increased around 300-fold since 2004.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Stijn and his team are starting a new study
0:34:37 > 0:34:39to see whether the same toxins from furnishings
0:34:39 > 0:34:42are present in the blood of human patients.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47Hi, there. Annette?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Hi, Stijn speaking from the RVC.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53You're speaking to a happy man.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Stijn is able to let Frodo's owners know
0:34:55 > 0:34:58that he's come round from his operation and is doing well.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02That is unbelievable.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06This is a cat that had brain surgery a matter of a couple of hours ago
0:35:06 > 0:35:08and he's just tucking into his tea
0:35:08 > 0:35:10as if nothing's happened at all.
0:35:10 > 0:35:11Keep at it, little man.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19It's too early to know if we humans are at risk from these chemicals,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21but as a vet, it's really inspiring
0:35:21 > 0:35:25to see the veterinary and human medical teams coming together
0:35:25 > 0:35:27to research what started out as a cat's disease,
0:35:27 > 0:35:31but could have massive implications for human medicine.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36Still to come...
0:35:36 > 0:35:39The surprising science of why short teeth
0:35:39 > 0:35:42are key to a long life for rabbits,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44and the latest techniques to save your bearded dragon
0:35:44 > 0:35:46from a killer disease.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54But first...
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Even our most familiar pets
0:35:56 > 0:36:01sometimes behave in strange and unpredictable ways.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05But knowing what it means can help you keep them happy and healthy.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Judy is going to crack the secrets
0:36:07 > 0:36:12of one of our most popular exotic pets - the tortoise.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Tortoises are fascinating but, let's face it,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18we don't exactly see them as particularly dynamic pets -
0:36:18 > 0:36:21but just occasionally, they do something completely baffling.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24It can even take owners by surprise.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28It gets you thinking, "Is it normal? Is it good? Is it bad?"
0:36:28 > 0:36:29Time to learn some tortoise.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36There are around 300,000 tortoises in the UK
0:36:36 > 0:36:38and we asked you owners out there
0:36:38 > 0:36:42to capture your pet's weird and wonderful behaviour on camera
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and send us your footage -
0:36:44 > 0:36:46and you've given us some fascinating stuff.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Our first curious behaviour comes from Sally in Anglesey.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57Her tortoise, Will, is happiest scaling a sheer rock face.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58But why would a tortoise do this?
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Contrary to their placid reputation,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04tortoises are incredibly inquisitive
0:37:04 > 0:37:06and they need to find the boundaries of their territory.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08This comes out as a strong urge to climb.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11They may not look like natural climbers, but the claws
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and the backward-facing scales on their front legs
0:37:14 > 0:37:17give them incredible traction over rough terrain.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23It's a good idea to give your tortoise objects to clamber over
0:37:23 > 0:37:26so they can satisfy their urge to climb.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Our next strange behaviour has been sent in
0:37:30 > 0:37:33by Joe from Blaydon - digging.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35There are certain animals we'd expect to see digging
0:37:35 > 0:37:37in our garden - our dog, rabbits.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39But why would a tortoise dig?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41If you have got a female tortoise
0:37:41 > 0:37:43and you see her digging with her back legs,
0:37:43 > 0:37:44she may be preparing to lay eggs.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Even with no male around,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49a female tortoise will lay unfertilised eggs
0:37:49 > 0:37:52and she'll want to bury them in a depression she digs in the ground.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55And that's not to be confused
0:37:55 > 0:37:57with a tortoise digging with its front legs
0:37:57 > 0:38:00in an attempt to bury itself.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Like other reptiles, tortoises can't maintain their own body heat,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06so they use digging to control the temperature.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12In the wild, tortoises dig down to escape the sun if they are too hot,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14or preserve body heat if they're too cold.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18It's good to give your tortoise
0:38:18 > 0:38:21a suitable digging pit of sand and soil,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23but if you notice it's often burying itself,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26check the temperature in your enclosure is right.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31And finally, for me,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33the most intriguing tortoise behaviour of all,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37sent in by Donna in Stoke Ferry -
0:38:37 > 0:38:38wallowing in water.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43As a desert species, tortoises are well adapted to a harsh environment
0:38:43 > 0:38:46and they'll make best use of water sources where they can
0:38:46 > 0:38:47by storing it in their bodies.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53But it doesn't take in the water only through its mouth.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Tortoise tongues are too short to be efficient at lapping up water.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Tortoises take water in through their cloaca,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02a small opening located near the tail,
0:39:02 > 0:39:03and they store it in their bladder.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Unlike us, tortoises use their bladder to store water
0:39:09 > 0:39:12to keep them going during dry periods
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and a soak lets them take in as much as they need.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19You should aim to give your tortoise a supervised bath 2-3 times a week.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Tap water is fine, but tortoises get cold quickly,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27so let the water warm up to room temperature
0:39:27 > 0:39:31and don't leave your pet in it for more than a few minutes.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34If you have the type of tortoise that hibernates,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36you should aim to bathe it daily before it goes to sleep
0:39:36 > 0:39:39because a full bladder allows it to reabsorb water during hibernation
0:39:39 > 0:39:41and therefore survive.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Clever little things, those tortoises!
