Description
AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access. Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles
Module 1
Canine and Feline Heart Disease
Module one introduces the foundations of common cardiac diseases seen in dogs and cats. It covers classification, staging and treatment of heart diseases. It also discusses nursing recommendations for the asymptomatic patient with heart disease to the patient with acute life threatening heart failure.
- Definitions and terminology
- Canine heart diseases
- Myxomatous mitral valve disease
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- Feline heart diseases
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Nursing protocols for heart disease and heart failure
- Aortic thromboembolism
Module 2
Diagnostic Tests
Module two delves into the practical aspects of what tests might be needed and why. It will discuss how to work with a patient that may or may not be cardiovascularly stable, but also to understand the importance of producing reliable and repeatable results.
- Auscultation
- Blood pressure
- Radiographs
- Echocardiography
- Blood sampling
Module 3
ECG Interpretation
Module three focuses on how to take and record an electrocardiogram (ECG), and analyse the sinus (normal) complex. From that solid base, abnormalities of the conduction system will be discussed, alongside treatment that may be necessary.
- What is an ECG and how to take one
- The sinus complex
- Questions to use for interpretation
- Common arrhythmias
- What is a life threatening arrhythmia and how to treat it
Module 4
Sedation and Anaesthesia
Finally, module four addresses the concerns commonly faced when needing to anaesthetise patients with heart disease. It looks at drugs recommended for use, suggests those to avoid, and possible complications that may occur.
- Planning and aims of anaesthesia
- Drugs used for pre-med, induction and maintenance
- Monitoring and complications
- Drugs for sedation
- Cardiac supporting drugs
The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of:
8 hours of CPD (UK)
8 points (Australia and New Zealand)
8 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number awaiting approval)
Release date: Apr 2026
Speaker

Charlotte Pace BA (Hons), RVN, VTS (Cardiology), PGCert (VetEd), FHEA
Cardiology Nurse
Charlotte qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003, whilst working in practice in London. In the same year she moved to the Royal Veterinary College to work as a medicine nurse. In 2006 she became the dedicated cardiology nurse for the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. In 2010 she passed American veterinary technician exams and became the first nurse to hold the Cardiology qualification outside the US. From 2012 to 2015 she taught degree and diploma level veterinary nurses, and now enjoys working in busy private practice.
CPD Hours
This online course is worth 8 hours of CPD.
A certificate will be available from the ‘My Courses’ section, for you to download and print, once you have completed the course. A permanent record of your total CPD hours will also be recorded in your account section.
AVNAT
Australia and New Zealand
The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 8 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.
This course is also recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) as providing 8 CPD points.

Levels
This course has been listed as ‘Introduction’ level
All of our courses are aimed at veterinary nurses in general practice, but everyone who works in the veterinary profession is very welcome to attend, whether you are a clinical receptionist, veterinary surgeon, student nurse or have been a qualified nurse for over 20 years!
The courses are not formally assessed for skill level, so the following CPD levels are just a rough guide to help you decide if a course may be more or less suitable:
Introduction
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice approaching a new topic or looking for a refresher course
Intermediate
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice along with referral / specialist nurses looking for a refresher course
Advanced
– maybe most suitable for referral / specialist nurses and highly experienced qualified nurses in general practice
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