When it comes to keeping your pet healthy, there are more ways than ever to get the best care. The field of veterinary medicine is becoming more specialized, and just as there are specialists for human conditions like heart disease, many veterinarians choose to focus on specific areas to provide advanced care for their patients.
Not surprisingly, one of those veterinary specialties is in the field of cardiology. A board-certified veterinary cardiologist is a specialist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including:
Whether you've been referred to a cardiac specialist by your veterinarian or are seeking answers to your pet's condition on your own, it's essential to evaluate any specialist carefully before committing to care for your pet. One of the criteria to consider is whether the specialist is board-certified.
Here are just a few reasons that choosing a board-certified veterinary cardiologist can help your pet live longer, experience a better quality of life, and provide you with peace of mind.
Veterinarians who undergo advanced training to become board-certified vet cardiologists go the extra mile to demonstrate their passion and commitment to their field, as well as to the welfare of the pets they serve.
To become a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, a veterinarian must complete three years of cardiac-specific training. The veterinarian must pass two extensive examinations in both general veterinary internal medicine and veterinary cardiology during these three years. Completing this rigorous program also demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience that is invaluable to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Board-certified veterinary cardiologists work with patients with heart conditions every single day, so they are more likely to narrow down a general condition into a more specific diagnosis far more quickly. This enables your pet to start treatment sooner and recover more rapidly. In fact, patients with congestive heart failure live 75% longer when co-managed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and their primary care veterinarian.
Board-certified cardiologists utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and equipment, allowing them to perform specialized diagnostic tests that can better pinpoint the specifics of your dog or cat's condition. Additionally, board-certified veterinary cardiologists employ technicians trained in understanding the unique needs of veterinary cardiac patients.
Our vet cardiologists not only perform this advanced testing in-office but can also interpret the results at the time of the testing, giving you a more expedited diagnosis. Contrary to this, telemedicine or radiologists often do not have access to full results within a few days.
As a pet owner, you want to do everything possible to keep your dog or cat safe and healthy. But when problems arise, it's comforting to know you and your pet are in good hands. Choosing a board-certified veterinary cardiologist—like those at CVCA—is a great way to ensure your pet gets the right care when they need it most.
If you're looking for a board-certified veterinary cardiologist in Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, or Virginia, CVCA is here for you. Our team sees more pets with heart disease than any other practice worldwide! We work with your primary care veterinarian to ensure the best results for your pet.
