How to Become a Veterinary Cardiologist: Residency, Salary & Jobs

Cardiology looks great from general practice. The cases are interesting, the echo skills are in demand, and every murmur you refer to is a reminder of what the specialty offers.

It takes at least 8 to 9 years from the start of vet school. The residency is competitive; you have to log 500 echocardiograms, and two ACVIM exams stand between you and the title.

This guide breaks down how to become a veterinary cardiologist, what to expect in terms of salary and job opportunities, and the realities of the field.

If you're considering specializing in veterinary cardiology, here’s what you need to know to pursue a career.

What is a Veterinary Cardiologist?

A veterinary cardiologist is a veterinarian who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in animals.

To become a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, you’ll need to complete an ACVIM-approved cardiology residency and pass the required certification exams.

These include:

• The general internal medicine examination
• The cardiology specialty examination

After meeting these requirements, veterinarians earn the title Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology).

In simple terms, cardiology is a specialty within ACVIM, rather than a separate veterinary specialty college.

What Veterinary Cardiologists Do

A veterinary cardiologist job includes examining the heart, interpreting echocardiograms and ECGs, and deciding on the best treatment for each patient. They also work closely with referring veterinarians to discuss test results and plan the next steps. Depending on their training and workplace, they may perform procedures such as pacemaker implantation or balloon valvuloplasty. Much of the job comes down to finding the cause of a heart problem, understanding how it affects the animal, and choosing a treatment plan that fits the patient’s needs.

Here comes a question.

Do veterinary cardiologists perform surgery?

The answer is no, not usually.

They focus on heart conditions and specialized procedures. Veterinary cardiology procedures are cardiovascular and largely minimally invasive, and surgery itself belongs to ACVS.

The Full Pathway to Becoming a Veterinary Cardiologist

Every step on this path is a gate, and each one is competitive. Here is the full pathway to becoming a veterinary cardiologist.

Complete Your DVM

The path begins with veterinary school, where you'll be trained to diagnose and treat various animal health issues. This usually refers to the completion of a 4-year program at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school in the US. This general clinical knowledge is essential prior to entering into cardiology.

Build Clinical Experience Through an Internship

After graduation, a one-year rotating internship follows. You will gain experience across a range of specialties, have access to a range of cases to work on, and learn from the real work of practiced clinicians. A referral hospital can provide you with exposure to complex cases and can help you make connections for future residency applications if you are interested in cardiology. For a detailed breakdown of how the match process works and what to expect, read our veterinary internship and residency guide.

Complete Cardiology Residency

From here on, your training improves more into what you want to do. Veterinary cardiology residencies are usually completed in three years, but some programs run four years depending on the institution. You will be taught how to read echocardiograms, how to diagnose heart disease, and how to conduct cardiac procedures, all of which will be done under supervision during this period. ACVIM also establishes minimum requirements for both the number of cases and procedures that residents are required to complete during training.

Pass the ACVIM Certification Exams

Clinical training is just one component of the whole path. Board Certification requires compliance with the eligibility requirements of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and passing of the general internal medicine and cardiology specialty exams. Check the ACVIM website directly for current exam timing and eligibility requirements.

Earn Your Board Certification

The diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) is awarded upon completion of the necessary training and successful completion of the exams. This is an advanced qualification and certification in veterinary cardiology.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps to become a veterinary cardiologist, from veterinary school to board certification.

What to Know Before Choosing Veterinary Cardiology

Before committing to this specialty, here are three things to know about the training, entry requirements, and time involved.

1.   The Internship

A specialty internship gives you that experience and lets you build relationships with clinicians who can write strong letters of recommendation.

2.   The Residency Requirements

The ACVIM Certification Manual requires at least 500 echocardiograms and at least 15 cardiovascular procedures during training. These are the minimum thresholds for eligibility, not indicators of full proficiency, and most programs expect residents to exceed them. You also have to register as an ACVIM candidate within 90 days of starting.

3.   The Timeline

Becoming a veterinary cardiologist takes time. Once you start vet school, you’re in for at least 8 years of training: 4 years for your DVM, 1 year internship, and 3 years residency. If you go into research or a PhD, it can take even longer.

What to Expect During The Veterinary Cardiology Residency

A veterinary cardiology residency is demanding. Most vet cardiologists spend their day performing echocardiograms, working through heart cases, learning procedures, and answering questions from referring vets.

Residency programs differ. This is why it is important to check the clinical, research, and exam preparation aspects of each residency program before deciding to attend. You can get a better learning experience from a program that provides good supervision and mentorship and a lot of supervised casework.

Note that the veterinary cardiologist exam structure has two parts:

• ACVIM general internal medicine exam: It covers internal medicine broadly, well beyond the heart. Residents typically take it after year two, or alongside the specialty exam after year three.
• Cardiology specialty exam: This tests the depth the title implies.

Check ACVIM directly for current timing and eligibility. Those rules decide when you are allowed to sit each exam.

