A pacemaker installed for a special dog!!
Molly is a very special dog who does very special work. Molly is owned by the Browns and volunteers with them on search and rescue missions for the Newton County K-8 search-and-rescue unit which doesn’t have a budget. Molly, who is a five year old chocolate Labrador retreiver was diagnosed with complete electrical heart blockage. This past Thursday, veterinarian surgeons at the University of Missiouri College of Veterinary Medicine installed a pacemaker in the dog’s heart.
Molly, who had always been exceptionally energetic became lethargic and out of breath last month. Vets in their town believed that Molly had a heart attack. When the dog’s heart rate dropped from 80 to 38, the Brown’s rushed Molly to Columbia, where the University Veterinary hospital staff determined her fate. The surgery, travel and vet expenses totalled over $2500.00. The Browns were amazed at the outpouring of support they received after Molly’s story was reported in the Joplin Journal. The device itself has been donated and the other costs have been covered by fund raising efforts and anonymous donations.
Molly’s was scheduled to go home yesterday and would have to remain in her crate for 2 weeks. Then there will be about a two month recovery period which will involve limited activity. After that, hopefully, Molly will be able to return to the work she loves and does so well.
Molly is one of the five dogs owned by the Browns. Of the Browns’ five dogs, there is only one other dog besides Molly that is trained as a search and rescue dog. It can actually take about 2 years to train a dog to do what Molly does. If a town or municipality were to buy a dog for search and rescue purposes, it would cost about $20,000.
We wish Molly a good recovery. She is both loved and needed.
May 24th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
[...] Continue Reading [...]
June 13th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Is there a site I can go to to find out how Molly is doing? Sweet girl, I am so glad that they recognize her value and are helping her. I wish everyone felt this way toward all animals.
Thank you!
Dawn