Ep 2. That Old Farm Magic

In season 1 episode 2 of Heartland Docs, DVM entitled "That Old Farm Magic," the doctors take on various difficult cases. The first case features a mare that has just given birth to a foal, but cannot seem to get up. Dr. Ben Schroeder and his wife, Dr. Erin Schroeder, as well as the rest of the staff work together to help the mare. They discover that the foal was too large and caused temporary paralysis. After a few days of working with the mare, they are able to get her up and moving again.

The next case involves a donkey named Eeyore. Eeyore has a broken front leg and is in a lot of pain. The doctors have to decide the best course of action for Eeyore, as his owners are unable to afford surgery. Dr. Erin Schroeder decides to put a cast on Eeyore's leg to help him heal and alleviate the pain. The cast is successful, but Eeyore's owners must keep a close eye on him to ensure he is not putting too much weight on the leg.

One of the more interesting cases in this episode involves a potbelly pig named Sugar. Sugar has very bad arthritis in her back legs, making it difficult for her to walk and move around. The doctors decide to try acupuncture on Sugar, which has shown to be successful in other animals with arthritis. The acupuncture works well for Sugar and makes a significant difference in her mobility.

The final case in this episode is another horse that is having trouble standing up. The doctors discover that the horse has West Nile Virus, which is a potentially fatal disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. They begin treatment for the horse, but must be careful not to stress him out too much due to the severity of the disease. Thankfully, the horse makes a full recovery and is able to stand and walk again.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the daily life of a rural veterinary practice. The doctors and staff work tirelessly to help these animals and their owners, even in the most difficult cases. Though the cases can be heartbreaking at times, the doctors find joy in seeing the animals make a full recovery and the owners' relief and happiness over their pets' improved health. The episode "That Old Farm Magic" showcases the dedication and compassion of this veterinary team as they work to help their patients.