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Earlier in the programme,
0:39:47 > 0:39:51we began an ambitious study that's never been tried before
0:39:51 > 0:39:54to find out the best way to keep your dog's teeth clean
0:39:54 > 0:39:56and avoid them getting gum disease,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59which can lead to serious health problems.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01We'll be back for the results later.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04But first, I'm going to look at
0:40:04 > 0:40:07an amazingly widespread dental condition
0:40:07 > 0:40:10that can be life-threatening in another of our most common pets.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Dental problems are the number one reason
0:40:14 > 0:40:17that I see rabbits in clinical practice
0:40:17 > 0:40:20and they see a huge number here at the RVC.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24It's estimated that up to 40% of rabbits may be affected,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and that's just the rabbits that we vets get to see.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31We're all familiar with the classic storybook image
0:40:31 > 0:40:34of a rabbit with protruding front teeth.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38But in fact, this is the last thing you want to see.
0:40:38 > 0:40:39If you can see a rabbit's teeth,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42it's actually quite an advanced stage
0:40:42 > 0:40:45of a devastating condition we call overgrowth,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47where the teeth have grown too long.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51It's a problem that can put a rabbit's life at risk.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53To show you why, I've come to see
0:40:53 > 0:40:57one of the patients here at the RVC - Bella.
0:40:57 > 0:40:58She's a rescue rabbit
0:40:58 > 0:41:03whose new owners have brought her in to see rabbit expert Jo Hedley.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06We're going to be doing some X-rays of her head
0:41:06 > 0:41:09to see what the teeth look like, which teeth are remaining
0:41:09 > 0:41:11and which ones might be causing problems.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15The X-rays will reveal the state of Bella's teeth
0:41:15 > 0:41:18all the way down to the roots.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Unfortunately those teeth are not looking good for poor Bella.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Healthy teeth should look like this, with individual back teeth,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28a nice, smooth jawbone
0:41:28 > 0:41:29under the roots,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and pointed teeth at the front.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33But Bella's X-rays show
0:41:33 > 0:41:35a very different picture.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Her back teeth have overgrown so much
0:41:37 > 0:41:39that it's impossible to make out
0:41:39 > 0:41:40any individual teeth.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42This has even caused her tooth roots
0:41:42 > 0:41:44to grow back into the jawbone
0:41:44 > 0:41:45and her front teeth
0:41:45 > 0:41:47are very misshapen.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Left untreated, what do you think would happen to Bella at this point?
