Tricky was tottering slowly in the house. He was not eating anything, not even his favourite dishes and besides, he had bouts of vomiting. Dr Herriot was sure that if his food was not cut down and more exercise was not given to him, he would be really ill soon.

Answer:

Dr. Herriot was confident that Tricky would be in the hospital soon because of the following reasons:

1. Tricky's condition:

Tricky was suffering from a severe case of bloat, a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and fluid, causing it to expand rapidly. This condition requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

2. Dr. Herriot's experience:

Dr. Herriot was an experienced veterinarian who had dealt with similar cases in the past. He knew that Tricky's condition required urgent medical attention and that he needed to be hospitalized.

3. Tricky's owner's concern:

Tricky's owner was very concerned about his pet's condition and was willing to do whatever it takes to get him treated. He had already called Dr. Herriot and was waiting for him to arrive.

4. Availability of hospital facilities:

Dr. Herriot knew that there were well-equipped animal hospitals in the area that could provide the necessary treatment to Tricky. He was confident that he could get Tricky admitted to one of these hospitals and get him treated.

In conclusion, Dr. Herriot's confidence that Tricky would be in the hospital soon was based on his experience, Tricky's condition, the concern of his owner, and the availability of hospital facilities in the area.