Veterinary surgeon, author and broadcaster, known as "the first TV vet". Born in Clydebank, where he was educated at the High School, Straiton was keen to spend his career is sport, but was advised to attend Glasgow Veterinary College where he met James Wight, better known as James Herriot (1916-95). Becoming lifelong friends, the pair first joined a Yorkshire veterinary practice, before Straiton moved on setting up on his own account in Stafford. In 1962 he built the first veterinary hospital in Britain, which specialised in the treatment of large (farm) animals. By that time he was a regular broadcaster on radio, with contributions to programmes such as Farming Today on BBC Radio 4 and the Jimmy Young Show on BBC Radio 2. Straiton persuaded his friend Herriot to publish his novels and became veterinary advisor to the hugely successful BBC-television series based on them, All Creatures Great and Small.
Straiton was a prodigious author, his works including the TV Vet Book Series, comprising, Cattle Ailments: Recognition and Treatment, which reached ten editions, Horse and Pony Ailments, Sheep Ailments, Pig Ailments and Dog Ailments, as well as Cats: Their Health and Care, The Horse Owner's Vet Book and Calving the Cow and Care of the Calf. Straiton was a generous benefactor to the local community.
Awarded an OBE in 1998 for services to agriculture and the veterinary profession, Straiton died at his home near Stone (Staffordshire). E C Straiton & Partners remains one of Staffordshire¿s largest and most well-respected veterinary practices.