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Her teeth will continue to overgrow, the remaining ones that are there.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Any infection will worsen
0:41:58 > 0:42:02and she'll get reluctant to eat hard foods, and then soft foods,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05and then, eventually, anything at all.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09So why might your rabbit end up with overgrown teeth like Bella?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12And what can you do about it?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14The thing is about rabbits is that their teeth,
0:42:14 > 0:42:19unlike humans or cats and dogs, grow constantly throughout life,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21up to three millimetres a week.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Now, the reason they do this is they've evolved to eat
0:42:24 > 0:42:27a very abrasive food, like grass, that wears their teeth down,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31so they have to constantly grow to replace them.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33In pet rabbits, though,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36the problems arise when their teeth aren't being worn down
0:42:36 > 0:42:38as fast as they grow.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And it all comes down to what you feed them.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Take this stuff, for example.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46Rabbit muesli.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50A quarter of owners buy it and rabbits love it,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54but it causes them to eat in a completely unnatural way
0:42:54 > 0:42:56that is harmful to their teeth.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00When rabbits eat soft food, like muesli,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02their jaws move vertically,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05crushing the food quickly and easily.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08But this doesn't wear their teeth down.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Hay is actually tougher and higher in fibre,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14which means their jaw has to work much harder,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17moving from side to side to grind it down,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19which does wear down their teeth.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23It also contains lots of healthy ingredients,
0:43:23 > 0:43:25such as calcium and vitamins D,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28that help form really strong bones and healthy teeth.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35If you don't feed them enough high-fibre foods like hay and grass,
0:43:35 > 0:43:37they could end up with tooth problems like Bella's.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Jo is now going to have to grind down Bella's teeth,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47a procedure that has to be performed under anaesthetic.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51But anaesthetising a rabbit is challenging.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Rabbits are more difficult patients to anaesthetise than a dog or a cat.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58They're highly charged with adrenaline
0:43:58 > 0:44:01because they are a prey species, and you've got to be ready to react.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05She's not there yet. She's still a little bit...
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Suddenly, Bella stops breathing.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11The team act quickly...
0:44:13 > 0:44:17..inserting tubes to supply oxygen and ventilate her lungs.
0:44:22 > 0:44:26Jo coordinates all of us to save Bella's life.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28- Would I be able to have someone help hold this side?- Absolutely.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30If that's all right - thank you.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32Are you happy to just keep breathing for her?
0:44:32 > 0:44:35Are you happy to keep listening to the heart?
0:44:35 > 0:44:37And this way, we'll have a look at her teeth
0:44:37 > 0:44:39as she is recovering.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43Thanks to the swift action of the RVC team,
0:44:43 > 0:44:46she starts breathing again and the danger is over.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50Now she's stable, Jo can finally get to work on her teeth.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55So Bella does not have many teeth left.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59That one is very loose, isn't it?
0:44:59 > 0:45:00- It's just way...- It is a bit...
0:45:00 > 0:45:02If overgrowth goes unchecked,
0:45:02 > 0:45:05it can cause so much damage to the roots of the teeth
0:45:05 > 0:45:07that they fall out.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Bella has already lost many of her teeth
0:45:09 > 0:45:12and today, Jo has to remove another.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14She then uses a pneumatic burr
0:45:14 > 0:45:18to grind down the remaining overgrown teeth.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20Great. OK.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22That's actually all we need to do in Bella's mouth.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26Which I am sure she will be happy with.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Now with her teeth ground down to the size they should be,
0:45:31 > 0:45:35Bella will be able to eat without pain and return to good health.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44The following morning, she is up and about and eating.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47The best way to avoid problems like Bella's
0:45:47 > 0:45:49is to feed them plenty of hay,
0:45:49 > 0:45:52which will grind their teeth down naturally,
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and you might want to try checking your rabbit's teeth at home.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59What you do is you just gently stroke the face
0:45:59 > 0:46:02and get them used to the fact that you are just going to have
0:46:02 > 0:46:03a look at their teeth.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06The front teeth should be nice and short and sharp
0:46:06 > 0:46:08and they should meet just at the side there.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11If you want to feel the molars, it's much more difficult,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14but you can get a sense of the lower molars
0:46:14 > 0:46:17by rubbing underneath the rabbit's jaw.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20If you feel anything irregular or anything asymmetric,
0:46:20 > 0:46:22then that's definitely something
0:46:22 > 0:46:24that we need to look at at the surgery.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30There are other ways to spot trouble,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32such as difficulty eating,
0:46:32 > 0:46:35weight loss, or a swollen face.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50Vim Kumaratunga is a vet with over ten years of experience
0:46:50 > 0:46:54treating some of our less familiar pets.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57He is going to look into the latest techniques
0:46:57 > 0:47:00to avoid the most common disease in pet reptiles in the UK.
