Baby's life saved after racing hearbeat detected by 'needy' family dog who wouldn't leave his side

Baby's life saved after racing hearbeat detected by 'needy' family dog who wouldn't leave his side Kim Reynolds' pet doberman Saraya was clearly concerned about six-month-old Alexander and before long the infant was rushed to hospital where doctors delivered some bad news A family dog's "needy'' behaviour turned out to be a vital warning over their baby's racing heartbeat, which helped save the tot's life. Mum Kim Reynolds, 41, was confused by her pet Doberman Saraya's acting clingy around six-month-old Alexander. The pet wouldn't leave the baby's side and cried every time he was taken away from her that morning. Alexander later became upset and looked unwell and his mum rushed him to Royal Bournemouth Hospital's A&E department. Doctors discovered Alexander was suffering from a dangerously fast heart rhythm, at 280 beats per minute.Two days later he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Kim, a former canine hydro-therapist and first time mum, said: "Saraya knew his heart rate was higher than it should've been. 'I had no idea. She sensed it. I dread to think what would have happened if I just put him in the cot and walked away. The doctors say SVT isn't dangerous but sustained SVT is. "Saraya's behaviour was like a noise playing in my mind. It was bugging me that she was trying to tell me something wasn't right. I was confused why she was being so needy and obsessive. 'It certainly added to my concern and made us go in to get checked." When she went to A&E in September for seven-month-old Alexander, Kim feared they were wasting professional's time as he had stopped crying. Then she found out how fast his heart was beating. In order to shock Alexander's heart rhythm back to normal, they had to "dunk him" in a large bucket filled with cold water and ice. Kim, of Shepton Mallet, Somerset said: "They put him in and the scream was horrific, that's all I hear now. They did it twice and his heart rate still hadn't come down." After submerging his head for 10 seconds, Alexander's heart remained high and he was put in Kim's lap. She then decided it was "enough" and she wanted them to try intravenous medication. Three doses of the medication finally brought his heart rate down and the family was transferred by ambulance to Poole Hospital. Kim stayed for two nights and received his Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome diagnosis. Kim described the syndrome as ''an extra but of tissue in his heart, which basically means electrical pulses can get through where they shouldn't That's when he can't calm his heart rate''. Alexander now takes the beta blocker propranolol three times a day through a syringe. Kim said he "knows he needs it" and drinks from the syringe himself "hassle free". This month, Saraya began acting different around Alexander again. Kim said: "He was in his bouncer and she was next to him, licking his hands, looking at me. 'My first thought was 'oh god are we going to go into SVT again'.'' After checking his pulse, she noticed his throat looked red and took him to A&E. He was diagnosed with bacterial tonsillitis and prescribed penicillin. Kim said: "I 100 per cent trust Saraya. She's not a trained or registered assistance dog. But to me, every opportunity I have she will be by his side." Kim's sister Francine introduced her to the small charity Tiny Tickers, who work to improve the early detection and care of babies with serious heart conditions, while also supporting their families. The pair are taking part in the 100-mile challenge in October to raise money for Tiny Tickers. Kim said: "I didn't realise the work they did. It's become really, pardon the pun, close to my heart. I went to a health physician to get him weighed a couple of weeks after and they had no idea what SVT was. I'm a first time mum and it's been a whole experience. It's really important to raise awareness. You wonder how many babies have it and don't realise. "I'd never heard of his syndrome when they scanned him. It wasn't picked up at birth or at previous hospital visits. I have to say his care at Bournemouth and Poole was faultless. I'm well aware some babies have much more serious heart conditions but it is just as important, and the charity helped me realise that."