The Importance of Veterinary Cardiology

1. Managing Common and Progressive Heart Conditions

Heart disease is very common in older pets. In dogs, the most frequently diagnosed condition is Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), often first noticed as a heart murmur -especially in small breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In cats, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart problem.
These conditions gradually worsen over time, so ongoing monitoring and tailored management are essential to help slow progression and maintain a good quality of life.

2. Early Detection and Advanced Diagnostics

Cardiology plays a key role in identifying heart problems early - sometimes before any symptoms are visible. Vets with advanced training in this area use specialised equipment such as echocardiography (heart ultrasound), electrocardiography (ECG) and Holter monitoring to assess heart structure and function in detail.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial, as conditions like MVD and HCM require very different treatment approaches.

3. Improving and Extending Quality of Life

The primary aim of cardiac care is to manage heart disease and heart failure effectively. With the right combination of medication, dietary changes and lifestyle advice - tailored to each pet’s condition - many animals can enjoy longer, more comfortable lives.
Effective cardiac management helps reduce symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties and fatigue, allowing pets to remain active and happy for as long as possible.

1. Immediate Emergency  - Seek Help Right Away

Go straight to an emergency veterinary service if your pet shows any of the following serious signs:

• Severe or laboured breathing
• Collapse or fainting
• A persistent, wet cough
• Sudden hind-limb weakness (particularly in cats)

These symptoms may indicate a life-threatening cardiac event and need urgent assessment.

2. High Priority – Book Within 1–2 Weeks

Arrange a cardiology appointment promptly if your usual vet has identified:

• Signs suggestive of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), such as a new cough, increased breathing effort or tiredness
• Stage B2 heart disease in dogs (heart enlargement but no outward symptoms)
• Any heart murmur in a cat, due to the potential risk of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Early evaluation helps guide the right treatment plan.

3. Routine/Monitoring – Book Within 4–6 Weeks

A non-urgent, routine cardiology consultation is recommended if your pet is otherwise well but:

• Has a persistent heart murmur of Grade 3/6 or higher
• Has an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) noted during a routine check
• Needs a baseline assessment for monitoring over time

Regular monitoring ensures early changes are detected and managed appropriately.

Our cardiac service is led by Veterinary Surgeon Lana, who oversees all aspects of your pet’s heart care. Lana acts as your primary cardiac care coordinator, explaining the condition clearly, guiding you through how it may progress, and supporting you with long-term monitoring and treatment plans.

Lana will continue to manage your pet’s heart condition for as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so. If your pet ever requires more advanced procedures—such as interventional treatments, pacemaker placement or management of complex heart failure—Lana will arrange referral to a board-certified veterinary cardiologist to ensure your pet receives the highest level of specialised care when needed.

A primary care vet with advanced training and additional certification in cardiology can safely manage many heart conditions that would otherwise require an immediate referral. 

At Millennium Vets, Veterinary Surgeon Lana provides this level of advanced cardiac care.  1. Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities  Lana goes far beyond basic listening to the heart or reviewing standard X-rays. She is trained to perform and interpret a range of specialised cardiac diagnostics in-house, allowing for accurate assessment and timely treatment.

What Lana Can Provide

Echocardiography (Echo) – Advanced Heart Ultrasound

Lana is able to carry out detailed heart ultrasounds in the practice. This enables her to accurately stage conditions such as Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), assess heart chamber size, and evaluate how well the heart is pumping. This is essential for deciding when to start life-extending medications.

Veterinary Heart Score (VHS) Interpretation

Using chest X-rays, Lana can precisely measure the VHS (Vertebral Heart Score) to determine whether the heart is enlarged. This is a key part of diagnosing and monitoring Stage B2 heart disease in dogs.

Electrocardiography (ECG) & Arrhythmia Management

Lana can perform and interpret ECGs to diagnose complex arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). She can safely start initial treatment to stabilise rhythm or heart rate and advise when a Holter monitor is needed for 24-hour assessment.

Blood Pressure Assessment & Management

Accurate blood pressure monitoring is especially important for cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Lana is trained to evaluate blood pressure results and tailor treatment to reduce the risk of complications such as stroke or kidney stress.

Accurate Disease Staging (ACVIM Guidelines)

Lana is able to classify heart disease - such as Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) - into the correct ACVIM stage (B1, B2, C or D) using detailed findings from murmurs, X-rays and echocardiography. This ensures owners receive clear guidance on the pet’s prognosis and the right treatment at each stage.

Starting Stage B2 Treatment

For dogs with early heart enlargement (Stage B2 MVD), Lana can confidently begin life-extending medications such as Pimobendan at exactly the right time. Early treatment in this stage has been shown to significantly delay the onset of clinical heart failure.

Stabilising Heart Failure (Stages C/D)

Although complex or refractory cases may ultimately require a cardiologist, Lana can stabilise pets experiencing Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) using multi-drug protocols including diuretics, ACE inhibitors and other cardiac medications. This rapid, knowledgeable response is often crucial in emergency or early-stage CHF cases.

Pre-Anaesthetic Cardiac Assessment

For pets needing surgery, Lana can perform detailed cardiac evaluations to identify risks and create a tailored anaesthetic plan. This helps ensure pets with underlying heart disease can undergo procedures as safely as possible.