0:47:06 > 0:47:07This is a bearded dragon.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12A reptile from the Australian outback.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15I've had a bearded dragon myself and I think they make great pets
0:47:15 > 0:47:18and they've got great characters, and because of this,
0:47:18 > 0:47:21they have become incredibly popular pets in the UK
0:47:21 > 0:47:24and there may be up to half a million of them around.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29Over the years, I've treated hundreds,
0:47:29 > 0:47:33and the vast majority of cases have been due to one medical condition.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35It's called metabolic bone disease.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39It means the animal isn't building normal, healthy bone
0:47:39 > 0:47:42and it's by far the biggest health problem
0:47:42 > 0:47:44in pet reptiles like dragons,
0:47:44 > 0:47:47accounting for more than half of all vet visits.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52But by the time you notice any outward signs,
0:47:52 > 0:47:55your pet might be extremely ill.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59If we show you an X-ray of a healthy reptile,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02you can actually see how these bones are bright white
0:48:02 > 0:48:06and we can see the bones all the way to the tip of the toes there.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08But for the dragon with metabolic bone disease,
0:48:08 > 0:48:10it's a different picture.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12Take a look at this X-ray of a typical case.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14The bones are quite thin
0:48:14 > 0:48:17and we're not seeing the bones going towards the tips of the toes.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19And you can actually see, just above the elbow here,
0:48:19 > 0:48:22there's a fracture where the bones have separated.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26This life-threatening disease doesn't occur in the wild -
0:48:26 > 0:48:28only in captive animals.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31And it's all down to how they are kept,
0:48:31 > 0:48:33so it is crucial for owners to know what to do.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Thankfully, metabolic bone disease can be prevented
0:48:37 > 0:48:40and a few simple steps can make all the difference.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47So I have come to Sparsholt College near Southampton
0:48:47 > 0:48:49to meet the reptile experts here
0:48:49 > 0:48:52and see how they apply the latest research
0:48:52 > 0:48:54to keep their reptiles healthy.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58One key factor is their diet.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02It's widely known that calcium is vital for healthy bones
0:49:02 > 0:49:08and reptiles are particularly vulnerable if they don't get enough.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12'Kat Shue works in the reptile care team here at the college.'
0:49:12 > 0:49:14What do you do here at the college
0:49:14 > 0:49:16to make sure that your bearded dragons get enough calcium?
0:49:16 > 0:49:20So we buy in high-calcium foods.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22This is spring greens and this is lamb's lettuce,
0:49:22 > 0:49:26both really high in calcium and vitamins C.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29We've got some Timothy hay, which you can buy from pet shops,
0:49:29 > 0:49:31which is very high in calcium.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36As well as fresh greens,
0:49:36 > 0:49:39there's another key food type your dragon needs.
0:49:43 > 0:49:48In here, we have black crickets and we have some brown silent crickets.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Not all reptiles eat insects but, for some,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55they are an important source of protein,
0:49:55 > 0:49:57and bearded dragons go mad for them.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59So you can sneak in some extra calcium
0:49:59 > 0:50:02to guard against metabolic bone disease
0:50:02 > 0:50:04simply by dusting them with mineral powder.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07This can be bought at any good pet shop.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09- Shall we go and feed them now?- Yeah.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12But diet is only half the story.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20To avoid metabolic bone disease,
0:50:20 > 0:50:22there are two crucial factors in the dragon's environment
0:50:22 > 0:50:24you need to know about.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28'Gary Miller is a reptile expert here at Sparsholt College.'
0:50:30 > 0:50:32First and foremost, get your temperatures right.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Heat is crucial.
