Dr. James Wood, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist dedicated to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease through exceptional clinical care, advanced imaging, and minimally invasive interventional procedures. As a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology), he is passionate about helping veterinarians confidently manage complex cardiac cases while improving outcomes for their patients.
Dr. Wood earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the prestigious UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Medalist distinction. He completed a rotating internship at Colorado State University before returning to UC Davis for a four-year cardiology residency, where he developed extensive expertise in advanced echocardiography, management of congenital and acquired heart disease, electrophysiology, and transcatheter cardiac interventions.
He currently serves as an Associate Cardiology Clinician at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Monterey, California, providing comprehensive cardiac evaluations, advanced diagnostic imaging, and individualized treatment plans for referral and emergency patients. His clinical interests include advanced cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, and the management of complex arrhythmias, with a particular focus on minimally invasive therapies that improve quality of life for veterinary patients.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Wood is an accomplished researcher whose contributions to the veterinary cardiology literature include studies on heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, endomyocarditis, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). His residency research has focused on innovative therapies for canine subvalvular aortic stenosis and the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac remodeling and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
As a SonoPath Cardiology Telemedicine Specialist, Dr. Wood combines evidence-based medicine with a collaborative, educational approach, providing referring veterinarians with thoughtful cardiac ultrasound interpretation, practical clinical recommendations, and the support needed to confidently diagnose and manage cardiovascular disease.
RESIDENCY RESEARCH
Rapamycin to Prevent Cardiac Remodeling in Severe Canine Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial
Influence of a Functional RAAS Gene Polymorphism on RAAS Activity and Response to RAAS Suppression
Characterization of the Tissue RAAS in Normal Cats and Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
PUBLICATIONS
Ames MK, Adin DB, Wood J. Beyond Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Modulation of the RAAS to Delay or Manage CHF. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2023.
Wood J, Reagan KL, Gunther-Harrington C, Sykes JE. Identification of Streptococcus suis in a cat with endomyocarditis. JFMS Open Rep. 2021.
Visser LC, Wood JE, Johnson LR. Survival characteristics and prognostic importance of echocardiographic measurements of right heart size and function in dogs with pulmonary hypertension. J Vet Intern Med. 2020.
Hacker AS, Pavano M, Wood JE. Synthesis and electronic properties of fluoreno[2,1a]fluorenedione and fluoreno[1,2-a]fluorenedione. J Org Chem. 2018. Hacker
AS, Pavano M, Wood JE. Fluoreno[2,1-a]fluorene: an ortho-naphthoquinodimethane-based system with partial diradical character. Chem Commun. 2019.