Cardiology

Commitment to Education and Contributing New Knowledge to Patient Care

Research and education is vital to providing state-of-the-art care. Our cardiology service benefits from active clinical research programs that work toward developing more effective and compassionate therapies for heart and lung diseases. Our cardiologists also participate in, conduct and lead continuing education programs for veterinarians.

Symptoms of Heart or Respiratory Disease

Our cardiologists provide your pets with comprehensive diagnosis and management of heart and respiratory disorders. Pets with any of the following symptoms may benefit from cardiology care:

• Coughing
• Breathing problems or shortness of breath
• Heart murmurs
• Heart failure
• Irregular heart rate (arrhythmias)
• Weakness from heart or lung disease, fainting, or collapse
• Congenital cardiac birth disorders
• Acquired heart disease
• Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)

Pets with heart or respiratory conditions receive added benefits from a cardiology consultation:

• Cardiac consultation includes strategies for prevention of heart failure
• Efforts are dedicated to assure safe and effective long-term health management of pets with heart disease
• Care is focused to improve and maintain quality of life

Diagnostic Procedures

Non-invasive technologies are used to safely and rapidly evaluate pets with suspected heart or lung disease:

• Echocardiography, doppler echocardiography utilizes sound waves to safely image the heart, its valves, assess blood flow, determine the cause of heart murmurs and assess the strength and health of the heart muscle and its chambers
• Radiography provides essential information about the chest and all contained within
• Electrocardiography (ECG) and Holter ECG recordings assess the heart rate, rhythm and potential irregularities (arrhythmias)
• Laboratory blood tests are used to evaluate kidney function, thyroid status and other important parameters
• Specialized tests are emerging that indicate both the presence and severity of heart disease. AMC Cardiologists are working with scientists to use and study biochemical tests, such as NT-proBNP, to gain insights about cardiac health

Minimally Invasive and Interventional Procedures

Cardiology performs pacemaker implantation for dogs and cats whose heart rate is low and requires assistance. Certain congenital heart defects can be corrected or improved by interventional procedures, including patent ductus arteriosus (ductal occlusion), congenital pulmonic stenosis (balloon valvuloplasty), and others.

Assessment for Risk of Anesthesia

Many pets who require anesthesia have heart or respiratory conditions. These animals can benefit from a Cardiology Consultation – it allows us to assess potential risks and work with the surgical team to plan the best and safest methods.

Board Certified Cardiologists

Our Board Certified Cardiologists have four years of extensive post graduate training in this speciality following four years of veterinary college. They are experts who provide specialized diagnosis and care for heart and respiratory conditions. Drs. Betsy Bond and Philip Fox are each certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, sub-specialty of Cardiology. In addition, Dr. Fox is certified by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Companion Animal, subspecialty of Cardiology, and the American College of Veterinary  Emergency and Critical Care. Both Dr. Bond and Dr. Fox each have more than 25 years experience, serving the community to help dogs and cats who have heart and lung diseases.