Siegfried, James and Tristan all cope characteristically with the final threat to the harmony of Skeldale House.

It's bad enough when a dog loses its sight, but the vets have the difficult job of breaking the news to its owner.

A visit to Lord Hulton's place provides James with a surprise glimpse of how the other half lives, while a routine task leads to a shattering event.

The difficulties of being a vet are multiplied when there is an outbreak of poisoning in the district. Siegfried takes it upon himself to find the poisoner and stop the slaughter.

As the dog track vet in Hensfield, James upsets the greyhound owners by his conscientiousness and discovers that too much professionalism can be a dangerous thing.

The outbreak of war seems far away when Siegfried discovers a local outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Mr Duggleby's.

James and Siegfried take a privileged look at progress, while Tristan, to his dismay, becomes regarded by Darrowby clients as the best vet in the business.

The vets' evening plans come surprisingly unstuck when Miss Westerman's dog Hamish wanders off while coming round from an operation.

James and Helen decide to celebrate their anniversary, Tristan wants to take his new girlfriend out and Siegfried wishes to date Mrs Egerton - all on the same evening.

Wesley Binks is the bane of Darrowby with petty thieving, but when his dog contracts distemper he turns over a new leaf and resolves to work hard to pay for treatment.

Roddy Travers, an itinerant workman, comes to Skeldale with his dog for an emergency operation, and deeply impresses James with his way of life.

Mrs Pumphrey calls James out urgently to treat Cedric, a boxer she has bought to keep Tricki Woo company. Unfortunately, Cedric is ruining her social life.

The practise begins to use new tablets, but their cost leads Siegfried to decide to limit their use. James and Helen adopt a cat.

An outbreak of louping ill on the grouse moors is traced, but Murray's help in clearing the land cannot be counted upon.