Dr. Erin McCarragher
Board-Certified Cardiologist
Dr. Erin McCarragher is a board-certified cardiologist in Charlotte. She is available to serve general practices and emergency animal hospitals throughout her service area across the Charlotte region.
Biography
Dr. Erin McCarragher is originally from Tampa, Florida, and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Central Florida. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Following veterinary school, Dr. McCarragher completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Colorado, followed by a specialty internship in cardiology at VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in California. These experiences provided a strong foundation in emergency and specialty care while fostering her passion for cardiac medicine, which led to the completion of a three-year cardiology residency at Oregon State University.
Dr. McCarragher spent several years serving the greater Charlotte area as a private practice cardiologist and is excited to be working even more closely with local veterinarians through mobile specialty care. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary cardiology, with interests in the long-term management of congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, and helping patients maintain the best possible quality of life. She is committed to fostering a collaborative, team-oriented approach between pet owners and referring primary care veterinarians to ensure seamless, high-quality patient care.
Outside of work, Dr. McCarragher enjoys traveling and exploring the world, hiking, and trying new restaurants. She loves attending live shows, sporting events, and is an avid hockey fan. She also values quiet time at home spent gardening, reading, listening to music, and relaxing with her two orange tabby cats, Kimba and Loki.
CV
- 2025
Joined MOVES - 2023
Achieved board certification through ACVIM (Cardiology) - 2023
Completed cardiology residency - 2018
Graduated with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine - 2014
Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Central Florida
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What is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist?
A veterinary cardiologist is a specialist that has advanced training in the heart and circulatory system. To become a board certified veterinary cardiologist a veterinarian usually completes a one year internship followed by extensive specialized training in an approved residency training program (usually 3-5 years).
Board certified veterinary cardiologists focus on diagnosing and treating disease of the heart and lungs, which include Congestive heart failure (CHF), Heart muscle disease (Dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), age-related changes to the valves of the heart (Degenerative mitral valve disease), coughing and other breathing problems, congenital (present at birth) heart defects, cardiac arrhythmias (problems with the rate and/or rhythm of your animal’s heart), diseases of the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart), cardiac tumors, high blood pressure (hypertension), and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).
Veterinary cardiology specialists will perform a complete and thorough physical examination on your animal, and based on these initial findings, additional tests will be discussed. Depending on your animal’s condition, diagnostic testing or treatments may include echocardiography (sonogram) – non-invasive ultrasound imaging of the heart, electrocardiography (ECG) – non-invasive electrical reading of the heart’s rhythm, blood pressure evaluation, Holter monitor – 24 hour ECG performed at home, or radiography (x-rays) of the chest and lungs.