Heart monitors for dogs brought to AVC, thanks to fundraising effort

When Michelle Shepherd and her husband Leonard brought their dog Daisy to the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) for treatment a few years ago after she collapsed, there was a problem.

While Daisy, 8,was given medication to treat her cardiomyopathy, a disease that prevents the heart from working properly, the vets wanted more information.

"In order to really know the problem with Daisy, [AVC]wanted her to go on a heart monitor," said Shepherd.

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Dr. EtienneCt, an AVC veterinarian, said diagnosing pets is more difficult than humans.

"In veterinary medicine, we can't ask our patients where it hurts. So in order to find out how an animal is feeling or what is making them sick, we have to look a little bit furtherand a lot of that depends on things like heart monitors," he said.

The monitor would be able to track Daisy's heartbeat and help identify the problem, but at the time of Daisy's collapse, heart monitors weren't available at AVC, meaning one had to be shipped in from North Carolina.

Getting the monitor took a week and cost about $300 US to bring in, saidCt.

Shepherd decidedAVC should have monitors.

Having them would cutrental costs in half and shorten the waiting time for results from a few weeks to a few days.

"Little did we know they were going to cost $20,000,"said Shepherd.

To payfor the monitors, the Shepherds beganhavingfundraisers, fleamarkets andyard sales.

"Anything andeverythingthat would make money for us, we got together and did it," said Shepherd.

'Truly inspirational'

The Shepherds andother members of the communityraised the money over four years and purchased four heart monitors for the hospital this past fall.

"This was truly inspirational because these folks who came here with their own petsand needed these monitorssimply just wanted to make a difference and ...took it upon themselves to raise money," saidCt.

Shepherd said people were kind and generous.

"We were just a little piece of the puzzle," she said.

Daisy has since diedfrom another disease, but Shepherd said the monitors are a nice tribute to her memory.

"Everybody knew Daisy. Everybody lovedDaisy. It's a good memory for her," said Shepherd.

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