Why Home Monitoring is the Heart of Cardiology
17th June 2026
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How do you really monitor a patient’s heart disease once they have left the room?
With the growing availability of in-house diagnostics, many small animal practices are now equipped to investigate cardiac cases more thoroughly than ever before. But knowing which tests to choose, how to optimise them, and how to interpret the results accurately remains a challenge – particularly when time and resources are limited.
While referral often provides the clearest route to diagnosis and treatment planning, it’s not always feasible. Some clients may be unable to pursue it, and in many cases, you’re already comfortable performing the core diagnostics. But when results are unclear, unexpected, or you’re unsure of the next step – what then?
The team of Specialist Cardiologists at HeartVets offer remote case support wherever you are in the world. We review diagnostic tests – such as thoracic radiographs, echo loops, and ECGs – and provide tailored advice to support your clinical decision-making. We can also assist with full case reviews, helping you interpret findings, refine diagnoses, and optimise treatment plans.
Our goal is to work alongside you to provide patient-specific recommendations that consider the specific needs of every animal, the client’s budget, and your practice’s capabilities. It’s a compassionate, collaborative approach that enhances patient care while building clinical confidence – without the pressure of a formal referral. It is an excellent way to learn alongside your cases too!
For practices wanting to expand their diagnostic offering, we also provide an international Holter (ambulatory ECG) service for cats and dogs, as well as user-friendly ECG kits shipped directly to your clinic at no up-front cost, complete with guidance and technical support. And for those looking to improve their equipment, we’ve developed cost-effective, practical cardiology tools designed specifically for general practice use.
Whether you’re looking for a second opinion, help with interpreting a tricky case, or the tools to do more in-house – we’re here to support you, every step of the way.
Get help with your cardiology case
How do you really monitor a patient’s heart disease once they have left the room?
BVSc DVC MRCVS RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology
Jo Harris is one of our Directors, and is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cardiology. She joined HeartVets in 2009 and is based in Exeter, where she offers regular clinics, as well as a number of visiting referral clinics throughout the south west. Jo has been working in purely cardiology referral practice for the majority of her career and is regularly involved in CPD provision to vets and and cardiologists locally and nationally, and has also presented at several international meetings. Jo has a particular interest in arrhythmias and her research includes Holter monitoring in canine preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy. Jo has developed the Holter monitoring department at HeartVets, which is now the largest veterinary Holter service of its kind, offering Holter monitor rental, analysis and equipment to vets all over the world. Jo is one of our interventional cardiac surgeons, and is also on the approved Veterinary Cardiovascular Society pre-breeding heart screening panels for auscultation and Doppler echocardiography.