School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

Dr Frane Ivasovic

  • University Clinician in the Small Animal Cardiology (Small Animal Clinical Sciences)

Biography

Frane graduated from the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, with a degree in veterinary medicine in 2015. After working initially in the private sector and as a veterinarian for the Swiss Army, he began working on his doctoral thesis in small animal cardiology at the University of Zurich, focusing on the cardiovascular effects of physical activity in sporting dogs. In 2017, he began a rotational training programme in cardiology, leading him to the ECVIM-CA (Cardiology) specialisation programme in 2018, which he successfully completed in 2022.

He then began working as a freelance cardiologist at several centres in Switzerland, offering on-site consultations in the French- and German-speaking regions, as well as in the Canton of Ticino, through his company, VetMeister. In April 2022, he worked in the Department of Endocrinology at the University of Zurich to further his knowledge in this field, while continuing to develop his freelance practice.

In January 2023, he relaunched the Cardiology service at the University of Glasgow, taking over as Head of Department and participating in several areas of comparative research, with the aim of further developing the range of services offered. Although he is now mostly based in the UK, Frane continues to provide regular services throughout Switzerland.

Research interests

My research interests focus on the clinical investigation of cardiovascular disease in companion animals, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms, diagnosis, and management of heart failure. A central area of interest is the progression and treatment of both right- and left-sided heart failure, integrating advanced imaging and clinical data to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care. I am also interested in cardiac neoplasia, exploring the interaction between cardiovascular pathology and oncologic processes, with the aim of improving recognition and clinical management of these complex conditions.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Prior publications

Article

F. Ivasovic, G. Poletti, M. Baron Toaldo (2024) Echocardiographic findings in apparently healthy Czechoslovakian wolfdogs Journal of Veterinary Cardiology Crossref. (doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2024.04.002)

Frane Ivasovic, J. Novo Matos, Michele Wyler, Tony M. Glaus (2022) Effects of Breed, Exercise, and a Two-Month Training Period on NT-proBNP-Levels in Athletic Dogs Animals Crossref. (doi: 10.3390/ani13010016)

Henze, I.S., Ivasovic, F., Keller, S., Steblaj, B. (2022) Anaesthesia of a cat with complex cardiac malformation,Anästhesie einer Katze mit komplexer Herzfehlbildung Kleintierpraxis Scopus - Elsevier. ISSN 00232076 (doi: 10.2377/0023-2076-67-56)

Ivasovic, F., Ruetten, M., Kook, P.H. (2022) Prevalence of inflammatory versus neoplastic lesions in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs undergoing gastroduodenoscopy: 195 cases (2007–2015) Research in Veterinary Science Scopus - Elsevier. ISSN 15322661 00345288 (doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.03.014)

Rusterholz, S., Riond, B., Stirn, M., Ivasovic, F., Glaus, T. (2020) Diagnostic utility of creatine kinase elevation in the routine biochemical profile in cats,Utilité diagnostique de l’élévation de la créatine kinase dans le profil biochimique de routine chez les chats,Diagnostischer nutzen einer kreatin kinase erhöhung im routinechemogramm bei katzen,Utilità diagnostica dell’incremento della creatina chinasi in una chemiogramma di routine nei gatti Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde Scopus - Elsevier. ISSN 16642848 00367281 (doi: 10.17236/sat00266)

Glaus, T., Ivasovic, F., Jörger, F., Schreiber, N., Toaldo, M.B. (2019) Minimal invasive extraction of adult dirofilaria immitis in a dog with caval syndrom,Extraction invasive minimale de Dirofilaria immitis chez un chien souffrant d’un syndrome cave supérieur,Minimal invasive Extraktion von adulten Dirofilaria immitis bei einem Hund mit Kavalsyndrom,Estrazione minimamente invasiva di Dirofilaria immitis adulte in un cane con sindrome della vena cava Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde Scopus - Elsevier. ISSN 16642848 00367281 (doi: 10.17236/sat00234)

Supervision

My supervision focuses on clinically driven research projects aimed at improving the understanding and management of cardiovascular disease in companion animals.

Current projects explore several key areas of veterinary cardiology, including the mechanisms and clinical consequences of right-sided heart failure, the progression and management of left-sided heart failure, and the interaction between cardiac disease and neoplastic processes. 

  • Crichton, Conor
    One Health Approach to Cardio-Oncology Research in Veterinary Medicine

Teaching

My teaching activities span undergraduate education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development for veterinary professionals. I contribute extensively to undergraduate teaching within the BVMS programme, where I deliver lectures and clinical teaching on cardiovascular examination, cardiac pathology, and clinical cardiology. I also support veterinary students during their clinical rotations and EMS within the Small Animal Hospital, providing hands-on training in cardiovascular examination, echocardiography, and clinical decision-making.

To further encourage student engagement with the discipline, I established and support a Cardiology Student Club, offering students opportunities to explore cardiovascular topics beyond the formal curriculum in an interactive environment.

In recognition of my teaching contributions, I was voted Best Clinical Lecturer by students in 2024 and nominated again for this award in 2025, reflecting positive feedback on both teaching quality and student engagement. My teaching practice is further informed by continued professional development in higher education, including completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP).

Beyond the undergraduate programme, I am involved in postgraduate and professional education, including supervision of specialist trainees and collaboration with postgraduate research students.

I also contribute to continuing professional development (CPD) for practicing veterinarians and nurses, delivering courses on echocardiography, ECG interpretation, and clinical cardiology. These activities include local CPD events for practitioners as well as online webinars and international courses delivered across several European countries, supporting the dissemination of specialist cardiology knowledge and strengthening links between academia and clinical practice.