The aim of residency training is to promote aptitude and clinical proficiency in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of companion animals with internal medicine and particularly cardiovascular diseases.

A Specialist in Cardiology has sound knowledge of basic sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, pathology) of the cardiovascular system in health and disease. They are able to recognise and investigate internal medicine problems but typical cases may include animals presenting with coughing, dyspnoea, heart murmurs, decreased endurance, episodic weakness or syncope or those requiring interventional treatment.

A Specialist in Cardiology can:

• Perform physical and laboratory diagnosis, management and prognosis of cardiovascular disease of all companion animals.
• Perform or interpret specialized laboratory studies used in the examination of cardiovascular disease. These include:
  • Cardiovascular auscultation and phonocardiography
  • Pulse rate and pressure recordings
  • Electrocardiography and interpretation
  • Echocardiography – M-mode, two-dimensional, and pulsed, continuous-wave, and colour flow Doppler examinations.
  • Cardiac catheterization techniques, interpretation of pressure tracings, blood gases and oximetry
  • Cardiovascular radiography, including angiography and other contrast studies.
  • Nuclear cardiology – understanding the principles of scintigraphy in studies of perfusion, cardiac dynamics, and shunts.
• Perform cardiovascular interventional procedures