Our Community

Our excitement levels are mounting as our doors will be opening very soon. But before we greet our first patients, we have a few more introductions we would like to do. Today, let’s take you to our Cardiology Service to meet the wonderful Heidi.

Our Cardiology Service cares for patients with heart conditions including those that were present at birth (congenital), those that develop with age, or those that cause disturbances in the regular beating of the heart (rhythm disturbances, dysrhythmias). The majority of these conditions can be diagnosed by performing an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography), electrocardiography (ECG) and radiographic evaluation of the cardio-respiratory system (chest x-rays). Treatment of heart conditions is provided either by medication or by performing interventional procedures called catheter interventions.

At The Ralph, our Cardiology Service will provide investigation and management for all types of congenital and acquired canine and feline heart diseases. These include but are not limited to:

• Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic congestive heart failure
• Congenital disorders (including patent ductus arteriosus, aortic and pulmonic stenosis, dysplasia of the mitral and tricuspid valves, ventricular septal defects and other anomalies)
• Chronic degenerative valvular disease in dogs (i.e. myxomatus mitral valve disease)
• Canine and feline myocardial (heart muscle) disorders (i.e. cardiomyopathies and myocarditis)
• Pericardial diseases (i.e. pericardial effusions and cardiac neoplasia)
• Feline arterial thromboembolism
• Cardiac dysrhythmias
• Recurrent falling and fainting

This will all be facilitated by an extensive range of specialist equipment – including colour and spectral Doppler Echocardiography, thoracic radiography, 6” and 12” lead digital ECG recording, 24/48 hour ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitoring, Implantable Loop Recorders, High Definition Oscillometry Blood Pressure Monitoring, Interventional cardiology, Tele-cardiology.

Our Cardiology referral team will be working alongside the Internal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) and General Surgery teams in cases requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. The ECC and Internal Medicine teams are fully trained to manage life-threatening cardiac emergencies which arise outside of Cardiology clinic hours.

Our Cardiology Service is very happy to provide advice on all aspects of cardio-respiratory medicine, either over the telephone or via email.

The Cardiology Service is led by the wonderful Heidi. Let’s find out a bit more about Heidi…

Making it all possible…

Heidi Ferasin

Heidi graduated from the University of Bristol in 2005. After a period working in mixed general practice in Surrey and Kent, she joined the small animal department at a large clinic in Berkshire in 2009, where Heidi worked for 3 years. Having always had a strong interest in cardiology, Heidi studied towards the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology, which was awarded in 2010. Heidi is an Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Cardiology and has participated in a variety of international research projects relating to both canine and feline cardiology and canine exercise studies, contributing to the veterinary literature with publications within these fields. Heidi is passionate about all areas of cardiology. She also enjoys teaching and, in addition to her clinical work, regularly provides cardiology and echocardiography training for vets and vet nurses.

Heidi lives in rural Hampshire with her husband (also a veterinary cardiologist), and their two young children and cat, Tosca.

Heidi enjoys foreign travel and learning about new places and cultures, outdoor pursuits, including skiing and hiking with her family. Heidi is a lover of good food and wine and takes great pleasure in cooking, baking and entertaining in general. Heidi likes music, dance and theatre and can often be found dancing around the kitchen to her favourite tunes! Her dislikes include cleaning her childrens’ muddy football kit!

Heidi’s greatest achievement to date is being a mum to two amazing and special little boys, and her favourite quote is “Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost” – Kahlil Gibran

Thanks for taking the time to read about our Cardiology Service, and stay tuned for our next service blog.  

Take care,

The Ralph Team