Cooper, a husky-malamute mix, was one of the first to receive a pacemaker through the Navicent Health-University of Georgia Pacemaker Donation Program. His family reports that he is doing well.

Cooper, a husky-malamute mix, was one of the first to receive a pacemaker through the Navicent Health-University of Georgia Pacemaker Donation Program. His family reports that he is doing well.

A partnership between a hospital and a veterinary clinic is lowering the cost of life-saving operations for animals.

Animal Pacemakers

When patients at Medical Center Navicent Health in Macon receive new pacemakers, they can donate their old ones to the University of Georgia’s veterinary clinic.

The devices can then be implanted in animals. UGA’s clinic implants five to 15 used pacemakers a year, mostly in dogs.

RELATED: Mom's Best Friend: Georgia Families Travel To Ohio For Service Dogs

Dr. Gregg Rapaport is a veterinary cardiologist at UGA. He said the partnership saves lives and money.

“A brand new pacemaker can cost thousands of dollars," Rapaport said. "So this kind of program allows us to keep our costs reasonable and somewhat affordable.”

Rapaport said they’ve also implanted pacemakers in cats, a ferret and a horse.

Tags: medical center  pacemaker  veterinary medicine  vet  gregg rapaport  Navicent Health  Animals  UGA  University of Georgia  Augusta