Previously, canine heart valve surgery, necessary for treating dogs with heart disease, was only possible in animal hospitals abroad. However, it has now become accessible in domestic private animal hospitals. The surgical team at Nel Animal Medical Center, located in Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, consisting of directors Eom Tae-heum, Bae Woo-ram, Son Dong-ju, Son Seong-ji, and Im Deok-ho, has successfully performed the operation on dogs diagnosed with stage C to D heart disease. This achievement places South Korea among the leading countries with the capability for canine heart surgery, following Japan and the United Kingdom.

The surgery targets Mitral Valve Insufficiency (MVI), a heart condition affecting more than half of the small dog population in Korea. Influencer star dog Dally, known from the channel "Run, Dally," underwent this surgery in Japan, making it famous. For a long time, the surgery was exclusively performed at Jasmine Animal Hospital in Japan, but has now been made possible domestically through the efforts and research of the medical team.

Until recently, the focus in Korea has predominantly been on slowing the disease's progression and improving quality of life through medication, rather than treatment. Some procedures related to the valve, such as the V-Clamp technique, have been introduced. However, these methods do not require stopping the heart and thus face challenges in accurately identifying the lesion.

Heart valve surgery, through open-heart surgery, allows for precise identification and treatment of the affected area, overcoming the risks associated with previous methods. This surgery requires specialized surgical techniques for open-heart operations, a team for extracorporeal circulation during cardiac arrest, expensive medical equipment for extracorporeal circulation, and a dedicated medical team to manage changes in blood pressure after valve surgery. The establishment of a permanently available animal medical team capable of performing these surgeries domestically is a first for the private sector.

Dr. Eom Tae-heum, leading the surgical team, expressed, "Many dogs in Korea live short lives due to valve diseases. It was heartbreaking to see some pet owners go as far as Japan for surgery, only for the outcomes to be negatively affected by the stress and excitement of flying. I am thrilled that we can now offer these dogs and their owners a chance at more time together."

The Nel Animal Medical Center's heart disease surgery record was broadcast on the YouTube channel "If You're Family" on the 10th, promoting warm communication with pets.