Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton Shares Unbelievable Tales From His Clinic: Dogs, Drama, and Unexpected Finds"

When it comes to pets, most owners will agree—they can get themselves into the strangest situations. From chewing up your slippers to barking at the postman, they're full of surprises. But for Julian Norton, star of The Yorkshire Vet, the surprises are on another level. Let’s just say, if you’ve ever worried about what your dog might swallow when you’re not looking, you’re not alone.

Recently, Julian shared some hilariously awkward and downright shocking stories from his career, including one that left him wondering if he’d accidentally caused a marriage crisis.

When a dog swallows more than its pride

Julian, who’s been a vet for years and rose to fame in 2015 on Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet, has dealt with pets eating all sorts of things. We're talking about everything from socks to moles (yes, the garden-dwelling kind). But one case really stuck with him—and not just because of the health concerns for the dog involved.

In an interview with Woman’s Weekly, Julian recounted the time he treated a Labrador who had swallowed something... personal. After carefully removing the item, which turned out to be a pair of lacy women’s underpants, he handed it back to the dog's grateful owners. That relief was short-lived, though, when the wife turned to her husband and said, “They’re not mine.”

Cue an incredibly awkward silence. The couple quickly left the clinic, but Julian admitted that he couldn’t help worrying about what happened next. “There was a big commotion,” he said, adding that while the dog was fine, the marriage might have been another story.

It’s not all drama—But it’s definitely unpredictable

For Julian, odd cases like this are just part of the job. He’s also had his fair share of nail-biting moments, like when a puppy swallowed an entire bag of party poppers. You’d think that sounds kind of funny, right? Well, not when you’re the one responsible for ensuring that the poor thing doesn’t end up with an intestinal blockage—or worse, a literal explosion. Thankfully, the dog made it through with no harm done, though Julian later discovered fragments of party poppers showing up in its poo. Talk about a party gone wrong!

And it’s not just foreign objects that leave pet owners anxious. In one case, a dog that ate a mole (yes, a whole mole!) left its owner convinced the critter was somehow going to tunnel its way out of her poor pet’s stomach. Julian explained to her, very carefully, that wasn’t how digestion works. But hey, when emotions run high, it’s easy to see how people might jump to some wild conclusions.

Handling owners is sometimes harder than treating pets

While most people appreciate Julian’s honesty and sense of humour, he knows he has to tread carefully when delivering certain news. After all, when pets are involved, people’s emotions can go from zero to a hundred in no time. And if there’s even a hint that negligence might be to blame, things can get heated fast.

For example, Julian often has to clean and return swallowed items to owners for “evidential purposes.” That’s basically a polite way of saying,

“We found this inside your dog—maybe keep it out of their reach next time.”

While most people laugh it off (eventually), there’s always the chance it could lead to tension, as with the infamous underwear incident.

From vets to TV stars

Julian’s career isn’t all about quirky tales and awkward encounters. Since starring in The Yorkshire Vet in 2015, he’s become something of a local celebrity, known not just for his veterinary skills but also for his warm and relatable personality. Fans have followed his adventures from the clinic to his appearances on other programmes, like Our Great Yorkshire Life. But at the heart of it all, he’s still just a vet who loves animals and is dedicated to keeping them healthy, no matter what weird objects they’ve swallowed.

A lesson for pet owners everywhere

If there’s one takeaway from Julian’s experiences, it’s this: dogs will eat anything. Seriously. If it’s on the floor, or even just vaguely within reach, there’s a good chance it’s going in their mouths. So, if you’ve got a pup at home, it’s probably a good idea to double-check where you’re leaving your socks, underwear, or party supplies.

And if your furry friend does manage to eat something they shouldn’t? Don’t panic. As Julian has shown time and again, vets have seen it all—and they’re there to help. Just be ready for a bit of embarrassment if the item in question has a story attached to it.

So, next time your dog does something a bit daft, spare a thought for Julian Norton. He’s probably got a story ten times stranger than yours. And who knows? Maybe it’ll make the next episode of The Yorkshire Vet!