HAGGIS the cat squirms and cries as his broken tail is checked over. He is back at White Cross Veterinary Hospital in Guiseley for a check-up after having had half his tail removed and vet Jan Harvey suspects the damage was initially caused by a car.

"It looks as though his tail was run over because his claws were also shredded. This is a sign he was in a car accident," she says as she handles him gently.

Haggis has to have the remainder of his tail bandaged because he had played with the wound and made it swell. Jan tells his owner, Bruce Pinder, this could cause further problems for him unless the cat lets the tail heal.

"He really should be wearing a collar to stop him from messing with the wound otherwise he could lose all his tail," says Jan.

Jan is one of seven vets who work for the White Cross Veterinary Group which has also has practices at Ilkley, Shipley, Baildon, and Eccleshill.

Hundreds of animals are brought to the Guiseley branch every week for treatments ranging from the basic check-ups, vaccinations and consultations to the more complicated operations.

The surgeons can have up to 12 patients per session and have to be able to adapt quickly to each animal's needs.

Head nurse Elaine Pearson explains animals are not as easy to treat as people because they can't tell you their ailments.

"We had a dog in with a fracture and she looked fine as she walked around the car park, but when she came into the surgery she slightly banged her leg and really howled. The vets really need to know what to look for," she says.

On today's rota of operations is Minty the Dwarf Lop rabbit whose front teeth have grown far too long and need to be taken out because they are causing him discomfort.

For this operation vet Ruth Beels has come over especially from the Eccleshill hospital to show Jan how to carry out the extractions.

First the rabbit is given a strong anaesthetic and made comfortable on a 'hotty' - a heated mat - as Ruth explains the treatment to Jan.

"We have to break down the periodontal ligaments which attach the teeth to the gum and this has to be done carefully so we don't break the teeth," she says.

She starts work on his bottom teeth first and says if they were left unattended they would grow up into his nose.

The process is soon over without too much blood and Ruth triumphantly removes the bottom teeth which are about two inches long - twice as long as the part exposed.

The top teeth take more work to remove but soon the operation is over and Minty is put into a comfortable bed to sleep off the anaesthetic.

"The top teeth curve round as they grow and if they weren't taken out would grow up through the roof of his mouth. This is a common problem with this kind of rabbit," says Ruth.

Next on the operating table is Jack the kitten who is in for a customary castration.

He purrs and rubs his head against the nurse's hand as his anaesthetic is prepared and is unaware of his impending operation.

After his injection he is asleep within seconds. After a few snips and cuts, and blood vessels tied, it's all over and Jack joins the other animals in their sleeping quarters.

A few operations done and morning surgery is over, but Elaine says this is a very quiet day.

"Normally we're rushing from one to the other and as soon as the morning surgery has finished we have just a short break to clean up for the afternoon," she says.

The hospital is purpose built and the vets and nurses have all the essential and up-to-date equipment at hand, including an ultrasound machine and blood testing equipment.

Tim Harrison, the group's general manager, says: "We are trying to offer the highest standard in quality care for the animals and the clients. For example with the blood testing equipment we can now have the results of a test within six minutes.

"We have invested a lot of money and the hospital has to meet certain criteria to become a hospital, such as the type of flooring etc. Also there has to be someone on call 24 hours a day and the nurses stay overnight on a rota basis to look after the animals.

"Anyone can set up a veterinary surgery but a hospital has to adhere to strict guidelines imposed and inspected by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and it is our belief that all of the clinics and hospitals in the group should be operating to that standard."

Mr Harrison is also keen on promoting the veterinary group and showing the public what goes on behind the scenes.

"We had an open day at the Eccleshill practice and in the first hour 230 people came through the doors," he says.

"Some of the Bradford Bulls players also came along and although they did help to pull in the crowds 85 per cent of those who turned up were pet owners."

The Guiseley hospital is planning an open day for this summer with the Bradford Bulls and Bull Man making an appearance. The event will include demonstrations, slide shows and mock operations on teddies.

For more information about the White Cross Veterinary Hospital, Bradford Road, Guiseley, telephone (01943) 873147.

The group is also on the internet. Its website address is http://www.vets.co.uk

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