Peace of mind for you
An established leader in veterinary cardiac care, CVCA is comprised of a team of board certified veterinary cardiologists, cardiology residents, technicians,
assistants and client service representatives who work together with you and your family veterinarian to achieve the highest level of care for your pet.  We
are also all pet owners and understand the meaningful place that our companions hold in the family.  Having loved, lost and worried about our own pets,
we integrate this understanding and compassion with expert care to provide you with the peace of mind that you need.  The passion that we have for
protecting this relationship and the well being of our pets drives everything that we do.

Compassionate, expert care for your pet
Each year, CVCA performs over 12,000 non invasive premium echocardiograms to provide the most accurate diagnosis for cardiac disease.  We use the
Philips Ie33 intelligent echocardiography systems with live 3D echo imaging to achieve superb image quality.  Our cardiologists use this equipment to
provide timely and more precise diagnosis which can translate to earlier detection and treatment for your pet.  Our board certified cardiologists have
completed three to five years of post doctoral training after graduation from veterinary school including a residency in cardiology and two years of
extensive examinations. The doctors of CVCA are Diplomates of theAmerican College of Veterinary Internal Medicine within the College of Cardiology (www.acvim.org). Our goal is to advance the understanding and treatment of the disease processes that affect veterinary cardiac patients, ultimately
improving the quality and length of their lives.  Our commitment comes from the passion that we all share for preserving the human-animal bond.

Ongoing collaboration with your primary care veterinarian  
CVCA serves as an extension of your primary care veterinarian and offers your pet optimal care through regular, continued communication with you
and with your family veterinarian. Studies in human medicine have shown improved patient survival when cardiac disease is managed by a board
certified cardiologist working in partnership with the patient’s primary care physician.  The cardiologists of CVCA feel the same is true for veterinary
patients.  Our goal is to work together to provide the longest, best quality of life for your companion. CVCA understands how important your pet is to
your family.  We appreciate the opportunity to work with your veterinarian to provide you, and your pet with optimum care.
 
How we work
CVCA is located within emergency and specialty hospitals with eight locations throughout Maryland and Virginia. We work with all of the local primary
care veterinarians to provide coordinated cardiac care to their patients. CVCA continues to communicate with your veterinarian and any other specialist
your pet sees to ensure the best care possible for your pet. CVCA is located in Annapolis, Towson, Rockville and Gaithersburg, Maryland and Vienna, Springfield,
Leesburg and Richmond, Virginia.

Community Involvement
CVCA supports several local community activities.  We are involved in many rescue groups and organizations including:

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Fredericksburg
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Oldies but Goodies Cocker Rescue
Feline Foundation
Washington Animal Welfare League
Washington Humane Society
The Henrico County Humane Society
Montgomery County Humane Society
Frederick County Humane Society
Fairfax Pets on Wheels
Cat Rescue of Maryland
Loudoun County SPCA

Richmond SPCA

We also offer cardiology services to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, the Maryland Zoo, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. 

Organized Veterinary Medicine
Many of our cardiologists are also active in local and national veterinary associations to participate in organized veterinary medicine. 

We participate actively in:

The Northern Virginia Veterinary Medical Association
The Virginia Veterinary Medical Association
The Anne Arundel Veterinary Medical Association
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Cardiology
The ACVIM Cardiology Examination Committee
The ACVIM Forum 2005 Planning Committee
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College Of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society

Research Projects
CVCA continuously participates in both multi-center and practice-based research projects to contribute to the scientific community.  CVCA is currently
participating in studies evaluating the use ofNT pro-BNP levels in determining likelihood of cardiac disease.   We are also currently conducting a study
to determine the clinical utility of biomarker cardiac Troponin I in dogs wtih pericardial effusion.   Our cardiologists are partners with the nationwide Irish
Wolfhound ECG study to evaluate long-term follow-up in these dogs.  We have a paper in print with the JAVMA describing specific attributes of the Maine
Coon echocardiographic study.  We also have submitted a grant proposal to initiate a study of Boxers and Bulldogs affected with Arrhythmogenic Right
Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.  We are currently collaborating to review our PDA surgical data and prepare a retrospective study sharing our
experience in that arena. 

Education
CVCA participates in the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Residency and Internship Programs. CVCA also welcomes externships with
veterinary students from all over the country.