CardioRespiratory Pet Referrals Victoria (CPR Victoria) provides state-of-the-art cardiology and respiratory services including: 

• Interpretation of thoracic radiographs and electrocardiograms (ECGs) submitted by veterinary colleagues, with advice on management, or prior to referral
• Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) with spectral & colour flow Doppler: state-of-the-art imaging as part of the normal investigation of heart disease along with conventional chest X-rays and ECG recording
• Holter (24hr ECG) investigation of episodic collapse/weakness and for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of arrhythmias
• Digital radiography
• Fluoroscopy
• Artificial pacemaker treatment for symptomatic bradyarrhythmias (slow heart rate) e.g. complete heart block or sick sinus syndrome
• Drainage of pericardial effusions, sometimes followed by surgical removal of the pericardium (performed by the surgery department)
• Minimally invasive surgical treatment of certain congenital cardiac defects such as canine ductal occluder placement for patent ductus arteriosus and balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis.
• Heart testing certificates for breeding dogs and cats (auscultation and Doppler echocardiography) in line with current breed recommendations.

Echocardiography
CPR Victoria is equipped with a state-of-the-art cardiac specific ultrasound machine with Colour flow, spectral, and tissue Doppler capabilities. This machine is the ONLY dedicated mobile veterinary echocardiography machine in Victoria. Echocardiography is the mainstay of cardiac diagnostics as it allows for both structural and functional evaluation of the heart.

Electrocardiography
We perform ECGs when appropriate. Although insensitive for the diagnosis of heart enlargement, the electrocardiogram is the gold standard in arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) diagnosis and management.

Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis is performed when there is fluid accumulation between the heart and the sac that surrounds the heart (the pericardium). Performance of an echocardiogram prior to pericardiocentesis is often critical in cases of pericardial effusion. Pericardial fluid highlights soft tissue masses facilitating the diagnosis of neoplasia.

Holter monitoring
This 24 hour ambulatory ECG is ideal for the evaluation of tachyarrhythmias (fast heart beats). The holter exam may influence whether to treat some arrhythmias and greatly aids in their management. The holter may be worn home by the patient so that he/she may be evaluated in their home environment.

Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is used for conscious assessment of the airways and cardiac catheterisation. Cardiac catheterisation procedures include pacemaker implantation, PDA occlusion, and balloon valvuloplasty.

Digital Radiography (x-rays)
Digital x-rays allow for rapid and detailed image acquisition which not only greatly decreases the time and therefore stress associated with taking x-rays but also enables high resolution imaging for more accurate diagnoses.

Cardiac catheterisation
Fluoroscopy is used for cardiac catheterisation and is best described as “real time x-rays”.  This makes it possible to visualise catheters as they move through the heart.  CPR Victoria offers the following non-invasive procedures: pacemaker implantation, PDA occlusion, balloon valvuloplasty, angiography and other advanced cardiac catheterisations.