Spaniel Scrumpy is suffering from lameness and Noel discovers he has a collapsed disc and severe elbow arthritis. He already has a chequered medical history totalling six previous operations to his elbows, hip and knee. Meanwhile, there is an emergency admission when a 15-month-old dachshund arrives with a mystery brain condition, and Noel and his neurology colleagues have their work cut out to identify the cause. When his condition rapidly deteriorates overnight, suddenly the life of this much-loved young dog hangs in the balance