Apple, Siam & Rosco

Apple is an energetic one-year-old bull terrier puppy who is referred to Fitzpatricks with an ankle problem. After walks or exercise, she limps and can't bear weight on his left hind leg. Apple is a particularly important member of the family to mum Ruth and her two young children, bringing her own special love to them when they first found her after experiencing several family tragedies. Despite her name, however, Apple can’t keep the doctor away and is in constant pain. Ruth is pinning her hopes on Noel coming up with a solution to enable her to walk and run freely and normally again. Noel hopes that a custom-made 3D printed implant may give this beloved dog a new lease of life.

Rescue centre carer Genna brings her beloved Collie Cross, four-year-old Rosco to see Noel with suspected hip dysplasia. Genna and Rosco have been inseparable ever since she adopted him but because he requires specialist orthopaedic care, he has had to temporarily retire from his popular visits to local care home residents and is living in constant pain. Noel confirms a diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis due to hip dysplasia and after X-Ray pictures, he discusses the options with the family. They decide to have total hip replacement performed on the worst-affected limb. Noel hopes to be able to avoid a second hip replacement if Rosco can return to functional quality of life with just one bionic hip...

A two-year-old Siamese cat, Siam, is rushed in by mum and daughter, Vicky and Heather, suffering from a broken leg, shattered pelvis and a suspected spinal injury after being hit by a van. Animals occupy a very special place in the life of Heather, who has complex degenerative disabilities as well as dementia, and for whom Siam is a loving comfort. “They sort of know she’s different,” says Vicky, “they adapt to her, they’re very gentle with her – for me, to see that is such a joyous thing.” Noel first met the family eight years ago when he performed pioneering surgery to provide their Basset hound, Bumblebee, with a bionic leg. Although Siam responds well to post-operative hydrotherapy, the damage to his sciatic nerve could be permanent and may prevent his injured leg from regaining function. Noel has the delicate task of breaking the news to his devoted family.