Cardiology
The Harvest Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital Cardiology Team is dedicated to delivering compassionate, expert cardiac care and providing the best possible outcome for your animal and family.
Cardiology
If your animal is suspected of suffering from heart or circulatory system disease, they will be referred to our Cardiology team. We understand that this can be a worrying diagnosis, but heart disease can range from mild to serious. The most important step is a thorough investigation and accurate diagnosis to ensure the best treatment and outcome. The Harvest Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital Cardiology Team is dedicated to delivering compassionate, expert cardiac care and providing the best possible outcome for your animal and family.
We see cats and dogs for a range of heart conditions and related issues, including:
- Heart murmurs
- Breathing problems
- Collapsing episodes
- Exercise intolerance
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Congenital heart conditions, such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonic stenosis
- Diseases involving the heart sac (pericardium)
Initial Consultation
Your initial consultation will usually last 20 to 45 minutes, during which we will take a thorough history. We will discuss recommended tests for your animal, potential costs, expected outcomes, and any possible risks. Our cardiologist will always be accompanied by a nurse who can translate from English to Cantonese if necessary. Your animal will usually need to stay with us for a few hours, and in some cases overnight, for further investigation and treatment.
Diagnostics
Most of our patients do not require sedation. However, some anxious animals may feel more relaxed during tests if they are sedated. If we believe sedation is in your animal’s best interest, we will request your permission. A small patch of fur is typically shaved on both sides of the chest to allow better visualization of the heart using the echocardiography machine.
We commonly perform tests such as:
Echocardiography
Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to create real-time pictures of your animal’s heart. It helps the cardiologist assess heart structure, function, and blood flow. A special feature called Color Doppler shows the direction and speed of blood flow, helping detect leaks or blockages in heart valves. This test is painless and safe. Echocardiography provides vital information to guide treatment and monitor heart conditions over time, ensuring your animal receives the best possible care for their heart health.
ECG
An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a simple, painless test that records the electrical activity of your dog or cat’s heart. It helps detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) conduction abnormalities, which affect how electrical signals travel through the heart, heart rate abnormalities and can give information on heart chamber enlargement. Small electrodes are placed on your animal’s skin to capture these signals. ECG is an important part of assessing overall cardiac health, especially when evaluating animals with known or suspected heart conditions.
24-hour Holter ECG
A 24-hour ECG, also called a Holter monitor, continuously records your dog or cat’s heart rhythm over a full day. It helps detect intermittent arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities that may not appear during a short ECG. Your animal wears a vest with holding a small, portable device allowing normal activity while monitoring heart rate and rhythm. This test is especially helpful for animals that faint, have irregular heartbeats, or are being treated with medications for heart rhythm problems—it shows how well those treatments are working.
Blood pressure measurement
Blood pressure measurement is a quick, non-invasive way to assess your dog or cat’s cardiovascular health. It is measured using a Doppler probe and inflatable cuff on limb. It helps detect hypertension, which can strain the heart and damage organs, and hypotension, which may indicate poor circulation or heart function. Identifying abnormal blood pressure is crucial during a cardiac exam, as it can influence treatment choices—especially in animals with heart disease.
Digital thoracic radiography
Thoracic X-rays are taken by gently positioning your dog or cat on their side and front to capture the chest area. These images show the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. In animals with heart disease, X-rays help detect heart enlargement and development of fluid in the lungs. They also provide a baseline image of the lungs, which is useful if your animal develops breathing problems in the future. They are essential for diagnosing and monitoring cardiac conditions.
Blood tests
Blood tests in veterinary cardiology help evaluate your animal’s heart health. They may include cardiac biomarkers to detect heart damage or stretch, kidney function tests, and electrolyte levels, which can be influenced by medications and affect heart rhythm. Tests for endocrine disorders like thyroid or growth hormone, and infectious diseases such as heartworm or certain viruses, may also be recommended. These tests are tailored to your animal’s needs and provide essential information for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating heart conditions.
