Page 16 - Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2025
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Celebrating
20 years of the
RVC Cardiothoracic
Service
This year marks 20 years of the Thanks to your support, the specialist procedures. These specialist tools
RVC Cardiothoracic Service – tools you helped purchase are offer crystal-clear magnification,
two decades of life-saving surgery, transforming patient care and enabling surgeons to perform
pioneering techniques, and giving outcomes. One example being delicate operations with greater
pets with complex heart conditions the cardiopulmonary bypass accuracy and confidence.
a second chance at life. console and heater cooler unit, To help the team continue growing and
essential for performing open heart
Based at the RVC Small learning, the ACT supported a visit for
Animal Referrals Hospital, the surgery. These specialist machines members of the cardiothoracic team to
Cardiothoracic Service is recognised temporarily take over the function the Jasmine Clinic in Japan, led by
as one of the leading centres in the of the heart and lungs and cool the Dr Masami Uechi, who collaborated
world for veterinary heart surgery. body down, allowing surgeons to with the RVC as we extended our open-
The service continues to grow in safely operate inside the heart. With heart surgery repertoire to include
expertise and ambition, and we’re mitral valve disease being the most mitral valve repair, alongside Professor
proud to have supported this journey common heart condition in dogs, this Dan Brockman, Director of the RVC
through the funding of cutting-edge equipment is helping to save lives. Cardiothoracic Surgery Service.
equipment and training. The team also now uses the cardiac
ultrasound machine, a portable The Jasmine Clinic is the world’s
machine that provides detailed leading centre for mitral valve repair in
imaging of the heart. It’s especially dogs, performing over 400 surgeries
valuable for use in the operating annually with a 97% survival rate.
theatre and for critically ill animals The visit enabled RVC staff to
in intensive care, who cannot be observe, learn and share techniques
easily moved. It has quickly with the Jasmine team. This invaluable
become a key tool in both exchange of expertise is now helping
daily diagnostics and refine procedures and further improve
surgical planning. outcomes for patients at the RVC.
Surgeons also now With your support, the RVC
benefit from surgical Cardiothoracic Service continues to
loupes, which are lead the way in veterinary cardiac
high-precision care – giving pets the best chance
magnifying glasses of recovery, and equipping the
with built-in next generation of veterinarians
cameras that with world-class knowledge and
enhance visibility experience. Here’s to many more
during intricate years of extraordinary care.
Support us today!
For over 30 years, the RVC
Animal Care Trust has improved
animal health by funding hospital
equipment, research, and future
veterinary professionals.
AUTUMN 2025 16
