Cardiology

Cardiology is a branch of medicine that specialises in the diagnosing and treating of heart conditions. At Nelson Vets we we offer advanced diagnostics to help identify and manage heart issues in dogs, cats—even rabbits—with care tailored to each individual pet. We are very fortunate to have Dr Melanie on our team, who wrote her thesis on echocardiography and has been diagnosing and treating patients with heart disease since graduating in 2002.

 

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.