For more complex cases, we can also perform:
Cardiac CT scan
A cardiac CT scan is an advanced imaging test that creates detailed pictures of your animal’s heart and surrounding blood vessels. It is performed under anesthesia to keep your animal still during the acquisition of the images. This scan helps detect congenital heart defects, tumors, blood vessel abnormalities. It’s especially valuable when other tests like ultrasound or X-rays don’t provide enough detail, and it supports accurate diagnosis and planning for heart-related treatments or surgery.
Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a procedure used to reset your animal’s heart rhythm when they have atrial fibrillation or flutter—types of irregular heartbeats. It involves delivering a brief, controlled electric shock to the heart while your animal is under anesthesia. This helps restore a normal rhythm and improve circulation. Cardioversion may be recommended when medications alone aren’t enough to correct the abnormal rhythm, and it can play an important role in managing certain heart conditions. `
Treatment and Management
Every patient is unique, and we will discuss the best treatment options for your animal. Most clinical signs can be managed with medication, but some animals may benefit from minimally invasive interventions (keyhole surgery) to correct or improve certain congenital defects or treat abnormal heart rhythms. These interventions involve accessing the heart through veins or arteries in the limbs or neck.
Available procedures include:
- Balloon valvuloplasty (inflating balloons within the heart to open fused valves)
- Stent placement to maintain vessel or chamber patency
- Device implantation to prevent abnormal blood flow, such as treating patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Permanent pacemaker implantation (for abnormal heart rhythms) (available soon)
Our surgery service may operate on cases where minimally invasive procedures are not possible.
Heart disease is common in cats and dogs. Our cardiologist not only manages her own primary cases but also assesses patients referred by other disciplines. When a patient from another service requires anesthesia or sedation, our cardiologist collaborates closely with the anesthesia team to ensure each procedure is carried out as safely as possible.
Other Specialty Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a heart murmur in dogs mean they have heart disease?
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often described as a whooshing noise. It occurs when blood flows turbulently through the heart or its vessels. While a murmur can be a sign of heart disease, it doesn’t always mean your animal has a serious problem. Some murmurs are innocent or physiological, especially in young animals, and may resolve with age. Others may indicate structural heart issues like valve defects, congenital abnormalities, or cardiomyopathy. To determine the cause and significance, your veterinarian may recommend further tests such as echocardiography, chest X-rays, biomarker measurement. Identifying whether a murmur is harmless or linked to heart disease is essential for guiding treatment and monitoring. Early detection allows for better management and can improve your animal’s quality of life. Regular check-ups are key to understanding and tracking any changes in heart health.
What types of heart diseases are commonly seen in cats and dogs?
In dogs, myxomatous valve disease is the most common heart condition, especially in small to medium breeds. It affects the mitral valve, causing it to leak. Over time, this can lead to heart enlargement and fluid buildup in the lungs. Dilated cardiomyopathy is another major disease, especially in large breeds. In this condition, the heart muscle becomes weak and stretched, reducing its ability to pump blood. Causes include genetics, nutritional deficiencies, infections, toxins, and certain medications.
In cats, the most common heart disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle thickens and impairs function. With time this can cause fluid buildup in the lungs and abnormal blood clot formation. There is often a genetic component, but the thickening can also be worsened by endocrine disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, or cancer.
Dogs and cats may also have congenital defects such as patent ductus arteriosus or pulmonic stenosis. They may develop arrhythmias.
Can heart disease be managed without long-term medication?
Managing heart disease in dogs and cats without long-term medication depends on the condition’s type, severity, and progression. Early stages may show no symptoms, but silent disease can still pose serious risks. For example, cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may appear healthy yet face life-threatening complications like aortic thromboembolism, warranting preventive blood thinners. Similarly, dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease may benefit from early treatment before signs of congestive heart failure emerge, improving long-term outcomes.
While lifestyle changes and treating underlying issues like hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure can help, many heart diseases are progressive and may eventually require medication. Veterinary cardiologists use diagnostic tools—such as echocardiograms, ECGs, and blood tests—to guide treatment decisions. In some cases, addressing root causes may delay medication, but once significant structural damage or heart failure occurs, drugs become essential. A personalized, diagnostic-based approach ensures animals receive optimal care throughout their heart health journey.
