The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick

Six years ago, Channel 4 started broadcasting the work of Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, who uses hi-tech solutions to save animals' lives. This documentary looks back at some of his most memorable cases and catches up with the animals at the heart of the stories. Up first are puppies, including four-month-old West Highland terrier Rodney, who had been born without back feet, bulldog puppy Chica, who required urgent surgery to repair a serious elbow fracture, and Rottweiler puppy Elvis, who was given a unique spinal implant developed by Noel.

A look back at some of Noel Fitzpatrick's most memorable cases, focusing on some of the extraordinary customised implants and surgeries Noel has performed to save his patients. The documentary updates the stories of rescue cat Peanut, who had severely deformed front legs, retriever puppy Murphy, who sustained a shocking injury in a dog attack that ripped apart his lower jaw, and Alaskan malamute Adam, who needed customised knee-replacement implants if he was to ever walk again.

Special edition featuring one of the most emotional and heart-rending stories ever filmed - that of Noel Fitzpatrick's own dog, Keira. In September 2020, Noel's life was turned upside down when the 13-year-old border terrier was hit by a van right outside the practice. Having sustained a ruptured abdominal lining and urinary bladder, a crushed sacrum and pelvis and a dislocated hip, Noel's colleagues worked tirelessly to repair extensive internal damage. Suddenly, the surgeon renowned for finding solutions for even the most challenging injuries, had to steel himself for the most important surgery of his life.

Noel treats nine-month-old cockapoo Betsy, whose owners Sophie and Dan are concerned about a dragging front paw caused by nerve damage, to see if there are surgical options. But when Betsy develops gangrene, she has to have her paw amputated, and in order to salvage the rest of her limb, Noel must replace her amputated foot with a skeletally-anchored implant called a PerFiTS (Percutaneous Fixation to the Skeleton).

Feisty feline Driver has already survived trauma during his seven years of life, when he lost an eye as the result of an accident. His indomitable spirit is about to be severely tested again, as he's rushed into Fitzpatrick's as an emergency, suffering from a hip injury and serious trauma having been hit by a car. Seven-year-old Dobermann Dexter has serious spinal problems, collapsing on his back legs and tumbling on his front legs. His owners meet Noel to discuss options for his treatment.

Noel treats Dobermann Rolo, who has an aggressive bone tumour, ferret Astrid, who's broken her leg falling off a sofa doing a 'war dance', and puddle-loving Labrador Jeff, who has life-long arthritis

Noel treats chocolate Labrador Inca, whose elbow implants have worn out, diva Cavapoo Nala, who has hip dysplasia that's causing her pain, and Great Dane Charles, who has a squashed spinal cord

Noel treats goldendoodle Angus, who's fallen 20 metres and has sustained nerve damage, and irrepressible springer spaniel Rocky, whose failed elbow operation has left him struggling to walk