Ep 1. Big Animal Vet

In Dirty Jobs season 4 episode 1, titled "Big Animal Vet," host Mike Rowe gets up close and personal with some of the largest animals in the world. As a big animal vet, Rowe visits farms and ranches in rural America where he assists in everything from diagnosing sick cows to performing surgeries on horses.

The episode starts with Rowe's arrival at a beef farm where he meets Dr. Rachel Endecott, a large animal veterinarian who is responsible for the health and well-being of the farm's many cows. Dr. Endecott takes Rowe on a tour of the farm, pointing out the various health issues that can affect the cows and the steps that are taken to keep them healthy.

Rowe then accompanies Dr. Endecott on a farm call to check on a cow that is having trouble giving birth. The cow is in distress and the veterinarian must act quickly to save both the cow and the calf. Rowe observes as Dr. Endecott performs a C-section on the cow, successfully delivering the calf.

Next, Rowe travels to a ranch where he meets Dr. Cody Creelman, a large animal vet who primarily works with horses. Dr. Creelman takes Rowe on a tour of the ranch, introducing him to some of the horses and explaining the various health issues that can affect them.

Rowe then assists Dr. Creelman as he performs an emergency surgery on a horse that has been injured. The surgery is tricky and requires delicate handling, but Dr. Creelman is able to successfully repair the horse's leg with Rowe's help.

The final segment of the episode takes place at a dairy farm, where Rowe meets up with Dr. Dean Wang, another large animal vet. Dr. Wang shows Rowe around the farm, explaining the various health issues that can affect dairy cows and the steps that are taken to ensure their health and safety.

Rowe then accompanies Dr. Wang on a call to check on a cow that is suffering from an infection. Dr. Wang diagnoses the problem and administers antibiotics to the cow, which will help her fight off the infection and recover. Rowe observes as Dr. Wang explains the importance of diagnosing and treating health issues early on to prevent them from becoming more serious.

Throughout the episode, Rowe expresses admiration and respect for the work of the veterinarians he meets. He notes the challenging nature of working with large, unpredictable animals and the importance of their work in supporting the agricultural industry.

Overall, "Big Animal Vet" is a fascinating episode that provides a unique look at the world of large animal veterinary medicine. Rowe's engaging personality and the expertise of the veterinarians he works with make for an entertaining and informative viewing experience.