Cardiac resources for pets available online

A newly formed group of board-certified veterinary cardiologists has rolled out an online library of cardiology resources and guidelines for veterinarians in general practice.

In June the nonprofit Cardiac Education Group began posting educational information on diagnosing and treating heart disease in dogs at www.cardiaceducationgroup.org. The website will be updated throughout the year and will eventually include topics related to cats.

Interactive learning tools relating to clinical cases are featured on the website, which includes audio and video resources, such as heart sounds and an interactive X-ray viewer. Downloadable guidelines for treating dogs affected with heart disease are also available.

In addition, veterinarians can earn continuing education credits for the coursework through the Registry of Approved Continuing Education.

Cardiac Education Group founding member Dr. John Bonagura, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, says the website will help bring "cardiology into practice" by providing educational materials and other tools that help veterinarians more efficiently and accurately diagnose and treat congestive heart failure in dogs and cats.

"Nearly 60 percent of aged dogs are at risk for developing CHF, which makes this an important condition for practitioners to effectively address," said Dr. Bonagura, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The CEG comprises six independent veterinary cardiologists from both academia and private practice. "The members of the Cardiac Education Group offer a tremendous amount of practical experience on this topic," Dr. Bonagura said. "We are pleased to offer a resource that can provide best practices in managing dogs and cats with heart disease."

The Cardiac Education Group is currently funded through educational grants from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. and IDEXX Laboratories Inc.