Cardio-respiratory referrals are seen by Gavin McAulay RCVS Diplomate in Veterinary Cardiology, Cert EM (Int Med) CertVC BVetMed MRCVS.
The most common indications for cardio-respiratory referral include:
- Assessment of murmurs and arrhythmias
- Investigation of exercise intolerance, weakness and collapse
- Reassessment and management of long-term cardiac cases
- Treatment of pericardial and pleural effusions
- Investigation of nasal discharge and bleeding
- Investigation of cough
- Breed screening for heart disease
- Pre-anaesthetic risk assessment
- Radiology and ECG reading for referring vets
Assessment of cardiac and respiratory requires specific examination skills and specialist equipment including echocardiography, ECG, CT and bronchoscopy. Heart and lung disease often occur together and we recommend that cases with respiratory signs are seen by the cardio-respiratory service initially because initial findings often guide general anaesthesia and further investigation.
Refer a patient
For routine referrals your vet will need to fill in our online referrals form and we we’ll contact you directly to schedule an appointment.
If you’re a client of New Priory Vets Brighton or Peacehaven clinics or your pet has been admitted to Priory Emergency Treatment Services we can organise this directly via the general practice or emergency vets.
If you’d like to discuss how Gavin may be able to assist you with a case, please contact referrals@new-priory.com or if your case is urgent in nature please contact us on 01273 540430.
ONLINE REFERRALS FORMAdvice for Owners
Local vets commonly refer patients presenting with symptoms relating to the heart or lungs for clinical examination by our cardiologist Gavin McAulay. Anxieties about heart and breathing disease in cats and dogs are common but making an accurate diagnosis and deciding on the best treatment can be challenging. After examining your pet Gavin will discuss the significance of the results with you to determine the most appropriate treatment options.
If your pet is has difficulty breathing, appears distressed or is collapsing this is always of concern and we recommend you contact your vet as soon as possible.
In the event your pet has been referred to us for cardio-respiratory investigation, we have included some helpful advice to help you know what to expect. Although many owners are concerned about general anaesthetic many cardio-respiratory investigations do not require sedation or general anaesthetic.
READ OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS