Do I need a cardiologist to diagnose heart issues in my dog?

We do rely on our board-certified cardiologists, and we offer that referral. But we can detect many problems, and by doing the limited echos here, we can provide a lot of information on why the pet has heart disease, what type of heart disease, and start the medication to help improve that quality of life.

No, you don't need a cardiologist to diagnose heart issues with your dog. However, it's always an option and often a good idea. A general practitioner can diagnose a number of cardiac diseases, and for those that we cannot diagnose, we are happy to refer to a specialist.