British Veterinary Centre In UAE Pioneers Canine Heart Surgery

The British Veterinary Centre in Abu Dhabi has achieved a significant milestone in veterinary medicine by becoming the first facility in the MENA region to successfully perform canine mitral valve repair surgeries. This accomplishment, which took place during Spring 2024, marks a major advancement in canine cardiac care for the UAE and surrounding areas. The centre's team of distinguished veterinarians, supported by advanced equipment, led the groundbreaking effort.

Mitral valve disease is the most prevalent heart condition affecting dogs worldwide. Traditional medical management can only delay, not prevent, physical decline and eventual heart failure. Successful valve repair eliminates the need for long-term medication and allows dogs to live normal lives. As a result, The British Veterinary Centre in Abu Dhabi took on the challenge of pioneering mitral valve repair procedures for dogs in the region.

Esteemed personnel such as Prof. Katsuhiro Matsuura, DVM, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor in Open-heart Surgery at the Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, USA, and Dr. Jose Botte, Senior Veterinarian and Cardiologist at the British Veterinary Centre, Abu Dhabi, led a 7-person surgical and perfusion team. They tackled three urgent cases requiring valve repair; one patient had a life expectancy of just one month without surgery.

Each patient underwent thorough preparation before their procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass enabled stopping the heart while intricate valve repair was carried out. All three surgeries were successfully completed, with intensive post-operative care provided and excellent outcomes achieved for all patients. They are now expected to enjoy normal life spans without medication.

Dr. Martin Wyness, Senior Veterinarian and Owner of The British Veterinary Centre, commented on this historic accomplishment: "We are immensely proud to introduce this advanced and highly successful procedure to the MENA region. Very few facilities in the world are capable of performing this procedure and we can now offer a cure here in the UAE for mitral valve disease. Seeing pets stop medications and regain their energy levels is truly wonderful."