Specialties Cardiology

Veterinary Cardiologist for Dogs and Cats

The cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) works similarly in humans and animals and is responsible for functions that give life – from working with the lungs to pump nutrient-rich blood through the body to delivering toxins and waste to organs that clean the blood. When there’s an issue with your pet’s cardiovascular system, the body simply cannot function properly. That’s when referral to a veterinary cardiologist may be helpful.

Why Choose MedVet Cardiology

When your pet exhibits signs of heart disease or your family veterinarian detects an abnormality of the heart, they may refer you to a veterinary specialist with extensive training in the diagnosis and care of animal heart and lung problems in animals. 

Our veterinary cardiology team members, including doctors, technicians, and assistants, are dedicated to improving the quality and length of life for pets with heart disease. We work with your family veterinarian to develop an individualized health plan for your pet. 

In our state-of-the-art facilities, your pet receives the most advanced therapies and procedures available from a team who is consistently at the forefront of cardiology care, research, and technology. Our doctors have generated original independent studies and are strong contributors to national and international clinical studies for dogs and cats with heart disease. This work has led to the release of new cardiac therapies and a better understanding of heart disease in pets. This experience and expertise make us a preferred partner for many family veterinarians.

What to Expect During a Cardiology Consultation

When you schedule your appointment, our team will share information about how to prepare for your visit, which may include making sure your pet has not eaten (if fasting is required) or bringing a list of their medications. 

During your pet’s consultation, our cardiology team will review your pet’s medical records from your family veterinarian and discuss your pet’s lifestyle, diet, and health history with you. The team will perform a physical exam with added emphasis on the heart and lungs. 

Based on the findings, the team may conduct advanced testing, such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, or radiograph (X-ray). Our doctors will discuss your pet’s diagnosis and treatment plan with you and answer any questions you may have. Our team partners with your family veterinarian to provide the best treatment options for your pet. 

We offer extensive cardiology services for dogs and cats from our expert team. This includes advanced diagnostic and screening procedures, treatment for a variety of conditions, and intensive care hospitalization for cardiac emergencies.
  • Abdominocentesis for abdominal effusion
  • Arrhythmia therapy
  • Cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis and management
  • Cardiac OFA certification
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) management
  • Doppler blood pressure evaluation
  • Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound) with color-flow, spectral, and tissue Doppler
  • Echocardiogram with agitated saline contrast evaluation for shunt detection
  • Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) for evaluating heart rate and heart rhythm
  • Heartworm disease diagnosis, staging, and therapy
  • Holter and event monitoring of heart rhythm in the home environment
  • Intensive care hospitalization for cardiac emergencies
  • Pericardiocentesis for pericardial effusion
  • Pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and management
  • Pre-anesthesia cardiac screening
  • Pre-Adriamycin (chemotherapy) cardiac screening
  • Radiography to assess the lungs for cardiac complications
  • Systemic hypertension diagnosis and management
  • Telemetry monitoring of heart rhythm in hospitalized patients
  • Thoracocentesis for pleural effusion

Our specialists are also highly trained in interventional cardiology. These sophisticated procedures and imaging techniques provide minimally invasive therapy for a variety of cardiovascular problems, reducing the need for invasive surgery.
  • Balloon valvuloplasty to relieve heart valve stenosis
  • Cutting balloon dilation to relieve cardiovascular obstructions
  • Diagnostic angiograms for cardiovascular defect and shunt detection
  • Heartworm extraction
  • Hybrid procedures joining cardiology and surgery teams to correct complex heart defects
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion
  • Permanent pacemaker implantation to treat slow cardiac arrhythmias
  • Radiofrequency catheter ablation to treat certain rapid cardiac arrhythmias
  • Stent placement to relieve cardiovascular obstructions
  • Temporary transvenous cardiac pacing support during anesthesia
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram guided cardiac procedures
  • Vascular foreign body retrieval
  • Vascular malformation occlusion

Not all services are available in every hospital. Contact your local MedVet for services at that location.