TeleCardiology

Slide
TeleCardiology by CVCA
Local Imaging Center in
Dallas
Business Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 5 PM CT
Our Imaging Location:
3905 Long Prairie Road, Building 1,
Flower Mound, TX 75028
Our Phone:
Our Fax:
682-200-7871
Schedule Now

Schedule your pet for an appointment with TeleCardiology by CVCA. We have near term appointments available.

Before you bring your pet in, be sure to fill out this form.

Schedule

Appointments available now at Telecardiology by CVCA

View Upcoming Availability for Your Pet's Visit

For Patient Families Icon

Prepare for your upcoming imaging appointment

Complete Your Pet's Registration Form

Driving Directions

Find Our Imaging Center

Located Within

We are located within the Flower Mound Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center. To reach the main hospital directly:

3905 Long Prairie Road, Building 1
Flower Mound, TX 75028

469-464-2964
info@fmves.com

TeleCardiology by CVCA Team

Meet The Team

Dr. Hanes is our board certified cardiologist leading our TeleCardiology by CVCA Team.

Derek Hanes

Derek Hanes

DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (Cardiology)

Derek Hanes

DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (Cardiology)

Derek is a Texan by birth, spending a large portion of his childhood in central New Mexico. He earned a Bachelor’s in Science degree (Biology) from the New Mexico School of Mines. In 2013, Derek received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma School of Veterinary Medicine and Health Sciences.

He then went on to pursue a general rotating internship with Seattle Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland, WA. Immediately following this internship, Derek pursued a post-doctoral fellowship with the University of California Davis working in animal models of myocardial infarction and the associated myocardial remodeling which ensues.

After fellowship, Derek relocated to Denver, CO for residency training in Cardiology with Rocky Mountain Veterinary Cardiology. Derek completed his residency and was board certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018.

His professional interests include minimally invasive cardiac interventions and chronic management of congestive heart failure.

In his free time, Derek enjoys cooking, as well as trying new and exotic foods and restaurants. He also has two canine companions and a horse with which he enjoys being outdoors on the trails enjoying nature.”

Lexi Steven

Alexis (Lexi) Stephen

Licensed Sonographer

Alexis (Lexi) Stephen

Licensed Sonographer

A native Texan, Lexi is a licensed sonographer living in the Dallas area. Lexi has developed and honed her sonography skills on the human medicine side. Lexi is an expert in echography, capturing high quality images at Baylor Scott and White in the Invasive Cardiology department, and in Cardiac Rehabilitation for nearly 7 years.

Lexi is excited to transition to veterinary medicine, which she feels is her true calling.

She is the proud owner of 4 dogs (including a new puppy!) and 1 cat.
She loves spending time with her furry family and all kinds of outdoor activities. While Lexi takes her job seriously, she doesn’t take herself too seriously with a sense of humor for whatever life brings.

Lexi shares, “I cannot wait to start this amazing journey with the team at SVP in CVCA Specialty care – and learn along the way!”

What To Expect

Plan Your Visit

CVCA makes the experience for you and your pet easy and stress-free.

Prior to Appointment

01. Prior to Appointment

  • Complete an appointment registration form within a week of the date of your appointment (to ensure we have the most accurate information).
  • Most of the time, records can be faxed to us from your primary care veterinarian prior to your appointment.
  • Please bring along a list of all medication strengths and dosages or the pill vials. You may follow your normal routine for medications and feeding that day.
  • If your pet has had any X-Rays taken recently, please bring those with you as well, as they cannot be faxed.

Appointment Check-In

02. Appointment Check-In

  • CVCA will verify we have a completed appointment registration form on file for your pet.
  • For returning clients, CVCA will take a few moments to confirm your contact information.

Patient Blood Pressure

03. Patient Blood Pressure

  • A technician will take your pet for echocardiogram imaging.
  • A blood pressure reading may be performed by CVCA staff, depending on the age of your pet and his or her medications.

Echocardiogram

04. Echocardiogram

  • The state licensed, highly-trained sonographer will take a series of detailed cardiac images of your pet’s heart.
  • The echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your pet’s heart. The echocardiogram is not painful and takes about 15-25 minutes in most cases.
  • The exam involves your pet lying down on a table, and an ultrasound probe is placed on the chest against the heart.
  • Our skilled technicians work alongside the sonographer to make sure your pet is comfortable while we get quality images.
  • We will bring your pet back to the waiting room when we have captured all the images.

Completion of the Appointment

05. Completion of the Appointment

  • Your pet’s images and history will be uploaded for our board-certified cardiologist to review.
  • You will pay TeleCardiology by CVCA for the Imaging appointment, inclusive of the full work up for the day. TeleCardiology by CVCA accepts cash, credit cards, personal checks, CareCredit, and scratchpay.
    (Note that your primary care veterinarian will be in contact with you later, and may have recommended additional tests or prescriptions to consider as part of the cardiac recommendations for your pet.)
  • Our cardiologist will send a full report to your primary care veterinarian within 48 business hours.

Primary Care Veterinarian

06. Follow Up from Your Primary Care Veterinarian

  • Your primary care veterinarian will follow up with you directly on the cardiology findings and care recommendations.
  • Informed by the full evaluation from our cardiologist, your primary care veterinarian will provide clear information on your pet’s heart health and any next steps in care, including any medications or care instructions you will need.
  • Your primary care veterinarian also has access to clarify anything with our cardiologist, so you are assured of having personalized care for your pet.
Diagnostics Service

Bring Your Stable Pet

TeleCardiology by CVCA is a cardiac diagnostics service available for asymptomatic (stable) pets only, We do not have direct onsite veterinary supervision.

  • We cannot see highly anxious pets that require sedation administered by a veterinarian.