The Challenges of Becoming a Veterinary Cardiologist

Cardiology residencies are limited, and competition is tough. Many applicants apply more than once, while others pursue additional training before securing a position. Programs look at your internship, case experience, research, references, and ability to handle pressure. Not matching on your first attempt is common and doesn’t mean you lack potential.

Here’s what to expect before committing to this path:

For comparison, the path to becoming a veterinary radiologist is another long, competitive route built around imaging.

Veterinary Cardiologist Salary

Veterinary cardiologist salary figures vary a lot by source. Cardiologists are generally among the profession's highest-earning specialists.

Indeed reports an average base salary of $225,834 for board-certified veterinary cardiologists, with senior roles averaging $301,928. These figures are based on a limited number of self-reported salaries, so treat them as a directional guide rather than a reliable average. Actual earnings vary significantly by role, setting, and location.

Why is the range so wide? Four things drive most of it.

A veterinary cardiologist's salary depends on where you work and how you structure your practice. One posting's salary for a veterinary cardiologist job may include production pay, bonuses, or equity that another posting leaves out. Compare offers on total compensation, not the headline number. For a broader picture of how cardiology pay compares across the profession, see our veterinary careers salary overview.

Keep the training years in mind too. You reach specialist income after at least 8 to 9 years of training from the start of vet school, with resident pay in the middle. That delay should shape how you think about student debt and timing.

Where Veterinary Cardiologists Work

Veterinary cardiologists can choose from several career paths, depending on their interests. They can continue treating patients or choose academics to teach and conduct research.

Private Specialty and Referral Hospitals

Many veterinary cardiologists work in specialty and referral hospitals. They see pets referred for heart problems, perform echocardiograms, and collaborate with other specialists to manage complex cardiac cases.

Academic Institutions

If you enjoy teaching alongside clinical work, a university or veterinary teaching hospital might suit you. Your role may include treating patients, teaching veterinary students, supervising residents, and conducting research. Salaries can be lower than in private practice, depending on the institution.

Large Multispecialty Practices

These practices bring together veterinarians from different specialties under one roof. As a cardiologist, you can work with other specialists, access diagnostic equipment, and receive referrals from vets within the practice and beyond.

Telecardiology

Telecardiology offers another option for cardiologists who want more flexibility. You can review echocardiograms remotely for clinics without an on-site cardiologist, submitting written interpretations and consulting with the referring vet by phone or video. Some specialists do this alongside their regular clinical work, while others focus more heavily on remote consultations.

Job opportunities vary by location, so check current openings before deciding where to pursue your career. You can browse current veterinary cardiologist jobs on Pago to see what roles and settings are hiring right now.

Is Veterinary Cardiology the Right Path for You?

Be honest with yourself here. Cardiology tends to suit you if:

• You like diagnostic problem-solving and enjoy the physiology behind what you see on an echo
• You are comfortable in a mostly nonsurgical specialty
• You can commit to a long training stretch and a modest resident salary
• Flexible, remote work later in your career appeals to you

It is probably not the right fit if:

• You need hands-on surgery as part of your daily work
• You need specialty income quickly
• Exams and long stretches of high-pressure work wear you down more than they energize you

If you are still unsure, shadow a cardiologist and talk to current residents before you apply. Compare cardiology against other specialties on case type, daily rhythm, and training length, not just salary. For example, veterinary ophthalmology is another narrow specialty with its own competition and lifestyle.

Conclusion

Becoming a veterinary cardiologist takes at least 8 to 9 years from the start of vet school, a competitive residency match, and two ACVIM exams. In return, you get a respected specialty, strong earning potential in the right setting, and a career built around diagnosis and cardiovascular procedures instead of general surgery. It is demanding, and it rewards people who go in with clear eyes.

If you are serious, start with the ACVIM requirements, talk to a cardiologist you trust, and look hard at your internship options. When applications get closer, learn how to prepare for interviews so you can speak clearly about your case experience and goals.

FAQs

What is a veterinary cardiologist?

A veterinary cardiologist is a veterinary doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in animals.

How long does it take to become a veterinary cardiologist?

It typically takes at least eight to nine years after starting veterinary school, including four years of veterinary school, a one-year internship, and three years of cardiology residency.

Do veterinary cardiologists perform surgery?

Not generally. Veterinary cardiologists only perform cardiac procedures alongside veterinary surgeons. The procedures include pacemaker implantation and balloon valvuloplasty.

How much do veterinary cardiologists make?

According to Indeed, board-certified veterinary cardiologists earn an average base salary of $225,834, while senior positions average $301,928. These figures offer a rough estimate rather than a guaranteed salary.

Are veterinary cardiologist jobs in demand?

Yes, opportunities exist in referral hospitals, specialty practices, universities, and telecardiology services. Job availability varies by location and employer.

Can a general practice veterinarian become a veterinary cardiologist?

Yes, a general practice veterinarian can pursue cardiology by completing the required internship, an approved cardiology residency, and ACVIM certification exams. Your clinical experience can strengthen your application, but you’ll still need to meet the program’s admission and training requirements.