A British Labrador is the first dog in the world to undergo ground-breaking open-heart surgery to cure a life-threatening condition. Three-year-old pooch Mabel suffered from congenital tricuspid dysplasia, meaning key valves in her heart were effectively fused together. The condition meant her ventricles had just two very small holes for her blood to flow through, leading to Mabel suffering from extreme exhaustion and heart failure. She was referred to cardiology specialists at the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) Queen Mother Hospital for Animals in Hatfield, Herts. Initial examinations included cardiac ultrasound using a state-of-the-art ultrasound scanner. Professor Dan Brockman performed the six-hour operation, assisted by a large team of specialists including a perfusionist, three anaesthetists and two nurses. The lifesaving surgery on February 15 was a world-first using cutting-edge technology to reverse Mabel's heart failure.