  • Please discuss with your primary care veterinarian if TeleCardiology by CVCA is right for your pet.

If your pet is experiencing symptoms or clinical signs, please take your pet to urgent care for immediate stabilization of their cardiac symptoms and condition.

Diagnostics Service
FAQ

Get The Facts

Here are a few of the typical questions, with answers, that you may have about your upcoming appointment.

How long is a typical TeleCardiology by CVCA appointment?

A typical appointment is about 1 hour long. This allows us to get your pet checked in, take a blood pressure reading, and capture a series of high-quality echocardiogram images of your pet for detailed evaluation by our cardiologist.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It is considered the “Gold Standard” of diagnostics and is how our cardiologist obtains the best information regarding your pet’s heart. It is a painless procedure to your pet and gives a clear understanding of your pet’s heart function.

Will I get a treatment plan for my pet?

Yes. You will get a treatment plan through your primary care veterinarian. Our cardiologist will share a comprehensive report that provides thorough diagnostics, prognosis and treatment plan recommendations to your primary care within 48 business hours of your appointment. Your primary care will contact you and share this information as part of your pet’s holistic care plan.

What happens after the imaging appointment?

Your primary care doctor will contact you with the findings and care plan for your pet. If there are any medications, additional tests or therapies needed, your primary care veterinarian will help you get the information, any medications or additional tests to provide follow up care from the appointment.

Will the onsite TeleCardiology Imaging team be able to answer my medical questions about my pet’s cardiac care?

No. The TeleCardiology Imaging team is here to provide diagnostic testing (imaging and related information) to the CVCA Cardiologist to complete a full evaluation and assessment. The team providing the imaging onsite are available to help make your pet comfortable and to collect the information for the doctor. The team is not trained and qualified to provide medical assessments.

Think of this appointment as being similar to if you need to get an X-Ray image for a potential bone fracture, which is sent to your doctor for professional medical assessment and treatment care.

My pet is symptomatic and/or in distress. Can you provide care to their cardiac health?

No. If your pet is symptomatic and/or in great distress, you should seek immediate care at your local veterinary emergency clinic. This is a diagnostic service to provide insights and recommendations for care of cardiac issues, or to provide cardiac clearances for other procedures.

My pet is highly anxious, and may not remain calm for the echocardiogram. How should I handle that?

If your pet has mild anxiety that can be easily managed with sedatives, discuss options with your primary care veterinarian prior to the imaging appointment.

If your pet is very anxious and there is a risk that we cannot get the imaging successfully captured without full sedation, we cannot perform an echocardiogram. We do not have a doctor on premise who can provide that higher level of sedation management support to capture images.

Do you have the cardiologist on premise that I can speak with during the appointment?

No. The cardiologist is not on premise at our TeleCardiology by CVCA imaging center.

Can I be in the room with my pet during the echocardiogram?

No. This is simply a diagnostic imaging appointment to capture high-quality images for diagnostic and care recommendations. Our team is highly-trained to provide exceptional care to your pet and capture clear images efficiently. We will keep you apprised of progress and bring your pet to you as soon as we get the images the cardiologist will need.

How can I schedule appointments directly with TeleCardiology by CVCA (for other pets, for example)?

TeleCardiology by CVCA is a referral-based service. That means, we only accept patients who were referred to us by a primary care veterinarian.

If you think you need an appointment for a pet, please contact your primary care veterinarian for a potential referral to TeleCardiology by CVCA and we’ll get you set for an appointment.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Keeping Everyone Healthy

COVID can be stressful for everyone. Please be kind as our team does their best to provide the highest standard of care for you and your pets. CVCA will not tolerate offensive behavior toward our team members.

  • As of 01-16-2023, clients are provided the option of curbside service or waiting in our reception area for the duration of their pet's appointment. Our indoor permissions are directed by the building's current mandates. They may change at any time.
  • Any client who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 5 days, or is having any clinical symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19 in the last 5 days, is asked to remain at home or arrange for alternate transportation.
  • Upon arrival and phone call to our office, CVCA staff will screen all clients for potential risk of infection or exposure.
  • Our staff has been instructed to avoid contact and reschedule the patient’s appointment, if:
    • In the last 5 days, the individual transporting the patient has had a positive laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis
    • In the last 5 days, the individual transporting the patient has experienced any clinical symptoms related to COVID-19, such as cold or flu-like symptoms, fever of 100.4 F, respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or sore throat.

Curbside Service Available

  • Please call our office at 682-200-7471 when you arrive and let us know what type of vehicle you are in.
  • Please remain in your vehicle, and our staff will come meet you.
  • Once outside, we will require you to remove your pet from your vehicle.
  • All pets must be secured with a leash or in a carrier.
  • Our team will take your pet in for their appointment, and bring them back to you when the appointment is completed.
Payment Flexibility

Pay Your Way

We offer many options to flexibly pay for our cardiology services, including CareCredit and Scratchpay for qualified applicants – ask a CVCA team member for more information.

We accept cash

We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards

6-month deferred interest on credit cards

6-month deferred interest available on credit card transactions

24 months at a set interest rate for surgeries

Apply online at carecredit.com prior to appointment

Tip: Applying for 2-3x the appointment estimate can defray unexpected costs

12- and 24-month repayment with a variable interest rate

No prepayment penalty

Apply in 90 seconds with no hard credit check

Tip: Scratchpay offers an “Interest-free” Take 5 plan – break your bill into 5 easy payments

Testimonials

Hear Their Stories

envelope-img

Be Heart-Smart For Your Pet…

...with CVCA’s monthly newsletter for pet owners, From the Heart.
Get important information and heart-healthy tips from our cardiologists straight to your inbox!

Get Social with Us:

Email Newsletter

Sign-up today for the CVCA email newsletter.

Sign-Up Today
pug on a laptop