Cardiology

Cardiology is the area of veterinary medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating problems related to the heart. At Nelson Vets, we offer advanced heart screenings and diagnostics to help us detect and manage heart conditions in dogs, cats, and even rabbits. Every pet we see is unique, so we tailor our care to suit their individual needs—whether it's monitoring a heart murmur or managing long-term heart disease.

We're also incredibly lucky to have Dr Melanie on our team. She has a special interest in cardiology, wrote her thesis on echocardiography, and has been helping pets with heart conditions since 2002. Her experience and gentle approach mean your pet is in safe hands.

Dr Mel with her dog, Freddy

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are a quick, non-invasive way to assess your pet’s heart rhythm and electrical activity. They’re especially useful for detecting arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, which can sometimes be difficult to notice without testing. During an ECG, small electrodes are placed on your pet’s limbs and/or chest while they rest comfortably, and the entire process typically takes just a few minutes. The results help us identify issues like heart block, atrial fibrillation, or other rhythm disturbances that may require further treatment or monitoring.

Echocardiograms, also known as cardiac ultrasounds, provide a detailed look at the heart’s structure and function in real time. They allow us to evaluate the size of the heart chambers, the motion of the heart walls, and how well the valves are opening and closing. It’s essential for diagnosing conditions like heart murmurs, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, or fluid buildup around the heart. Most pets tolerate the procedure well without sedation, and the results help us create a clear, personalised treatment plan to support your pet’s heart health.