PULLMAN, Wash. – Carter, a Maltese puppy, was the first dog to undergo a new procedure at Washington State University, providing safer options for pet owners.
The procedure, specifically designed for small dogs weighing under 6 pounds, made Carter a perfect candidate. It aims to help dogs diagnosed with a common and deadly congenital heart defect called PDA.
A typical procedure for a dog like Carter would require an open chest approach, but with new technology, WSU was able to use a catheter through an artery in the leg and guide it to the heart.
The method is far less invasive and less painful for the dog, which helps with their overall recovery.
Carter, weighing in at just 4.5 pounds, made him the ideal dog for this procedure, and he was back home with his family after just 24 hours.
“The day after his surgery, Carter was already brighter and more active than before. This procedure will allow him to live a normal, happy life,” said Dr. Anna Golden, a cardiology resident in WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
