Would be grateful for some input/help on the following

Friends of ours got a long-waited Akita bitch some 8 months ago.   She is a lovely girl, has settled well into her new family (which even includes cats)  and has just got her Good Companion Bronze Award, and is now working on the silver.

She was taken to the vet's (PDSA) because she developed very bad breath (despite her teeth being cleaned regularly) and skin lesions.    When she was checked over, it was discovered that she has a very slow,irregular heartbeat, and has now been referred to Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire, where it is likely that she will need a pacemaker fitted.    There has never been any other query about her heart - she has been seen by the vets before, and arrangements were in hand for her to be speyed midway between cycles (she had a season at the end of June).   She is well-bred, her pedigree is easily traceable and checkable with no health hiccups anywhere in the lines.  

Obviously her new family is distraught - she is only just 4 years old - and is a much-loved member of the family, going everywhere with them (even to Church!!).   How common is this type of  ailment in Akitas - is the fitting of a pacemaker as successful in dogs (especially dogs which do not respond well to general anaesthetics) - as people?

The family's distress is compounded by the fact that she has no health insurance (family qualifies for PDSA) but now the PDSA say that as they cannot treat her themselves, the family will have to find the funds (could be in the region of £2,000 if she needs a pacemaker).   This money will be found somehow, but does anyone know if there is a PDSA anywhere that can give such treatment?  Or any other source of funding?  

Regards

Margot

Anyone got any ideas???

Thanks
Margot

I know its probably a long shot but has the dog been tested for Thyroid function??  Hypothyroid condition can cause very slow and irregular heartbeat.  The reason I thought of this is because before I was finally tested for thyroid function I was 'diagnosed' as having a heart problem, because I had a slow, irregular heartbeat!! 

Hi Margot,
     Sorry, don't know of any dogs that have had pacemakers fitted, but re the treatment, has your friend tried the RSPCA - we've got an RSPCA Vets Clinic near us for people on low incomes - whether or not they would do a major op like that though I don't know.
Hilda

Think Dill's sugestion is a good one. Thyroid conditions are common in Akitas, whereas I don't think heart conditions are at all common in the breed.