The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick

Cameras catch up with the work of the pioneering veterinary practice, where some of the hardest-to-cure pets receive cutting-edge treatment. When one-year-old shepherd doodle Raven started limping at only a few months old, his local vet diagnosed double hip dysplasia. Now, owners Alan and Jane find themselves at Fitzpatricks to discuss possible total hip replacement for both back legs. Also receiving help are three-month-old kitten Fury, who has a suspected tibia injury sustained during boisterous play and two-year-old police dog Trigger who has degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, causing pain in his lower back.

Beloved fluff monster Kylo, a 10-month-old rough collie, and golden retriever pup Sasha make return visits to the practice. Kylo's serious leg deformities are causing significant pain, while Sasha's deformed front left foot has left her without properly developed toes - and her struggles are increasing the more she grows. Professor Noel Fitzpatrick and his team need to find innovative solutions to resolve the problems both hounds present.

Scans reveal multiple sites of deformity affecting Milo the Dalmatian's vertebrae, which are squashing both his spinal cord and the nerves coming out on either side. Noel offers the option of distraction fusion surgery to relieve both the pressure and the pain, while Laura and Max bring in their 10-month-old Chuskie pup Moon, who despite his youth has his life blighted by severe developmental elbow disease.

One-year-old golden retriever Bertie developed a dislocated hip joint and curvature of his spine and is in a lot of pain. Noel has to find an implant to treat Bertie's arthritis and prevent his hip from dislocating and work out a way to manage the effect of his spinal deformity over time. Trusty Tibetan terrier, nine-year-old Sunny recently received a total knee replacement using an implant system called a rotating hinge. However, before a second procedure is staged a flare up of the auto-immune inflammatory arthritis in Sunny's carpi casts a dark cloud over his future once again.