UAE Clinic Offers Life-Saving Open-Heart Surgery for Dogs

A nine-year-old Havanese dog from Dubai called Buddy is full of beans after an open-heart op in Abu Dhabi. In the beginning of this year, Buddy was diagnosed for mitral valve disease, a condition that reduces ones life span drastically. Owing to the modern technique done at the British Veterinary Centre, Buddy now has the new lease of the life that makes his family happy.

The surgery was performed by Dr Katsuhiro Matsuura, a clinical Assistant professor from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, who and his team came to the UAE for the single purpose of performing this operation. Buddy is one of only three dogs ever to receive this operation; all three were recommended for the Abu Dhabi clinic by other Middle veterinary practices, including Umm Suqeim Veterinary Centre in Dubai.

Mitral Valve Disease: A Not uncommon but fatal disease
Mitral valve disease which occurs mainly in toy breeds is caused by the degenerative change of the valve separating the left atria from the left ventricle of the heart. In the long run, this causes heart failure and the common signs it includes, such as tiredness and breathing troubles. The founder and director of the British Veterinary Centre Dr. Martin Wyness expressed the opinion saying that although it is true that through medication the disease can be brought under control, the mucosal disease will progress.

‘The surgery is what actually remedies the situation,’ said Dr. Wyness. >After being treated this way, dogs may not necessarily need much in the way of medicine in future.

Cautious Surgery with Miraculous Consequences
The surgery that takes more than four hours includes halting the dog’s heartbeat, buckling the valve, and rewiring the strings that govern it. Because of the level of invasiveness, the surgery should be performed by a qualified team, and a number of specialized instruments must be used, and; adequate post-surgical care should further be provided. It was equally important to have a successful working relationship with the Small Animal Blood Bank in Dubai that the British Veterinary Centre was a partner with.

From a points of view of pet owners, this is a welcome development that they do not have to go to another country for such a crucial surgery. After surgery Buddy is “full of bounce and life” and the parents remind themselves how lucky they are to witness the boys playing together once again knowing how even a small damage like twisted paw can change the child’s life.