After a routine check-up, about 3 years ago, meaning Sally was about 5 years old, the doctor heard a heart murmur. The Doctor advised me to take Sally to the veterinarian Cardiologist, he was the one who indicated her pathology. Sally was diagnosed with MVD in B2 status.

Her cardiologist put her on a treatment regimen of (Vetmedin) and explained the disease process. About a year later, I started giving Spironolactone and a few months later, also Amlodipine. All this at the same time deteriorated her kidneys so I also had to change her diet. It was not easy since they had warned me that the disease continued its progress and that at some point some determination would have to be made.

It was at the end of 2018 when Dr. Carpenter already told me that the time had come. Sally was still in stage B2 but the progression of her illness already indicated the ideal time to operate on her.  With my veterinarians and Nate's help, I was able to do all the necessary paperwork for admission to both Japan and the Jasmine clinic. We completed the quarantine process after 6 months.

 We arrived in Japan on June 25 2019 after a long trip from Miami. On the 27th I had a pre-op appointment with Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi and after seeing Sally and how she was doing so well compared to most others Jasmine said the risks outweighed the benefits to the surgery because surgery wouldn’t change her current condition by much as she was asymptomatic. I decided at that time, with the jet lag and as I was very nervous to not operate on Sally. The funny thing is that I paid for the operation even thinking that I would not operate on her at that time.

 Again with the help of Nate who is always so patient and the "mom" of another newly operated dog in japan, I finally decided that proceeding was the best option for us. As many may understand this disease is very unpredictable. Sally was only 8 and the chances of her progressing were immanent.

 Finally, they operated on July 2, 2019. My nerves are not the purpose of this text but for those who want to know, it is not easy. They were days of great anxiety and anguish. I recommend not being alone in your journey, I had the help of my sister and it was a great support.

 Sally survived the surgery and did great. The surgeons actually found a few torn chordae tendineae and were very surprised she didn’t progress further before surgery or show any signs. Sally did not eat until after 6 days of the operation. This also made her not recover as fast as other dogs but she slept in our rented apartment on the fifth night as Jasmine thought this was better for Sally, we would have to come to Jasmine daily for her rechecks.

 Little by little she regained her strength and was eating much better. eventually we made it to our last appointment to verify Sally was good to go back to Miami. On July 13 we were already flying back to Miami. After a month I could say that things were already back to normal as before the operation. Sally was acting very vital and happier, so much that she had to be stopped so that she did not run since she was still in the 3 months of post-op.

At her recent checkup review they were all normal values and the heart was no longer so big. Sally is exactly the same as before her operation in every way, except that the disease is now controlled. Doing this surgery was the most difficult experience of my life yet I have my Sally back for many more years to come thanks to these amazing team of doctors that dedicate there lives to our animals and to the Mighty Hearts Project team and the community that helped us to get to surgery and offer us so much support.

Sincerely,

Fernando & Sally Fiksman

Breed: Beagle Mix Age: 8 Diagnosis: Stage B2 Surgery Date: July 2, 2019 Hometown: Miami Beach Owner: Fernando Fiksman Primary Vet: Dr Covadonga Talavera, VCA South Dade Cardiologist: Dr Carpenter, Jupiter Pet Emergency & Specialty Center Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center