Peter Wright used Artificial Intelligence for the first time in his 45-year career during the latest episode of The Yorkshire Vet, helping to confirm that a dog's lump was benign.
The Channel 5 programme returned to screens on Thursday (September 10) for another instalment in its 23rd season. During the episode, Rohin Aojula rushed to Cannon Hall Farm to assist brothers Rob and Dave Nicholson with an urgent situation.
"I've just had a call from Rob, and he's very worried right now. He's got a calf that's only just been born and looks to be really struggling," Rohin explained. At the farm, Beryl the cow had delivered a sizeable bull calf that was "nearly lifeless" when it arrived.
Julian Norton attends to sheep
Additionally, Julian Norton attended to a pair of sheep requiring castration so they could fulfil their role at a local educational farm for youngsters. Meanwhile, a devastated newlywed travelled 60 miles seeking a second opinion regarding his spaniel Lily's prognosis.
A month after his nuptials, Rob visited his family friend, Peter Wright, at the surgery in Kirkbymoorside. After discovering a lump on his dog's chest, Rob's local vet performed a biopsy on Lily and informed him that she had cancer.
"They've quoted us £7,000 for the operation, so we've come here for a second opinion," Rob added. The anxious owner continued: "I'm worried, I'm stressed, not sleeping. She's my favourite thing in the world. She was my ring bearer at my wedding and did a great job, didn't you, kid?"
AI used to identify growth
Following his examination of Lily, Peter discovered that the letter from Rob's local veterinary practice failed to specify the type of cancer affecting the dog and whether it was benign or malignant. Making history on the show, the experienced vet therefore opted to employ Artificial Intelligence for the first time in his 45-year career to identify the nature of the growth.
"We have a piece of equipment here which is very modern, a lot more modern than I am! With the use of Artificial Intelligence, we can take a sample, and I can get a result back with AI within minutes. So, it means that if it's surgically removable, we can just get on and do it," Peter explained.
Peter recognised that Lily was a "much-loved" pet, prompting him to swiftly take her into an examination room to extract a small sample from the lump on her chest. The vet admitted: "I'll be using Artificial Intelligence. I've not used it before, but I know a nurse that has". Peter received assistance from nurse Rachel as they worked through the unfamiliar technology.
Benign lump confirmed
As he stepped into the "brave new world" of AI, Peter said: "This little machine here is worth its weight in gold. It gives the vet almost an instant answer as to what's going on and how [we] need to proceed. And it allows me to speak to the owner, because for them, with their own animal, it's horrible having to wait for results."
The AI's rapid analysis of Lily's sample enabled a clinical pathologist to review the findings swiftly. Peter subsequently invited Rob back into his consultation room, where he delivered some happy news. Following the cancer fears, Peter confirmed that Rob had "nothing to worry about". The lump, Peter explained, was entirely benign, comprising keratin and was most likely the result of an ingrown hair.
"This isn't cancer. This has been confirmed all within an hour-and-a-half or so of us taking the sample, which is a fantastic thing really," Peter concluded. "Rob is really relieved that the news was good. Nevertheless, he still wants this abnormal tissue to be removed, which we're going to do." The Yorkshire Vet is available to stream on 5.
