Life-saving heart surgery for dogs now available in Bristol

Pet owners in the Southwest now have access to a revolutionary new heart surgery for dogs that could add years to their lives.

Local animal hospital Bristol Vet Specialists (BVS) has become one of the first centres in Europe to offer Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) – a cutting-edge procedure giving hope to thousands of dogs with advanced mitral valve disease (MVD).

MVD is the most common heart condition in dogs, making up around 75% of all canine cardiac cases. For many small breeds, the disease eventually leads to severe heart failure, leaving owners heartbroken as their pets struggle to breathe and tire easily. Since September, the referral hospital has operated on dogs from across the country, from Belfast to Colchester, and has lined up assessments for dogs from as far away as Turkey.

Once heart failure sets in, most dogs survive less than a year, and only around 1 in 7 dogs survive past two years. Until now, the only surgical option was open-heart surgery – a major operation involving stopping the heart, using a heart-lung machine and weeks of recovery. Though effective, it is associated with significant risk and high cost, and is simply not possible for many families, even those with pet insurance.

The groundbreaking TEER technique is performed on a beating heart, using a specialised “V-Clamp” device, that brings the mitral valve leaflets together, reducing leakage and easing strain on the heart. Guided by real-time 3D imaging, the procedure requires a relatively small surgical incision, and offers a lower risk and faster recovery than open-heart surgery.

Dogs treated with TEER are usually home within 48-hours and back to gentle walks within a day. The results of this procedure have been remarkable: 95% of dogs leave hospital successfully, and 80% are still thriving two years later – even those already showing signs of heart failure. Many dogs have reduced medication needs afterwards, and some can stop heart-failure treatment completely.

Kieran Borgeat, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology at BVS, said: “This is a game-changer for dogs with heart disease. Open-heart surgery will always be the gold standard but it’s not an option for every pet. TEER offers a less-invasive, lower risk, more affordable alternative that can dramatically improve quality of life for dogs. Working alongside our specialists vets in anaesthesia, surgery and critical care, we’ve already seen incredible results, and believe this will transform care for dogs with advanced heart disease.”

The TEER programme at BVS is supported by leading surgeons from Europe and Asia during its first year, alongside collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College. Every case will benefit from this world-class expertise and rigorous clinical oversight.

Owners who think their dog might benefit should speak to their vet. Veterinary professionals can refer patients directly or submit existing heart scans for review. The BVS cardiology team responds within one to two working days and supports owners through every step of the process.

For more details, visit www.bristolvetspecialists.co.uk 

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