Heart Screening

Pre-breeding Heart Screening

Heart screening must be performed by an experienced cardiologist who is approved by the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society.  Jo Harris, Dave Dickson and Julia Sargent are all RCVS Recognised Cardiology Specialists who are approved members of the VCS Heart Testing panel.

Results are discussed and a certificate is supplied for every heart test immediately after the appointment, and these findings are then shared with the relevant breed club or organisation (and may be published online), depending on individual breed requirements.

When attending a Heart Testing appointment you must bring your dog or cat’s pedigree and any registration documents, e.g. Kennel Club certificate (which must include microchip number).

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There are several Heart Testing schemes run in association with breed clubs and the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society, which are recommended prior to breeding dogs from the following breeds:

  • Boxer
  • Bull Terrier
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
    (new scheme in association
    with the Kennel Club)
  • Deerhound
  • Doberman
  • Field Spaniel
  • Flatcoated Retriever
  • French Bulldog
  • German Wirehaired Pointer
  • Golden Retriever
  • Irish Wolfhound
  • Japanese Chin
  • Minature Bull Terrier
  • Newfoundland
  • Pekingese
  • Whippet

Schemes are also in place for testing some cats of certain breeds for HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) which is a genetic heart muscle disease affecting cats of any age and breed.

Feline heart testing always requires a Doppler ultrasound scan to carefully measure thickness of the heart walls and measure the blood flow in and out of the heart. Sedation may be required for anxious cats as we do need them to be fairly still!

Many breeds are affected including Bengal, Birman, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Persian, Ragdoll and Sphynx.

Heart Testing days

Heart Screening examinations are performed at our dedicated Heart Screening days. If you wish to attend one of our Heart Screening Days, please use the below form to register and select a clinic location.

  • Please note once booked in we will send across an invoice, which must be settled in full in advance of your appointment.