Karen Sanderson, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Dr. Karen Sanderson received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Colorado State University in 1999 followed by an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Atlantic Veterinary College on Prince Edward Island in Canada. She went on to pursue residency training in cardiology at the University of California at Davis and became a board certified cardiologist in 2003.  

She has worked in the field since that time first as an associate of a busy private practice in Los Angeles and then as the owner of a veterinary cardiology practice in the mountain west.  She has participated in large international clinical trials and also was involved in characterizing gorilla hearts for the Great Ape Project.  She retired from clinical practice in 2024 and now enjoys providing cardiology services to a greater diversity of pets and their people.  

She is especially interested in the management of chronic heart disease and how best to provide comprehensive care while taking the idiosyncrasies of each case into account including the particular disease process, comorbidities, the pet’s temperament, and the ability for the client to comply.   Her years of clinical practice taught her that not all pets tolerate oral therapy and/or multiple trips to the vet and that her clients had variable financial means as well as ability to administer medications. 

When not working she can be found on the trails with her dogs, on her horse, writing, or reading. She also enjoys travel and spends several months each year exploring other countries.