Cardiology
The Cardiology Service provides specialist care for dogs and cats with heart and respiratory disease. 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, radiology or advanced imaging (CT or MRI) where indicated.
We offer a minimally invasive interventional cardiac surgery programme, which includes:
- Pacemaker implantation
- Catheterization 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 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 development of these conditions at an older age.
We also screen cats for asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
NEW: Clinical Trial for cats with congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy
CALL FOR CASES - DO YOU CARE ABOUT CATS?
We are one of a number of UK, European and USA centres involved in a clinical trial, testing a novel drug for congestive heart failure in cats due to cardiomyopathy (most commonly this will be due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; HCM). The cat must be stable with well controlled congestive heart failure on permitted medication (furosemide or torasemide, clopidogrel and possibly also an ACE-inhibitor). The costs of the screening visit will be covered. If the cat meets the inclusion criteria and the owner gives their informed consent for the cat to be included, the costs of these visits will be covered by the sponsor company. However, if the cat requires emergency referral for stabilisation of congestive heart failure, these costs prior to becoming stable will be normally charged to the client.
If you are a vet and think that you have a suitable case, please call the cardiology service for more information and to discuss your patient with the cardiology service.
If you are an owner who has a cat with heart failure, please ask your primary care vet to contact us to discuss the possibility of being included in this study.
We really need more evidence about how best to treat cats with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure and this study will help gather that.
Puppy and kitten murmur clinic
Concerned about a heart murmur in a puppy or kitten?
Are you a referring vet worried about whether a puppy or kitten has an innocent murmur or congenital heart disease? We can offer a reduced cost assessment for patients less than 12mo old including consultation, physical examination and echocardiography for £275. Please put "Puppy / kitten murmur assessment" on your referral request.
Calling for Great Danes to screen for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
We have funding from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and the Great Dane Breed Council to screen Great Danes for DCM by echocardiography (in dogs of 4 years or older) and Holter monitoring (in dogs over 12 months of age), including cardiac biomarkers. Please contact the cardiology team to discuss whether your Dane or your client’s Great Dane may be a suitable candidate.
To refer to this service please visit our Vet Referral page.