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Tampa, FL – Nike is a lovable ten-year-old Pug and a full-fledged member of the Muldowney family household of Land O’ Lakes. He’s also the recipient of a brand new pacemaker. His family says it’s given him a new lease on life and it’s the best Valentine’s Day gift they could have asked for.
“It was only a month ago Nike had trouble breathing and just getting around. He always had problems with his heart, but this time we knew he was actually suffering. Because he’s a real member of our family, there’s nothing we wouldn’t have done to make him better if we could,” says pet parent Debbie Muldowney.
Referring Veterinarian Dr. Deborah L. Sullivan of the Suncoast Veterinary Care Center in Lutz knew by examining Nike he was a heart patient with a life-threatening condition. Nike’s heart was failing and he didn’t have much time.
Nike Muldowney After His Surgery
“Dr. Sullivan immediately referred our case to Florida Veterinary Specialists, where he’d be seen by Dr. Alan Spier, a board certified veterinary cardiologist and Dr. Nicole Piscitelli, an associate veterinarian,” adds Debbie. “During that visit, Dr. Spier gave us two options; we could either take Nike home and let him live out the rest of his life, which wouldn’t be very long, or we could have a pacemaker placed in his heart. Shocked, I remember saying ‘A pacemaker for a dog!?’ I was so surprised, but I said ‘He’s all yours, let’s do it!’”
The surgery was a success. After a brief recovery, Nike’s family says he is enjoying life to the fullest every day. For the first time in years, the Muldowney family is optimistic about Nike’s future.
“Nike is a great example of how successful pacemakers in pets can be,” adds veterinary cardiologist Spier. “Since we put in Nike’s pacemaker, he’s doing great and his prognosis is good.”
It is estimated that over 300-400 dogs receive pacemakers every year for applicable heart conditions, even though about 4000 dogs are in need. “Placing pacemakers in pets isn’t a new idea, by any means, but it’s becoming more and more routinely done in veterinary medicine today,” states Dr. Spier. “It’s just another amazing example of how the gap between human and veterinary medicine is closing.”
This Valentine’s Day, Debbie Muldowney and her family will celebrate the second chance Nike’s been given as a result of this successful surgery. “There isn’t a day that goes by I’m not thankful to Dr. Spier, Dr. Piscitelli and Dr. Sullivan for saving Nike’s life,” says Debbie. “Nike is the happiest and healthiest he’s literally ever been and it’s the best present we could have asked for!”
Media Opportunities: FVS’s Dr. Alan Spier, Nike Muldowney and pet parent Debbie Muldowney are available for interviews. Contact Julie Robbins at Julie@fetchingcommunications.com / 813-412-3354 for more information.
About Florida Veterinary Specialists:
Opened in 1996, Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center was founded with the concept of providing a superior level of patient and client care through close cooperation with the family practitioner. In addition to referral appointments, the hospital is open 24 hours a day for case transfers by the family practitioner and after-hours emergencies. Florida Veterinary Specialists serves as an extension of the general practice. Their specialized services include Acupuncture, Avian & Exotic, Behavioral Medicine, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal medicine, Neurology, Oncology/Radiation, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Rehabilitation, and Surgery. Florida Veterinary Specialists is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is located at 3000 Busch Lake Blvd. in Tampa. For further information, please visit www.fvs.com.
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