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Heart Surgery Success!
4th February 2012
'Bisto' the minature dachshund cross jack russell terrier came into Chaseview Veterinary Clinic for a health check and vaccination at 8 weeks old weighing just 1.2 kg. He was found to be small for his age and had a very loud continuous heart murmur. A heart murmur occurs when there is abnormal blood flow in the heart. His murmur was caused by a PDA (patent ductus arteriosus). A ductus arteriosus is an artery that is present in the heart of a foetus before it is born, directing blood away from the lungs. During this life stage the lungs are not functional therefore do not require the blood supply. When the puppy is born the artery should close down and seal immediately because it is then the lungs become functional on the first breath and need the blood supply. In Bisto's case this didn't happen and the artery remained open. The effect of this is very dramatic and extremely serious. Bisto would have gone into heart failure very soon and died at a very young age.
The only treatment is surgery. This surgery is normally done by a specialist cardiac surgeon, not in general practice and we would normally recommend referral. However, in this case referral was not an option. Bisto's prognosis was hopeless without surgery so we decided in consultation with the owner's Steve and Sally Williams to attempt it. Veterinary Surgeons Kate Kerry and Anna Martin were confident that they would not compromise the welfare of the puppy by attempting it and without it he would die very soon.
Anna Martin diagnosed the condition and Kate Kerry performed the surgery assisted by Anna. The surgery involves opening the chest, dissect the vessel and seal it off by passing two ligatures. The surgery is very delicate and extremely high risk. The risk is rupture of the vessel and fatal bleeding during surgery and this complication occurs to even the most experienced of cardiac surgeons. At the same time nurses are on hand monitoring anaesthesia and also providing artificial ventilation for the puppy which you have to do when the chest is opened up.
The surgery proved to be a great success. The murmur stopped as soon as the ligatures where tied. Bisto's first response when he awoke from the anaesthetic was to wag his tail. His heart function has become normal and he is recovering very well. In the first 3 days post operation he has already gained 250g in body weight. In himself he is behaving as if nothing has happened and is a very happy waggy puppy.
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04/02/2012
'Bisto' an 8 week old dachshund cross jack russell terrier required life saving surgery.........
