Dr. Renee Girens, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiogology) is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist whose expertise spans advanced cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, and collaborative patient care. As a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology), she brings a wealth of experience in diagnosing and managing complex cardiovascular disease while supporting referring veterinarians with practical, high-quality clinical guidance.
Dr. Girens earned both her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, graduating summa cum laude, and her cardiology award from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine before completing a rigorous rotating internship and three-year cardiology residency at the University of Florida. Her residency training included advanced echocardiography, emergency and outpatient cardiology, Holter analysis, and a wide range of interventional procedures, including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion, transvenous pacemaker implantation, and balloon valvuloplasty.
She currently serves as a Veterinary Cardiologist at Summit Veterinary Referral Center in Tacoma, Washington, where she manages a busy caseload of referral and emergency cardiac patients, performs advanced interventional procedures, and provides continuing education for veterinarians and interns. She also practices as a relief cardiologist with South Sound Radiology, delivering specialized echocardiography and ECG consultation while partnering closely with referring practices to optimize patient outcomes.
A dedicated educator throughout her career, Dr. Girens has taught veterinary students, interns, and graduate students across multiple institutions, earning recognition as the University of Florida’s Elective Small Animal Resident of the Year. Her commitment to advancing veterinary medicine extends to research, where she has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in veterinary cardiology and internal medicine, with work focusing on dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular therapeutics.
As a SonoPath Cardiology Telemedicine Specialist, Dr. Girens combines advanced diagnostic expertise with a collaborative, educational approach, helping veterinarians gain confidence in cardiac ultrasound interpretation while delivering timely, clinically meaningful recommendations that improve patient care.
Research
Investigation of AAV Serotype for Gene Delivery to Pulmonary Vasculature – Pilot Study 2019 – 2022
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Investigation of AAV serotypes for pulmonary gene therapy in rabbits and canines
Characterization of Canine Respiratory Diseases Leading to Pulmonary Hypertension 2018
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Retrospective review of dogs with pulmonary hypertension to determine underlying respiratory cause for targeted treatment
Calculation of Body Surface Area Using CT-Guided Modeling in Dogs and Cats 2015 – 2017
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
CT-based body surface area modeling in dogs to optimize chemotherapy dosing.
Thesis Research: Effects of Exercise Intensity on Young Alzheimer’s Mice 2009 – 2011
Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
The effects of exercise intensity on Alzehimer’s Disease (AD)symptoms in the Tg2576 mouse model was investigated by determining amyloid-β _(Aβ) plaque load, soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels, and behavioral studies.
Publications
Brethel S, Locker S, Girens R, Rivera P, Meurs K, Adin D. “The effect of taurine supplementation on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system of dogs with congestive heart failure.” Scientific Reports. (2023) Jul 3;13(1):10700.
Freeman L, Rush J, Adin D, Weeks K, Antoon K, Brethel S, Cunningham S, Santos LD, Girens R, Goldberg R, Karlin E, Lessard D, Lopez K, Rouben C, Vereb M, Yang V. “Prospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. (2022) Mar; 36(2):451-463.
Girens R, Swift, S. “Telmisartan for Treating for Treating Systemic Hypertension.” Today’s Veterinary Practice. January/February 2019.
Girens R, Bukoski A, Price S, Maitz C, Boston S, Borgatti A, Manaugh C, Sprinkle M, Selting K. “Critical Evaluation of the Body Surface Area Equation in Dogs Using Anatomic Parameters or Computed Tomography.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. (2019) Mar; 33(2):792-799.
Jaffey JA, Wiggen K, Leach SB, Masseau I, Girens RE, Reinero CR. “Pulmonary hypertension secondary to respiratory disease and/or hypoxia in dogs: Clinical features, diagnostic testing and survival.” The Veterinary Journal. (2019) Sep;2 51:105347.
Moore, Kaitlin M., Renee E. Girens, Sara K. Larson, Maria R. Jones, Jessica L. Restivo, David M. Holtzman, John R. Cirrito, Carla M. Yuede, Scott D. Zimmerman, and Benjamin F. Timson. “A Spectrum of Exercise Training Reduces Soluable Aβ in a Dose-dependent Manner in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Neurobiology of Disease 85 (2016): 218-24.
Selected Awards
Elective Small Animal Resident of the Year 2021
Voted by the UF CVM class of 2021
Cardiology Award 2018
Presented to an outstanding student in cardiology
Salsbury Veterinary Medical Scholarship 2017
Demonstrated superior scholarship, initiative, perseverance, and potential for leadership
Frank E. and Ena Hickerson Rhoads Scholarship 2016-2017
GPA in upper 10% of class and of excellent moral character
Virginia L. Busch Scholarship 2016
Outstanding leadership, character, and integrity. Candidates are nominated by classmates and final selection made by faculty
Vet Med Memorial Award 2015
Presented to the students with the highest grade point average after the first year of study
Curator’s Scholarship Recipient 2014–2015
Funds first year tuition for overall top applicant to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
Distinguished Thesis Award Nominee 2011
Recognition for exemplary scholarship and research