Who has developed the Exam?

The exam has been developed by WAVE.  Those mainly involved are Dave Dickson and Hannah Stephenson with help from CSAG members.

When and Where are the Exams held

The first accreditation exam was held on the 9th and 10th June 2025 at the Kennel Club building in Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth.  The next exam will be held at the same venue on Thursday 9th July and possibly Friday 10th July 2026.

Standardisation of screening for heart disease in Dogs : Examination 2026

Aim

The veterinary Cardiovascular Society in the UK maintains a list of members who have been approved to screen dogs (and cats) for cardiac disease prior to breeding. Previously, members on this list were either automatically approved if they have undertaken a residency in Cardiology in the UK, or were assessed by current members by submission of sets of echocardiography images. The aim of this new examination is to ensure that all screening of dogs for cardiac disease prior to breeding, in the UK, is undertaken to the same standard. All new applicants will be asked to sit the examination and it is expected that all cardiologists currently screening dogs in the UK will also sit the examination in future.

 Format

Measurement of images

Candidates will be asked to bring (in electronic format, on USB) two sets of measured still images from patients seen in their own clinics, one large breed (Labrador or larger) and one small breed, ideally with mitral valve disease. Measurements will be assessed by the examiners after the live examination for all candidates have finished. Details on the measurements to be obtained are provided in separate documentation.

 Live examination

Candidates will be expected to perform echocardiography on 2 dogs during the course of the examination. One small breed dog and one large/giant breed dog will be examined. The examination will consist of 2 stations of 45 minutes duration, with 5 minutes between each station to allow for changeover of dogs and staff. The total length of the examination will therefore be 1 hour 35 minutes. For logistical reasons, some candidates may be asked to take a break between their stations, where they will not be examined, but this will increase the total duration of time in the examination room. The candidate will perform echocardiography to obtain a specified list of echocardiography views (see separate guidance). Candidates will be examined and marked in real time by the examiner. Each candidate will be assessed by 3 different examiners; 1 examiner during one 45 minute assessment and 2 examiners during the other 45 minute assessment. Candidates will be expected to obtain but NOT measure images from the patient, during the 45 minute time limit. There will be 4 stations within the examination room so that up to 4 candidates may be assessed at any one time. Start time of candidates will be staggered to allow as many candidates as possible to be assessed in the day. Changeover of candidates may occur between any of the 45 minute sessions but will not interrupt any 45 minute session.

 Echocardiography machines

The examiners will provide echo machines for the candidates to use, if they wish. These machines will be GE Vivid IQ machines. Please inform the CSAG committee if you wish to bring your own machine to the examination. If you are unable to provide your own machine, but would prefer to use a machine from a different manufacturer, please inform the CSAG committee as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate for this. Please note that it is expected that any machines provided by the candidates will be of sufficient quality to provide diagnostic images for assessment. Any machines provided by the candidates will need to remain available for the full half day (morning or afternoon) of the examination, should images need to be reviewed. All other equipment (clippers, gel, ECG pads, echo tables etc) will be provided.

 Assessment and Pass Marks

All candidates will be assessed against the assessment points provided in the supplementary information, available on the VCS website. As each candidate is assessed by 3 different examiners, a majority ruling will apply. Candidates will receive a satisfactory/unsatisfactory assessment. For candidates who do not meet the required standard for a section of the examination, feedback will be provided. The results of the examination and any feedback will be provided within 2 weeks of the examination.

 Resits and Appeals

If a candidate does not meet the required standard in just one section of the examination, they have the option to ‘resit’ that section of the exam only. For the measurement section, this would mean submitting further digital still images. For the echocardiography section of the examination, the candidate must wait until the next examination date. There is currently no limit on how many times a candidate can present for examination if they do not achieve the required standard. If a candidate wishes to appeal the result of their examination, they must do so in writing to the CSAG committee (℅ Hannah Stephenson, chairperson) within 1 month of the date of the examination.