What are the signs that my pet might need a pacemaker?
Most animals that require a pacemaker have clinical signs of exercise intolerance, such as heavy breathing at rest, chronic lack of energy (“laziness”), collapsing or fainting episodes due to their very slow heart rate. Many pets that require a pacemaker are older. Often, owners may attribute slowing down to aging, when in fact, it is due to a slow heart rate.
Why would my pet need a pacemaker?
Normally, your pet’s body sends an electrical charge to stimulate the chambers of the heart to contract and pump blood through the body. Heart block and Sick Sinus Syndrome are examples of abnormalities of this electrical charge, which cause a very slow heart rate. With a constant slow heart rate, the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to your pet’s body during normal activity or exercise. As a result your pet may have a chronic lack of energy or may experience episodes of collapse. Without pacemaker implantation, the clinical signs may persist or worsen.
Occasionally, the heart will stop beating, resulting in sudden death.
Is this a traumatic procedure?
No. Installing a pacemaker requires just 2 incisions into the animal's neck. This is a common procedure that is surprisingly minimally invasive, given the fact that it is a heart procedure. The procedure is very rewarding because it offers immediate gratification- the pet can live a normal and healthy life after the recovery period.
Is this an uncommon procedure?
Pacemaker implantation in dogs and cats is not as uncommon as you might think! Hundreds of pacemakers are implanted on a yearly basis in pets in the U.S. by veterinary cardiologists. In fact complete heart block is one of the diseases which people and animals share, therefore the technology is available for us to utilize for our pets.
How long has this technology been available for our pets?
The first pacemaker implantation in a dog was performed in 1968, (less than ten years after the first pacemaker was implanted in a person) by veterinary cardiologist Dr. Buchanan at UPenn.
Will my pet require special care after pacemaker implantation?
Your pet will be sent home with a neck wrap to keep the incisions clean and dry. The neck wrap will need to be kept dry and will need to be changed every couple of days. The sutures need to be removed in 10-14 days at which point the neck wrap will be removed as well. Your pet’s activity needs to be restricted for at least 30 days. Dogs should only be taken outside on a leash to eliminate. Your pet will not allowed to roughhouse or play excessively for 6-8 weeks to minimize the chance of pacemaker lead dislodgement (this mandatory quiet time is the hardest part of the recovery period). A harness should be used instead of a collar to walk your dog to prevent unnecessary pulling on the pacemaker generator or pacing leads. Your pet will need to be rechecked after 2 months, 6 months and 1 year to evaluate pacemaker function and battery life. Rechecks only occur once a year after that.
Does my pet need a special diet?
No, a special diet is not required following pacemaker implantation.
Does my pet need to be on medication for the rest of its life after pacemaker implantation?
No, no medication is required beyond the normal course of antibiotics that any animal is prescribed after implant surgery.
What exactly is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker consists of a pulse generator and pacing leads. A pulse generator is a small metal case (about the size of a silver dollar) that contains a computer and a battery. The pacemaker continually monitors the heart and sends an electrical impulse to pace the heart when the heart’s own rhythm is too slow or irregular. The pacing leads are small, insulated wires that carry the electrical impulses from the pacemaker to the heart. The pacemaker and the pacing leads work together to treat bradycardia by increasing the heart rate to meet the oxygen needs of the body.
How is a pacemaker placed?
The pacemaker is typically placed through the jugular vein in the right side of the neck. Rarely, the pacemaker may be placed through the diaphragm in the abdomen. Some dogs may have one pacing lead, while others will have multiple pacing leads, depending on the heart problem and the size of the patient. The decision on the type of pacemaker and number of pacing leads will be decided by the veterinarian caring for your pet. Prior to anesthesia, a temporary pacemaker will be placed under sedation in order to increase your pet’s heart rate during anesthesia for permanent pacemaker implantation.
Is it hard to care for an animal with a pacemaker?
The pacemaker needs to be checked 3 times the first year, and then once per year after that for the rest of the animal’s life. The most difficult aspect of the post-surgical recovery is that the animal needs to be kept calm for 6 to 8 weeks while the leads of the pacemaker permanently adhere to the heart. Jumping and running can dislodge the leads from the heart, so these activities need to be completely restricted for 2 months after the pacemaker is implanted.
What is the long-term prognosis for a dog with a pacemaker?
The long-term prognosis is excellent. Without complication, the animal will have a normal life span.
What things should pets with pacemakers avoid?
Pets with pacemakers cannot have MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and should avoid metal detectors, and strong electrical or magnetic fields from any source (i.e. power plants, junk yards). If your pet has a pacemaker and requires advanced imaging, such as an MRI or a CT (computed tomography) scan, it is important to notify the cardiologist service right away. In addition, cell phones should be kept a least a minimum of 6 inches away from the pacemaker generator at all times to avoid interference (even when the phone is turned off).
- Dr. Mandi Kleman, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
- Stephanie Phillips, BA, A.A.S, LVT (Critical Care)
