Specialist-Guided Cardiology
Transparent Pricing: £995
Heart disease is more common in pets than many owners realise. Around 10–15% of dogs and cats will develop some form of heart condition in their lifetime, and the risk increases with age, affecting up to 75% of older dogs and around 30% of older cats. Left undetected, many of these conditions can progress to congestive heart failure in dogs, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively and fluid begins to build up in the lungs or abdomen. Because heart disease can progress quietly, early detection makes a meaningful difference to long-term health and quality of life.
Some signs of heart disease may include heart murmurs, changes in breathing, coughing, reduced stamina or even fainting episodes, and in more advanced cases, these can be indicators of congestive heart failure in dogs. Certain breeds are also more predisposed, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Toy Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Dobermans, Great Danes and Boxers. In cats, breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, British Shorthairs and Sphynx cats carry a higher risk too, particularly of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle that is the most common feline heart condition.
Many responsible breeders now include cardiac screening as part of their pre-breeding health checks, and several pedigree associations actively recommend routine heart scans.
Specialist Cardiology Ultrasound And Workup
A Specialist Experience, Close to Home
A specialist-guided echocardiogram takes around 60 minutes and is carried out right here in your local clinic. This service offers the same expert insight you'd receive at a referral centre, but with the familiar surroundings your pet is comfortable in, and typically at a lower cost. You'll receive results promptly, along with a personalised treatment plan tailored to your pet's needs, helping you make confident decisions about their ongoing care.
Our cardiology assessments combine Echocardiography (heart ultrasound) and Electrocardiography (ECG). These tools allow us to assess how the heart is built, how it moves and how it conducts electrical signals. They help us diagnose murmurs, rhythm irregularities and a wide range of cardiac conditions, including congestive heart failure in dogs and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with accuracy and clarity. Because most heart disease develops before symptoms appear, ultrasound screening can be genuinely life-changing, allowing us to intervene early and improve long-term outcomes.
Specialist Input in Real Time
We use advanced ultrasound equipment connected directly to Virtual Veterinary Specialists (VVS) through a live video link. A cardiology specialist joins the scan remotely, guiding our team and interpreting images in real time. This means your pet benefits from specialist-level expertise without the stress of long journeys, unfamiliar hospitals or being separated from the veterinary team they already know and trust.
Learn about our complete in-house diagnostic imaging capabilities, available in each of our clinics.