Not many people know this but it's true. Veterinary cardiologists can implant your pacemaker into a dog at a much lower cost than buying a new one. You kill two birds with one stone - recycle the device/provide life-saving treatment for an animal. Put it in your Will and donate your pacemaker to a veterinary clinic.
Rgds Paul
Did you know that if you have a pacemaker, you can include it in your Will to be donated to a dog in need after you pass away?
Although pacemakers cannot be used for another human, they can help dogs with heart problems and potentially save their lives. You can arrange for the pacemaker to be sent to a vet of your choice.
Many pacemakers are simply thrown away, and dogs may die because people do not know about this option.
Donating the pacemaker can even save the dog's owner the cost of a new one, which can sometimes make a crucial difference in affording life-saving treatment.
Written by
Paulbounce
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
There are problems attached to this, whereas it was common some years ago it’s now not worth Vets doing this so it will likely be chucked in the bin, Sussex Pet Rescue have a recent update.
I'll check out the Sussex Pet Rescue. Remember the movie Cast Away with Ollie Read and Amanda Donohue? It was based on a true story about Lucy Irvine who now lives in Bulgaria and has set up the Lucy Irvine Foundation for animals. I've never met a more inspiring women in my life. Check her books out to be motived and hear from someone who has truly beaten everything life has thrown her way. Amazing women. I did voluntary work for Lucy and it was very rewarding helping animals. Heres a short clip of us both helping out people and animals.
Connect with Lucy on FaceBook. She won't say no to pacemakers coming her way.
Have a great day.
Rgds Paul
Edit. I had very little sleep the night before the filming of the video - Plus it had been a very long day. I'm far more handsome on a good day when I'm wearing my glad rags and not so tired🤣🤣🤣
Thank you I will check with my vet to see if that can be done here as well. I would love the idea of my pacemaker to go on giving life to a dog and extending their life possibly thank you again.
Yes, I am aware, I think I did mention this a few days ago on here as I had my replacement battery op on the 7th February and told my cardio team who were most surprised lol, I think it is the undertakers who should be alerted to this too as in most cases I believe it is them who remove it.
and told my cardio team who were most surprised lol
🤣
And:
I think it is the undertakers who should be alerted to this too as in most cases I believe it is them who remove it
Good idea. I didn't see your post mentioning this - I stumbled accross it on a FaceBook group. Well done for bringing awareness to forum members on HU.
As a Cardiac Physiologist who specialise in Pacing, most Pacemakers that are removed are End of Life for that Device, they have also been programmed to that patients Personal needs.They are sent back, by either the Hospital or Undertaker in bulk to the Manufacturer who disposes them as they have Lithium Batteries.
I remember asking a Pacing Rep about this year's ago and it was a No, better off using expired dated one not fit for humans.
There have been some case studies and smaller reports about the use of pacemakers in veterinary medicine, but large-scale clinical trials focusing specifically on using donated pacemakers from humans in dogs are relatively limited. However, here are a few points based on available research:
Veterinary Case Studies: Several studies and case reports have documented the successful implantation of pacemakers in dogs. These cases usually involve dogs with conditions such as third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sick sinus syndrome, which affect the normal rhythm of the heart.
Example Case Study: One well-known case study is published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM), where dogs were successfully implanted with pacemakers to treat bradyarrhythmias, a condition where the heart beats too slowly.
Recycled Human Pacemakers in Dogs: Several veterinary clinics participate in recycling programs where human pacemakers, after being thoroughly cleaned and reprogrammed, are used for dogs. Studies published in veterinary cardiology literature describe this practice as cost-effective for animals who need pacemaker implantation.
A specific initiative by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine documented their success in using donated pacemakers for dogs. These pacemakers were removed from deceased human patients, refurbished, and implanted into dogs suffering from heart arrhythmias.
Veterinary Clinical Trials: While large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pacemaker usage in dogs are scarce, there are numerous smaller studies and trials that have been reported, primarily focusing on:
The effectiveness of pacemaker implantation in treating dogs with bradycardia (slow heart rate).
Outcomes and long-term benefits of pacemaker therapy in dogs with AV block.
Notable clinical reports include:
"Pacemaker implantation in dogs: Indications, techniques, and outcomes," from the Veterinary Journal.
"Long-term outcomes of pacemaker implantation in dogs with atrioventricular block," found in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
These reports show favorable outcomes, indicating that pacemaker implantation can help prolong a dog's life and improve their quality of life, particularly when addressing certain types of heart disease.
Thanks for that read.That report is from the USA, I do know Animals receive Pacemakers, Dogs and Horses (I think). There is no reason why not? It will be expensive, but folk do spend thousands on Pets.
The NHS gets them at a negotiable rate, it's depending on the Trust, and numbers. But put in Privately significantly a lot more.
But a recycled one from the NHS? Unless things have changed recently, can't see it, to be honest, but I understand the reason.
That’s good to know. I wish I’d known it years ago as an Uncle who had a pacemaker died at 93 and was cremated. That pacemaker l could have been put to good use! If I need a pacemaker I hope I will remember this and put it in my will.
The number of dogs eligible for a second hand pacemaker are very, very, very small in number. As a former veterinary nurse, we only ever had 1 and it was the Vet’s Doberman. She lived another couple of years after the device was implanted.
A dog’s lifespan is also against it being a viable option, and the size of a dog. Add to that the pacemakers are usually old it’s really not a common thing.
Sorry but I have to disagree. Maybe it is rare but veterinary research has shown pacemaker implanation in dogs is effective regardless of the pets size. In many cases it leads to an improved QOL and increased life span.
I can dig up the sources if you wish (not tonight though - I'm to tried). I would start with the The Journal of Veterinary Cardiology/The Journal of the American Heart Association and Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. The The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine confirms that there are options for a wide range of dog breeds and sizes.
Dobermans are prone to arrhythmias and it has been shown that it extends their life by a few years. Smaller dogs benefit from more compact pacemakers.
Also note that veterinary medicine is evolving very quickly. I don't know if you still work as a veterinary nurse? If you have left this employment sometime ago it's likely the landscape has changed.
I hope you have a great week.
Kind Rgds Paul
Edit. 2 years of dog life is the same as 14 years in a human. Worth doing IMO.
I work in the funeral industry. This is a wonderful idea isn’t currently available in the UK - it’s certainly not something done by any of the funeral homes I work for. Your pacemaker is taken out by the embalmer at the funeral home and can actually be donated to people in third world countries - however, this is at a cost the funeral directors. There is no point putting it in your will as this is usually read after the funeral. You need to let your family know your wishes well in advance.
What a great idea. Donating the pacemaker to people in the third world. I'll look in to this and find out more about it. I'll update the thread when I do. Personally, I would pay for it out of my 'money left behind' and cover the cost's in my will rather than the funeral director paying it. That's a much better idea than the taxman having it.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Saw my EP this morning and had a very informative chat. The outcome is that because I have had AF for over 12 years and the drugs are having
Pacemaker advice 
pacemaker and a fib
pace and a late 
How to go through airport security with a pacemaker/ICD?