0:50:34 > 0:50:39If dragons aren't warm enough, their metabolism slows down.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41So even if they've eaten enough calcium,
0:50:41 > 0:50:44their bodies can't absorb it.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47So we've got a couple of infrared heat lamps
0:50:47 > 0:50:51that are shining down heat on the enclosure.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55But dragons also need access to cooler areas.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58So we've built up the rocky area and the decor
0:50:58 > 0:51:01so they've got a choice, so they have got a gradient,
0:51:01 > 0:51:02they can get up to the heat
0:51:02 > 0:51:04and they can go down, away from the heat,
0:51:04 > 0:51:06to the cooler parts of the tank.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Gary and his team regularly check
0:51:09 > 0:51:12the temperature within the enclosure.
0:51:12 > 0:51:13This is a thermal imaging camera
0:51:13 > 0:51:16and it's giving us the scope of temperature gradings
0:51:16 > 0:51:18within the tank.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20So you've got the bright colour up here,
0:51:20 > 0:51:23the yellow indicating the high temperatures.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26So in here, we're getting a reading of about 40 degrees,
0:51:26 > 0:51:28and then dropping down to the darker colours,
0:51:28 > 0:51:32representing the lower temperatures, around 22, 23 degrees C.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35And what's really nice to see, one of the beardies there,
0:51:35 > 0:51:37a nice, bright yellow colour,
0:51:37 > 0:51:39absorbing the heat from its surroundings,
0:51:39 > 0:51:41making sure it can get up to its correct temperature.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45You can check the temperature of your home set-up
0:51:45 > 0:51:48with thermometers placed in different parts of your enclosure.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52And there is one final essential your dragon needs.
0:51:52 > 0:51:53Ultraviolet light.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Like heat, it helps the body absorb calcium from the diet.
0:51:59 > 0:52:04But recent research has shown that it's one specific type, UVB,
0:52:04 > 0:52:07that these reptiles need plenty of.
0:52:07 > 0:52:08It is a big breakthrough
0:52:08 > 0:52:11in the fight against metabolic bone disease,
0:52:11 > 0:52:14and lamps that generate UVB are now increasingly available
0:52:14 > 0:52:15for domestic use.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20So what do you recommend in a home set-up for ultraviolet light?
0:52:20 > 0:52:25Ideally, at least two-thirds of the tank should be covered with UV.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27Here, because it's such a large enclosure,
0:52:27 > 0:52:29we actually have four tubes.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31At home, you might only have one or two.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38To test UV levels, you can use a metering device like this.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43So there's plenty of good research out there
0:52:43 > 0:52:46telling us how much calcium, heat and UV
0:52:46 > 0:52:50bearded dragons and other reptiles need.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52Getting it right for your species
0:52:52 > 0:52:54will help your pet avoid metabolic bone disease
0:52:54 > 0:52:56throughout their life
0:52:56 > 0:52:57and there's more information
0:52:57 > 0:52:59on the Trust Me I'm A Vet website.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Earlier in the programme
0:53:18 > 0:53:21we kicked off a unique experiment to find the best way
0:53:21 > 0:53:23of keeping your pet's teeth clean
0:53:23 > 0:53:26to avoid the serious health problems
0:53:26 > 0:53:29that can come with bad teeth and gum disease.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33Three groups of volunteers each tested a different method.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35The first group were using dental chews,
0:53:35 > 0:53:37specially shaped to clean teeth
0:53:37 > 0:53:39and containing a plaque-slowing chemical.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41We've got another dog, as well,
0:53:41 > 0:53:42she was actually getting a bit jealous,
0:53:42 > 0:53:44we had to start buying dental chews for her, too.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48The second group were using dental kibble,
0:53:48 > 0:53:51a rough biscuit food formulated to scrape away plaque.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55She absolutely loved it and she's still loving eating it.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57We're still using it.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01And the third group, a good old-fashioned toothbrush.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03They actually like eating the toothbrush.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05Did chew through a few of them.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07So unfortunately...
0:54:09 > 0:54:12So, after a six-week study,
0:54:12 > 0:54:15which method has been the most effective at preventing plaque?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18The dogs are back to see veterinary surgeon Ross
0:54:18 > 0:54:21for their final assessment.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24He applies a bright pink fluid to each dog's mouth
0:54:24 > 0:54:27to reveal where plaque has built up.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30Ross then gives every tooth a score.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Just at the very back, a one and a zero.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37I'm totally blinded to which dogs are from which group in the study.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40So what's exciting for me is that I truly don't know that answers.
