Bear, Bluebell & Henry

Enormous English Mastiff Bear has a big problem. At 95 kgs, this gentle giant has come to Fitzpatrick Referrals after suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee, and is in significant pain. Over time, the joint becomes inflamed and the femur (thigh bone) moves abnormally relative to the tibia (shin bone). Noel explains that replacement of the ligament isn’t advisable since it’s likely to rupture again.

Beautiful three-year-old Siamese cat Bluebell is rushed to Fitzpatricks as an emergency by Mark and Julia after being hit by a car. The team elect for immediate surgery to relieve Bluebell’s distress, repair her severely fractured pelvis and establish the extent of damage to one of her back legs - which Noel suspects may involve possible nerve damage too.

Valerie has brought her beloved ten-and-a-half-year-old Golden Retriever Henry to see Noel, with a view to having surgery to treat a chronically damaged disc in his spine.