Clinical service provision is headed by European and RCVS recognised Specialists in Cardiology, who are committed to providing an excellent standard of care to the patients under our care. We are an ECVIM-CA approved residency training centre in cardiology, training residents towards specialist status in cardiology. We also train veterinary students in cardiology, so they are competent in dealing with common heart diseases affecting dogs and cats in general practice once they have graduated. By working in a multidisciplinary hospital with most specialisms covered, any pet with complex needs can have various problems addressed during their visit, including intensive care treatment.
Cardiology investigations include echocardiography to image the heart (including advanced techniques to investigate heart muscle function and 4D and trans-oesophageal echocardiography where indicated), ECG to investigate disturbances of heart rhythm, long-term ECGs including Holter monitors or implantable Linq devices, and radiology or advanced imaging (CT or MRI) where indicated.
We offer a minimally invasive interventional cardiac surgery programme, which includes:
- Pacemaker implantation
- Catheterisation closure of PDAs (patent ductus arteriosus) with ACDOs
- Balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonic stenosis (low pressure or high pressure) or certain other cardiac defects, as indicated
- Stent angioplasty of pulmonic stenosis with atypical valves or a narrow pulmonary annulus
- Diagnostic angiography and cardiac chamber pressure measurements.
These cases can be referred for investigation or management by the primary veterinary surgeon or a veterinary cardiologist. Cases requiring thoracotomy or thoracoscopic procedures are managed in collaboration with our soft tissue surgery service.
As well as investigation and treatment of suspected heart disease, we also provide a heart testing service for breeds at risk of heart disease. For congenital heart disease, we screen at-risk breeds (e.g. Boxers and Newfoundlands for Aortic stenosis). For acquired heart disease, we screen Great Danes, Dobermanns and other breeds at risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. We also screen Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for early evidence of mitral valve disease as part of the Kennel Club/Cardiovascular Society scheme. For acquired heart disease, serial longitudinal screening is required since one-off screening in a young dog does not exclude the possibility of the development of these conditions at an older age.
We also screen cats for asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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