0:54:40 > 0:54:41I don't know what to expect.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45The teeth scores have been analysed and the results are in.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49Hello! Hi, how are you doing?
0:54:49 > 0:54:51It's the moment of tooth...
0:54:51 > 0:54:53Uh, truth.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56When all your dog's teeth were cleaned originally,
0:54:56 > 0:55:01if we had scored them, they would have got a plaque scoring of zero
0:55:01 > 0:55:04because that means your dog's teeth were perfectly clean, OK?
0:55:04 > 0:55:06So, when I give you these numbers,
0:55:06 > 0:55:11the closest to zero is the most effective method, OK?
0:55:11 > 0:55:12So, let's go.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Starting with dental chews.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19You had an average plaque score of...
0:55:20 > 0:55:22..4.1.
0:55:22 > 0:55:26A little bit of plaque build-up, but pretty good, nonetheless.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Kibble.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30You had an average plaque score of...
0:55:31 > 0:55:33..4.65.
0:55:33 > 0:55:34OOHING
0:55:34 > 0:55:36Yeah. Right?
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Close. It was really close, actually.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42OK, moving on to tooth-brushing group.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44You had the hardest job, probably.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48And your dogs had an average plaque score of...
0:55:48 > 0:55:501.25.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53Yes! Fantastic.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55- APPLAUSE - Absolutely, well done.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Tooth-brushing itself has probably been the most difficult
0:55:59 > 0:56:01to carry on with, but it has certainly been
0:56:01 > 0:56:02the most beneficial by a long way.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05Who now, after they've had their results,
0:56:05 > 0:56:07is going to brush their dog's teeth every day?
0:56:10 > 0:56:11Yes. Excellent.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13I think that's a winner, definitely. Toothbrushes.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16A round of applause for the tooth-brushing people.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18APPLAUSE
0:56:18 > 0:56:21For our small-scale study,
0:56:21 > 0:56:24we chose brands of dental chews and dental kibble
0:56:24 > 0:56:28that had been clinically proven to improve dental hygiene.
0:56:28 > 0:56:29Our results show
0:56:29 > 0:56:32there wasn't a great deal of difference between them.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34But our test found that tooth-brushing,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36perhaps unsurprisingly,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39was significantly better at keeping your pet's teeth clean.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44But the reason it's so much better is less obvious.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48So, Norman, why is tooth-brushing the most effective?
0:56:48 > 0:56:53Well, it's the only method that effectively brushes the plaque
0:56:53 > 0:56:56from above and below the gum line and between the teeth.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00So things like kibble, things like chews, for example,
0:57:00 > 0:57:04will perhaps effectively scrub the crown of the tooth,
0:57:04 > 0:57:05but they won't go under the gum line.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08And we had dogs in our experiment.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11Could this be the same for cats, maybe?
0:57:11 > 0:57:13They could be a little bit more of a challenge to brush,
0:57:13 > 0:57:14but it's not impossible.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17There are cat toothbrushes made.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Many cats will tolerate it. Some cats won't.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23But the interesting thing about it is that the kibble diet for cats
0:57:23 > 0:57:27has a much higher level of evidence-based medicine
0:57:27 > 0:57:28that it works better.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35Here you go. Don't forget that.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37Good luck. See you later. There you go.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40So, to avoid the serious health problems
0:57:40 > 0:57:42that come with bad teeth and gums,
0:57:42 > 0:57:44brushing your dog's teeth is clearly the way to go.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47It may take more commitment than the other methods,
0:57:47 > 0:57:50but seeing the experiment results, I'm convinced that it's worth it.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03That's it from the Royal Veterinary College.
0:58:03 > 0:58:05Next time, we're at Liverpool University Veterinary School
0:58:05 > 0:58:07where we're running a unique experiment
0:58:07 > 0:58:10to find the best way for your pet to lose weight.