Dog Gets New Lease on Life With Pacemaker

A dog with an irregular heartbeat got a gift typically reserved for humans earlier this month.

“McGougan” was fitted with a pacemaker to correct his irregular heartbeat at Angell Animal Medical Center Dec. 5.

McGougan had been collapsing because his heart could not keep pace with his active life, according to a press statement from Angell. The 11-year-old West Highland terrier was lethargic and dispirited.

“His owners, Dana and Martha Robes of Round Pond, Maine, had already taken him to a veterinarian who diagnosed him with an abnormally slow heart rate and an arrhythmia—which caused his heart to stop beating for up to five seconds at a time,” the statement said.

A special wire was inserted into the jugular vein under McGougan’s skin and guided into his heart.  This wire was then attached to the pacemaker which, once implanted under the skin of his neck, immediately began monitoring McGougan’s heart and “pacing” it to beat in a consistent rhythm, according to the statement.

“Less than a week after his procedure McGougan is home and, according to Martha, clearly ready to return to a life of running, jumping and playing,” the statement said.