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Pacemakers For Dogs


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Oh what a lovely couple of weeks we have had. My sweet bully girl ruptured her cruciate ligament last week. She was due for surgery this week. While she was under anaesthetic her heart rate dropped dangerously low so they ceased the surgery (thankfully before any cutting had started).

We went off to see her cardiologist who has said her heart now beats too slow and she will require a pacemaker. He said she should live a normal life, with surgery to replace the battery every 5 years or so (she is 15 months old). She was previous diagnosed with an arrhythmia (sinus arrest) but it had improved since being diagnosed shortly after we got her, we were ven advised it was very likely she'd grow out of it.

The cardiologist was shocked to hear about what had happened and to find what he did on her recent visit.

I was just wondering if any has had a dog who has had one? How did they go? Any advice?

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I think if a young dog has the problems you have outlined above, then its system is not hardy and robust to begin with. The dog has a life of regular vet treatments and I really think you are pushing the proverbial uphill and trying to sustain something that inherently cannot sustain itself.

I would love and care for the dog and do the best you can for it, but I would not put the dog through a pace maker operation and then intermittent battery changes, as each time that operation puts strain on a system that was born compromised.

Instead of fighting the dog's situation with nature I think the dogs overall life would be better if you accepted its condition and let it live its life.

Edited by lilli
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There was a minibull in the USA that had a pacemaker.He got a good few years of life from it.His death was from a non heart related issue.Maybe try posting on one of the USA bullie/mini forums for more infomation.

Good luck with her.You must be very worried about her and she is such a young dog.

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Sorry to hear about your dog. The biggest problem might be finding someone in this country who can do the op. Although I did find this articleabout a dog who had this performed this year. Unfortunately I doesn't name the vet who did it, but maybe it could help lead you to someone who can help.

Oh, found another one here that may provide a lead as well.

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Thanks for all your info- some great and reassuring articles. I will try to post on another bull terrier forum. We have a great cardiologist who would be willing to do the surgery. In fact, he suggested it to give her a normal life. He said the surgery to replace the battery is quite a simple procedure that wouldn't put too much stress on her system. He has also confirmed her heart valves & muscles are perfectly normal- it's just a slower than normal resting heart rate. She has no problems when she is active, just if she is very relaxed/sedated/anaesthetised.

Edited by Scarlett Dog
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80bpm- this was at the vets with lots of people & dogs, where you would expect her heart rate to be faster given how exciting it is. During the surgery it dropped to 33bpm and only went up to 50bpm after atropine. The tests by the cardiologist showed sometimes it went back to normal (about 110) but it is not always responsive. He said it's slow, but fine for now.

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hmmmmm that is interesting because to me that in possibly on the higher end for my dogs. Both my dogs RHR are around 40 and during my boy's endurance trial his heart rate was around 80.

At the vets it is always below 80 and Rommi gets excited because she wants to kiss everyone and Lewis gets a bit stressed, so that is higher than normal.

If they both were not like that then I would be worried but they are both around the same and I just always get the comment - oh these dogs must be pretty fit. They are but not super athletes or anything.

I am told being sighthounds means they are a bit different but pretty much all the other Whippet owners who have checked their dogs for me are around 55 to 60.

Oh the RHR I have take is when they are laying on the lounge next to me REALLY relaxed :D

Have you had any issues with her as far as exercise tolerance or heat sensitivity?

Edited by OSoSwift
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hmmmmm that is interesting because to me that in possibly on the higher end for my dogs. Both my dogs RHR are around 40 and during my boy's endurance trial his heart rate was around 80.

At the vets it is always below 80 and Rommi gets excited because she wants to kiss everyone and Lewis gets a bit stressed, so that is higher than normal.

If they both were not like that then I would be worried but they are both around the same and I just always get the comment - oh these dogs must be pretty fit. They are but not super athletes or anything.

I am told being sighthounds means they are a bit different but pretty much all the other Whippet owners who have checked their dogs for me are around 55 to 60.

Oh the RHR I have take is when they are laying on the lounge next to me REALLY relaxed :D

Have you had any issues with her as far as exercise tolerance or heat sensitivity?

My girl is a pretty chilled out girl, super relaxed at the vets. I think for her breed it's considered low though. According to the cardiologist most sits sit anywhere between 60 & 160- which is why he said it was 'fine' for now. It's at the low end. It could be it is low but she is comfortable at the vets? She has been very heavily socialised.I believe it was lover than it was 6 months ago, which may be the concern. No issues with heat sensitivity (apart for bullies not loving the heat) or exercise as it's only an issue when she is relaxed. When she is active her heart beats exactly as it should (rate & rhythm wise)

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We know someone with a 4yr old Std Poodle that has had a pacemaker fitted. The dog was collapsing during exercise and was found to have episodes of bradycardia(slow heartrate). Treatment was done at the Southern Animal Emergency centre in Melbourne. They used an out of date human pacemaker, cost was around $10,000.

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From what I understand, the bigger the dog the slower the resting heart rate. I think 60 for a large dog is normal but for a medium dog like a bull terrier it should be up around 80. Again, it depends on the age and fitness of the animal.

Because it doesn't happen when she is exercising it shouldn't be as complex when the time comes for a pacemaker. I hear the actual pacemakers cost $5000 and upwards, then add your other fees on top. Her temporary one is costing $1500, and that's only for a day. Good thing we love her so much. I have read a few stories of dogs who have lived a normal life. Personally, I think its worth a shot when the time comes

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