Current and new methods for treating pets suffering from heart disease were the focal point of a series of lectures by Professor Sydney Mo?se, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Section of Cardiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, during a three-day seminar on veterinary cardiology held recently at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) .

Professor Mo?se discussed how a pacemaker could be placed inside a dog with minimally invasive surgery, a procedure that is common in the US and Europe but new to veterinarians working in Hong Kong. She also joined forces with veterinary specialists at Peace Avenue Veterinary Clinic to place the first endocardial pacemaker in a dog in Hong Kong.

Dogs suffering from bradycardia, an abnormally slow heart rate, will become weak, collapse, and risk death if the condition is not treated. The pacemaker can revitalise the animal’s heart function and adjust the heartbeat to a normal rhythm. The technique utilises a less invasive technique than that used in previously performed surgeries. The result is a shortened recovery time from the usual two weeks to only three days.

In addition, a home monitoring system connects the pacemaker to the veterinarian’s office and the manufacturer’s centre in Germany via satellite, providing real-time monitoring to facilitate treatment.

Cardiology is one of the many specialised areas in veterinary medicine. The recognition, characterisation and treatment of cardiac diseases are part of the whole process, with recognition standing in the frontline, according to Professor Mo?se.

“Certain problems may not be identified without proper knowledge and equipment,” Professor Mo?se said. In fact, during Professor Mo?se’s visit to Hong Kong, she identified six cases of patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital disorder in the heart wherein a blood vessel fails to close after birth. When caught early, this disease is treatable with a good prognosis.

The three-day seminar on 14-16 March at CityU provided local veterinarians with new knowledge and practical skills, and familiarised them with other procedures new to Hong Kong for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in pets. More than 130 veterinary practitioners attended the event, which was organised by the Peace Avenue Veterinary Clinic and sponsored by CityU.

Professor Mo?se added that Hong Kong can serve as a centre for veterinary medicine in Asia as there is a demand for quality service and well-trained, committed veterinarians.

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