Veterinary Cardiology

Veterinary Cardiology is the specialty that deals with diseases of the heart and great vessels in dogs, cats and other companion animals. A veterinary cardiology consultation starts from the clinical examination and auscultation, then uses echocardiography, the electrocardiogram, blood-pressure measurement and, sometimes, chest radiography or Holter monitoring to reach a precise diagnosis. The cardiologist assesses murmurs, arrhythmias, heart failure, the degenerative valve disease common in small-breed dogs, feline cardiomyopathies and congenital defects, then sets a treatment plan and a schedule of re-checks.

An owner reaches a cardiologist when the regular vet hears a murmur or an irregular beat, when the animal tires quickly, coughs, breathes with effort, has fainting episodes or a swollen abdomen, or before anaesthesia in a senior animal or a breed with known cardiac risk. Early detection matters, because many heart conditions can be controlled for years with correctly adjusted treatment, and a baseline assessment done early gives a point of comparison for later.

When you look for a veterinary cardiology service, check whether the unit has an echocardiography machine and a vet with specific cardiac experience rather than general equipment alone, whether ECG and blood pressure can be done in the same visit, and how follow-up checks and communication with your regular vet are organised. Ask whether you receive a written report with the measurements and the plan, useful for any other clinic the animal attends. The cost covers the specialist consultation, the echocardiogram and any additional tests, while chronic treatment means daily medication and re-checks; ask for an estimate for the first visit and for ongoing monitoring, as fees differ between cities and centres.

If the animal is struggling to breathe at rest or has bluish gums, treat it as an emergency and go straight to the nearest clinic rather than waiting for the specialist appointment. For the planned visit, bring the medication list and, if you have counted the sleeping breathing rate per minute at home, note the values. Use this directory to identify clinics offering veterinary cardiology in your area, compare equipment and hours, and open each page for contact details, a map and reviews before requesting an appointment.