The Yorkshire Vet aired a devastating loss during a one-off episode.
The popular programme returned to Channel 5 on Thursday (May 14) for a special instalment that focused on the night shift team at Huddersfield vets.
Among the cases was a spaniel with a severe injury, who was rushed in following a freak accident during a woodland walk, and a temperamental fighting cat that was brought in after his latest nocturnal brawl.
Additionally, farm vet David received an urgent call-out to assist with a lambing at farmer Raye’s property. “I believe she’s managed to deliver one lamb, but there’s at least another lamb in there that’s stuck on the way out,” David explained.
“She’s an experienced farmer, so it must be a pretty tricky problem, and it really means the clock is ticking for the second lamb,” reports Yorkshire Live.
View 3 ImagesFarm vet David was called out to a lambing(Image: Channel 5)
Upon arrival at the farm, Raye said, “So, we left her for an hour – nothing happened. Then we went in, and I could only get two fingers-ish in her cervix. Managed to pull the first one out. She’s expecting triplets, so we know that there are two more in there. Hopefully it’ll be okay.”
Following an initial examination, David discovered that one of the unborn lambs was positioned awkwardly to the side, more than two hours after the first lamb’s delivery.
David needed to push the lamb’s front legs back to create more room, as they were obstructing the birth canal. He then manoeuvred the head into the correct position, but couldn’t detect any movement from the lamb.
The first of the two remaining lambs to arrive came into the world healthy and strong, but tragically, the breached lamb did not make it.
“Sorry, guys. It is a bit bigger, isn’t it?” David said, with a downhearted Raye responding: “Poor girl.”
View 3 ImagesOne of the lambs sadly didn’t survive(Image: Channel 5)
She continued: “[I’m] a bit sad. Obviously, when you lose anything, you know that we’ve lost one of the triplets, but I’m glad that the other two are fine.”
After carrying out a final check on the ewe, David got ready to head home for a much-needed shower.
“I’d say that’s a really good result in the end. We’ve got two live lambs out of a really tricky lambing. It was worth keeping me from my bed for that,” he reflected. “Still got the rest of the night, but the plan now is to get to bed.”
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Opening up about the gruelling nature of night shifts, the vet went on to share: “You never really get used to it. You do adapt, but getting called out of the house or out of bed is a big tax on your lifestyle and your sleep. But emergencies can happen at any time. Farming’s a 24/7 gig and so is being a vet, I’m afraid.”
The Yorkshire Vet: Night Shift is available to stream on Channel 5