Veterinary Emergency Care Australia
Veterinary Cardiology
At VECA, we understand that some illnesses require a deeper level of care.
A heart murmur or a diagnosis of heart disease in your pet is worrying, and it is one of the more common reasons a regular vet refers a dog or cat on for specialist assessment. Veterinary cardiology is the area of veterinary medicine focused on the heart: diagnosing and managing heart conditions in animals, and helping them live comfortably for as long as possible.
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At VECA, our veterinary cardiology service is delivered in partnership with All Hearts, a cardiology service owned and operated by a veterinary cardiologist, running at our Campbelltown animal hospital by appointment. What VECA adds is the hospital around it. On-site diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, anaesthesia and surgical support, a blood bank, and 24/7 critical care, which matters most when a heart patient deteriorates or needs a cardiac check before surgery. This page covers what veterinary cardiology involves, the heart conditions treated, the diagnostics and procedures used, what to expect at an appointment, and how referrals work.
What Veterinary Cardiology Is
Veterinary cardiology is the branch of animal medicine that deals with the heart and blood vessels. It covers the diagnosis and ongoing management of heart disease in pets, from a murmur picked up at a routine check to the care of an animal in heart failure.
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A veterinary cardiologist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training in the heart and holds registered specialist status. The cardiology service at VECA is provided by the team at All Hearts, whose service is owned and operated by a veterinary cardiologist. VECA's role is to host that service within a full hospital and to provide the imaging, anaesthesia and 24/7 critical care that heart patients often need.
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The service cares for dogs and cats, the two animals most often affected by the heart conditions seen in general practice. This page is general information about the service, not a diagnosis or veterinary advice for your individual pet.
Heart Conditions We Treat
The cardiology service assesses and manages the full range of heart conditions in dogs and cats, including:
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Heart murmurs and mitral valve disease: a murmur is often the first sign, and degenerative mitral valve disease is one of the most common heart conditions in dogs.
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Cardiomyopathy and congenital defects: diseases of the heart muscle, common in cats, and heart defects that an animal is born with.
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Arrhythmias and congestive heart failure: abnormal heart rhythms, and the fluid build-up and breathing difficulty that can come when the heart is not pumping effectively.
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Referral is usually prompted by a murmur, coughing, breathlessness, fainting or collapse, or reduced tolerance for exercise. Some of these can escalate quickly, and if a heart patient deteriorates, VECA's 24/7 critical care team is on site around the clock.
Cardiac Diagnostics and Procedures
Getting an accurate picture of the heart is the first step, and the cardiology service uses a range of non-invasive diagnostics.
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
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Getting an accurate picture of the heart is the first step, and the cardiology service uses a range of non-invasive diagnostics.
ECG and Holter monitoring
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An ECG assesses the heart's rhythm and electrical activity, and a Holter monitor records it continuously over 24 to 48 hours to catch intermittent problems.
Blood pressure and chest imaging
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Doppler blood pressure measurement and chest x-rays add to the picture, all available on site.
From there, treatment is usually medical, with medication and a monitoring plan to manage the condition and support quality of life. Some cases may involve interventional procedures such as pacemaker implantation.
Cardiology services available at VECA.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Cardiology consultations at VECA are by appointment at our Campbelltown hospital. Here is roughly how a visit goes.
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Before the appointment, the team reviews your pet's history, ideally with input and any records from your regular vet, so they understand the background before you arrive.
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The examination and diagnosis: a cardiac examination and the diagnostics your pet needs, such as an echocardiogram or ECG, followed by a clear explanation of what has been found. The procedures are non-invasive, and the team keeps you informed throughout.
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Your treatment plan and monitoring: the cardiologist talks through the findings, any medication and the follow-up monitoring plan, and coordinates ongoing care with your regular vet.
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If your pet has a heart emergency, such as sudden collapse or laboured breathing, you do not need to wait for an appointment: VECA's emergency service is walk-in, 24 hours a day, at both our Campbelltown and Norwest hospitals.
Referrals and Our Team
The VECA cardiology service works for two groups: pet owners whose animal has a heart problem, and referring vets who want a cardiology option for their patients, backed by a full hospital.
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For referring vets: we welcome cardiology referrals, and the multidisciplinary setting means a referred patient has imaging, internal medicine, anaesthesia and 24/7 critical care in the same place. A common reason for referral is a pre-anaesthetic cardiac check, assessing a pet's heart before an anaesthetic or surgery, which suits a hospital that also performs surgery. The specialist cardiology work is delivered through our partners at All Hearts, and we coordinate care so your patient comes back to you.
For pet owners: because cardiology consultations are by appointment, the usual first step is a chat with your regular vet, who can refer your pet to the service.
Worried about your pet's heart? For cardiology appointments, ask your vet for a referral to VECA, or contact our team. For a heart emergency, walk in any time. Our Campbelltown and Norwest hospitals are open 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart conditions are easier to manage when they are caught early. For a veterinary cardiology appointment, ask your regular vet for a referral to VECA, or get in touch with our team. For a heart emergency, walk straight into our Campbelltown or Norwest hospital, open 24 hours a day, every day. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment advice for your individual pet.