Since the 1960s, pacemakers have been used in people with heart problems. By the 1980s, similar technology was first applied to dogs. So, just what does it mean and how is it done?

A pacemaker is a small device consisting of a generator placed under the skin and wires that lead to the heart. When a dog’s heart rate drops below a preset range, the pacemaker stimulates the heart to contract faster.

A pacemaker might be used in a dog with an abnormal heartbeat or a slow heart rate that impedes normal activity. In some cases, this may be the only form of treatment that works, and some dogs have pacemakers for years. If the generator’s battery dies, it can easily be replaced.

You might be surprised how many pooches have pacemakers — even working dogs. After all, there’s no way you can tell from the outside what beats within.