CONGRATULATIONS to our veterinary colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College, London.

The RVC Cardiology Service, headed by Professor of Veterinary Cardiology, Virginia Luis Fuentes, have recently undertaken the world's first open-heart surgery to treat a stenotic (narrowed) tricuspid valve inside the heart of a three year old Labrador, called Mabel.

A team of three surgeons and three anaesthetists, supported by two Registered Veterinary Nurses successfully completed the one hour long procedure.

Without surgery, Mabel had no long term future whatsoever; now she should enjoy a normal quality of life and normal life expectancy.

This is a tremendous achievement for the RVC Cardiology Service.

We are thrilled that Professor Fuentes' sister and parents entrust the care of all their pets to our team at Valley Vets.