Pets with serious heart conditions now have access to a groundbreaking treatment that’s changing lives – without the need for open-heart surgery.
BluePearl Tampa is proud to be one of only eight veterinary hospitals in the U.S. to offer Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER), a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure that helps pets with heart disease live longer, healthier lives.
What is TEER?
TEER is designed to treat mitral valve disease, one of the most common causes of heart problems in dogs.
In the past, pets with this condition had very limited treatment options. Now, with TEER, there’s a way to fix the problem without the risks and recovery time of major surgery. The procedure has an incredible 95% success rate and has been widely used in human medicine. And now, it’s available for the pets we love.
"The Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair procedure is a game changer, offering pet owners a minimally invasive alternative to complex treatments such as open-heart surgery,” said Dr. Bradley Harris, a board-certified cardiologist at BluePearl Tampa. “TEER can improve the quality of life for pets with heart disease and extend their lifespans. We’re proud to be the eighth pet hospital in the country to offer this industry leading procedure and look forward to positively impacting the lives of pets in our community and beyond.”
How does it work?
Instead of opening the chest, TEER is done through a small catheter inserted into a vein. A special device is guided to the heart and used to gently bring the leaky valve edges together, helping the heart work more effectively.
What does post-procedure recovery look like?
Pets typically need about six weeks of rest after the procedure, followed by regular check-ups. Many go on to enjoy more active, comfortable lives.
Who performs the procedure?
BluePearl Tampa's cardiology team – Drs. Harris, Reems, Ishak, and Gicking – are among a select few specialists in the country trained to perform this advanced procedure.
Their dedication to pushing the boundaries of medicine reflects BluePearl’s ongoing commitment to medical excellence and compassionate service.
“I am incredibly proud of our cardiology team in Tampa, including Drs. Harris, Reems, Ishak, and Gicking, who have undergone specialized training to be one of few pet hospitals in the United States that are able to offer the TEER procedure to pets,” said Dr. Richard Stone, Chief Medical Officer at BluePearl. “Our dedicated team continues to push the bounds of medical excellence, finding ways to bring industry-leading care to communities to positively impact the lives of pets.”
Talk to a veterinary specialist.
The TEER procedure is now available at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa, Florida, located at 3000 Busch Lake Blvd. To learn more or request an appointment, visit our website or call 813.933.8944.
