Los Angeles Veterinarian Office

Is a Pacemaker Right for Your Dog?

The Difficulties of Old Age

One of the hardest things about owning a pet is watching a beloved part of the family grow old and become weak or disabled. Fortunately, modern technology is making life a little easier all the time. It cannot reverse the process of aging, of course, but it can ease any pain our pets may experience and prolong their lives.

Pacemakers: A Lifesaving Technology

Pacemakers were originally designed for humans to correct problems such as sinus node dysfunction or heart block. These conditions are problems with the nerve centers that control the heart. In sinus node dysfunction, an abnormality in the electrical signal that tells the heart to beat causes a dangerously slow heart rate, known as bradycardia. In heart block, the electrical message reaches the top chambers of the heart, but not the bottom.

The first fully implantable pacemaker for humans was designed in Sweden in 1958. Since then medical advances have made these ingenious medical devices safer, cheaper, longer lasting, and more effective. An estimated one million Americans are currently using pacemakers today.

Dogs with Pacemakers

As technology has paved the way for smaller and less expensive pacemakers, the benefits of these important devices has begun to trickle down to an unexpected demographic: pet dogs. Dogs suffer from many of the same heart conditions as humans, and pacemakers can correct those problems just as well in canines as they do in our species.

The average dog candidate for a pacemaker is around 9 years old. Other than his heart condition, he should be in relatively good health. The device can extend the life of an older dog for 3 to 5 years. Sometimes younger dogs are given pacemakers to correct genetic problems; these pets usually do very well.

If Your Dog Is Having Heart Problems

Receiving a pacemaker is no longer major surgery. It may be the best option for your dog if he is having heart problems. Contact the Los Angeles Vet Clinics for further information.