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| Canine cardiologist | | Print | |
| Written by Phyllis Levine | For the Press Banner | | |
| Friday, 29 February 2008 | |
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A Pasatiempo man made a career of the heart of man’s best friend
 Retired veterinarian Robert Pensinger helped pioneer the field of canine cardiology. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
The man to ask is Robert Pensinger, who was one of the first five veterinarians in the country to specialize in canine cardiac problems. “The answer is yes, but …,” he said. “The ‘but’ is that they do not get blockage of the arteries, which is the most common cause of heart attacks in humans, but they do have congenital heart disease and valve disease.” Pensinger, 79, a Pasatiempo resident, describes a case in which a poodle needed a pacemaker. “At that time, there was no such thing as a pacemaker for dogs, so I installed a human pacemaker in the dog’s body,” he said. “The dog was 2 years old then. The animal was still going strong nine years later.” Dogs’ hearts, like humans’, have four chambers: a right and left ventricle and a right and left atrium During his 40-year career, Pensinger worked at four medical schools and three veterinary colleges researching cardiovascular problems to learn how to treat the heart problems of dogs. “I went into my own cardiology practice and started clinics in large animal hospitals in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles and in Santa Cruz,” he said. “While in Santa Cruz, I flew down to Los Angeles weekly to treat patients.” While practicing in the Santa Cruz area, he and Cynthia, his wife of 54 years, started postgraduate programs for practicing veterinarians. As his Veterinary Post-Graduate Institute developed, he and Cynthia established the Ocean Animal Clinic in Santa Cruz. He retired in 1990 from active practice, but he continued the institute. VPI continued until 2004, serving 10,000 registrants with 225 courses over 25 years. It was taken over by the American Veterinary Conference, which has expanded the courses to new locations.
 A preserved pig’s heart, at right, is among Robert Pensinger's memorabilia. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
After World War II, Pensinger went to the University of Illinois and earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in veterinary medicine. The G.I. Bill, Army Reserve training, teaching and research made it possible to avoid borrowing money. He graduated In the ensuing 40 years, he worked and also “found time to pursue my hobbies of skiing, backpacking and hiking,” Pensinger said. “I am limited these days from these enjoyable activities by having had two knee replacements.” His three children, Douglas, 54, Sandi, 51, and Carol, 50, have provided him with four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. “I fulfilled my goal of improving standards of veterinary practices,” he said. “I am a lot less busy in retirement, but I am still looking for new challenges.” Scotts Valley writer Phyllis Levine, a retired college professor and public radio host, writes about her valley neighbors. She can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Comments (3)
  written by Jonathan C. Goodwin, April 14, 2008
Dear Ms. Shafer,
Please have your dog evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist. THEY CAN HELP!!!!! I don't know where you are, but there can be help if you and your vet get with a vet cardiologist. Jonathan C. Goodwin Cardiology resident, Purdue University report abuse
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 written by Christine Karol, April 29, 2008
I have an 18 mon. old English Bull Terrier just Dx Mitral Valve Displaysia with regurgitation. Does anyone know who does valve replacement?!!
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My new dog is a year old lab mix acquired from the humane society around November 2007. Ten days ago she started coughing. She was immediately started on antibiotics for kennel cough by our vet. At 8 days, with no improvement, it was discovered that her heart is extremely enlarged. The
vet is starting her on Enalipril. He is unsure of what could cause the 2 dogs in one family to have this problem without warning so close together.
Can you shed any light on this situation? We are desperate to save our dog. Does the new canine flu cause heart problems? Could anything in the environment cause this. We live in the country. I know you are retired but I am begging you to please help us.