Vet Cardiology and Vet Cardiologist Services in Milsons Point
Pet Medical Milsons Point provides vet cardiology and vet cardiologist services from our clinic at 28 Alfred Street South, Milsons Point NSW 2061. We see cardiac patients from across the Lower North Shore, including Kirribilli, Lavender Bay, McMahons Point, Waverton, North Sydney, Cammeray, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Crows Nest, St Leonards and Artarmon.
Cardiac work-ups are arranged by appointment. Call us to arrange an assessment for your dog or cat.
Cardiology is an area of veterinary medicine involving the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired heart diseases in animals.
Diagnosis of heart disease can be complex and require a series of diagnostic tools and techniques. Typically, a full assessment involves a series of steps to ensure that your pet is properly assessed and receives the right diagnosis.
Veterinary Cardiology at Pet Medical Milsons Point
Heart disease is one of the most common serious health conditions in dogs and cats. It can affect pets of any age and breed, although certain breeds carry a higher genetic predisposition to cardiac conditions. Early diagnosis and regular monitoring are critical to managing heart disease effectively and maintaining your pet’s quality of life for as long as possible.
Pet Medical Milsons Point offers dedicated veterinary cardiology services, including cardiac examinations by our veterinary team, specialist cardiology consultations with our visiting cardiologist, and advanced diagnostic imaging to assess your pet’s heart health comprehensively.
What Is Veterinary Cardiology?
Veterinary cardiology is the branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of heart and cardiovascular conditions in animals. A vet cardiologist has specialist training in cardiac imaging, interpretation of heart sounds and rhythms, and the management of cardiac medications and treatment plans.
At Pet Medical Milsons Point, cardiac cases are worked up by our own veterinary team, and echocardiograms are performed and interpreted in collaboration with veterinary cardiologists who consult at our Milsons Point clinic. This means your pet receives specialist-level cardiac assessment without leaving the practice that already knows their history.
Cardiac Conditions We Diagnose and Manage
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)
Mitral valve disease is the most common heart condition in dogs, particularly in small breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Poodles. It involves the progressive deterioration of the mitral valve, which regulates blood flow between the chambers of the heart. Our veterinary team, in collaboration with cardiology specialists, can diagnose MVD through auscultation and echocardiography and recommend appropriate management strategies tailored to your dog’s stage of disease.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle weakens, and the heart chambers enlarge, reducing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. It is more commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs. Early detection through routine cardiac screening can significantly improve outcomes.
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac condition in cats, characterised by a thickening of the heart muscle walls. Many cats with HCM show no clinical signs until the condition is advanced. Regular cardiac screening, particularly in at-risk breeds such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, is highly recommended.
Arrhythmias and Conduction Disorders
Abnormal heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias, can range from clinically insignificant to life-threatening. An expert cardiologist can assess arrhythmias through electrocardiography (ECG) and recommend appropriate management where needed.
What does a work-up entail?
- Physical examination
- Baseline X-rays and blood tests
- Electrocardiography (ECG) to monitor your pet’s heart rhythm
- Echocardiography to assess the structure and function of their heart
Once a diagnosis is reached, treatment options may include medications, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, or referral to specialists for surgical intervention.
Regular follow-up visits to assess how your pet is responding to treatment allows us to make any necessary adjustments if required. Ultimately, we work closely with you to provide the care required to help your pet maintain the highest quality of life possible.
Cardiology Services Available at Pet Medical Milsons Point
- Cardiac auscultation: Detailed examination of heart sounds to identify murmurs, arrhythmias, and other abnormalities.
- Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound): Non-invasive imaging of the heart’s structure and function. The gold standard for diagnosing most cardiac conditions in pets.
- Electrocardiography (ECG): Recording of the heart’s electrical activity to identify rhythm disorders.
- Blood pressure measurement: Particularly important for cats with suspected hypertension, which can be associated with cardiac disease.
- Specialist cardiac consultations: In-depth review of your pet’s cardiac history, current status, and treatment plan.
- Ongoing cardiac monitoring: Regular check-ups and medication management for pets already diagnosed with heart disease.
- On-site equipment: echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) and digital radiography are available at our Milsons Point clinic, so most cardiac workups can be completed in one visit without referral to an external hospital.
Signs That Your Pet May Have a Heart Condition
It is important to seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog or cat shows any of the following signs, as they may indicate underlying cardiac disease:
- Coughing, especially at night or after exercise
- Difficulty breathing or breathing faster than normal at rest
- Reduced exercise tolerance or tiring more quickly than usual
- Fainting or collapsing
- Abdominal distension (fluid accumulation)
- Reduced appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Pale or bluish gums
If your pet is showing any of these signs, please contact Pet Medical Milsons Point as soon as possible for an assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Cardiology
Your regular vet may refer your pet to a vet cardiologist if they detect a heart murmur, an irregular heartbeat, or if your pet is showing symptoms of cardiac disease, such as coughing, breathlessness, or exercise intolerance. Some breeds are also routinely screened for heart conditions due to their genetic predisposition.
During a cardiac consultation at Pet Medical Milsons Point, our veterinary team will review your pet’s history and examine the heart and lungs. Where an echocardiogram or a specialist opinion is indicated, this is carried out with our visiting cardiology specialist. You will receive a thorough explanation of the findings and a clear management plan.
While most cardiac conditions in pets cannot be cured, they can often be managed very effectively with medication and lifestyle adjustments. Many pets with heart disease live comfortable, happy lives for months or years after diagnosis with appropriate care. The key is early detection and consistent monitoring, which is exactly what our cardiology service is designed to provide.
No referral is required. You can contact us directly to arrange a cardiac assessment. If your regular vet has already detected a heart murmur or an irregular rhythm, bring any records, radiographs or test results with you so we do not repeat work that has already been done.
The cost depends on which tests your pet needs. A cardiac consultation and physical examination is the starting point, and from there an echocardiogram, radiographs or blood tests may be recommended. We will always explain what is being recommended and why, and give you an estimate before proceeding.
“We know that matters of the heart can be complex, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.”
Feedback From Our Valued Clients
I like that Pet Medical always have the animals best interest at heart and have achievable suggestions for improvements with the cats. Great to deal with Jo is always. Always care for the cats and keep them calm
Amazing service and very thorough and you can tell they really care about the animals, wouldn’t take my Luna anywhere else.
I thank you – to all the staff at Pet Medical Milsons Point for being so caring and personable. You have made every visit with my dog Bijou special – going above and beyond in all you do with the best of care – and we very much appreciate it!