Veterinary Cardiology Adelaide

Veterinary Cardiology for Dogs and Cats

Cardiology is the discipline of diagnosing and treating heart conditions such as congenital defects, valvular disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

Echocardiography is essential to diagnose both structural and functional cardiac disease in dogs and cats. Echo is paired with electrocardiography (ECG), and Holter monitoring to accurately assess arrhythmogenic disease and help guide and monitor treatment. A combined approach of careful clinical examination, evaluation of the patient and diagnostic testing enables the accurate identification of heart diseases and the development of effective treatment plans, ensuring optimal health and longevity for your pets.

Veterinary cardiology assessment for a dog or cat in Adelaide

Experience

3000+ echocardiography examinations performed

Dr Woodruff has extensive experience in both the diagnosis and management of cardiac disease in dogs and cats, having performed over 3000 echo examinations and managing clinical cardiac patients in referral and emergency practice for over 12 years.

Our cardiology services

Cardiac diagnostic services we offer

Echocardiography

Echocardiography, also known as cardiac ultrasound or echo, is a non-invasive imaging technique employed to evaluate the heart's structure and function. Utilising sound waves, it provides detailed images of the heart's chambers, valves, and blood flow. Echocardiography is essential for the assessment of cardiac diseases including conditions such as cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, congenital heart defects and cardiac neoplasia.

Thorough assessment of the heart requires standard black and white imaging (B-mode and M-mode) together with the use of colour Doppler and both pulse wave and continuous wave Doppler to assess blood flow. As for abdominal ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound can be used to guide drainage of fluid from the pericardial sac or pleural space.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Electrocardiography, or ECG, is utilised to record the electrical activity of the heart over a short period of time. This modality is non-invasive and can accurately diagnose common arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, AV block, ventricular premature contractions and ventricular tachycardia.

ECG is also essential to guide and monitor the appropriate treatment of arrhythmias. ECG is commonly utilised at the same time as echocardiography.

Holter Monitor Recording

A Holter Monitor provides a non-invasive way to record the heart and rhythm for up to 72 hours. Usually used for a continuous 24-hour period, Holter Monitors are used to diagnose intermittent arrhythmias, investigate cardiac causes of syncope or assess breeds predisposed to ventricular arrhythmias.

Holter monitor recording is also used to monitor the effectiveness of anti-arrhythmic treatment for the various arrhythmias. Our Holter Monitor recordings are assessed and reported with assistance from a specialist cardiologist when necessary.