What to Expect: TeleCardiology

What Happens During Your Appointment

• Each full echocardiogram is performed by a highly trained sonographer
• Your pet will receive:
  • A complete echocardiogram
  • An ECG/EKG
  • A blood pressure measurement
  • Complete review of your pet’s veterinary records, previous x-rays, and lab work

If your pet is being presented for an arrhythmia, is a high risk breed (Dobermans, Boxers, etc.), or an abnormal ECG is noted during the exam a 24-hour Holter monitor (24 hour ECG recording) may also be recommended.

Appointments last about 1 hour. Pets stay with the TeleCardiology team in the imaging room while you wait comfortably in the lobby. Unlike our cardiologist staffed offices across the country, you will not be with your pet during the TeleCardiology appointment.

How Your Pet’s Results Are Reviewed

• Once the diagnostics are completed they are sent, along with your pet’s medical records, to our remotely located Board-Certified Cardiologist.
• Our board certified cardiologist interprets the imaging and prepares a comprehensive written report for your primary care veterinarian within 24–48 hours.
• If chest x-rays or bloodwork are provided with the referral, our cardiologist will interpret those at no additional cost.
  • This report is sent directly to your primary/referring veterinarian.
  • Your veterinarian will review all results and recommendations with you, including:
    • Diagnosis
    • Medication guidance (with dosages)
    • Home-care and diet recommendations
    • Anesthetic risk assessment
    • Follow-up recommendations

Please note: Because our cardiologist is remotely located, our on-site staff cannot provide any results during your visit.

Before Your Appointment

• A referral from your primary care veterinarian and complete medical history is required for every visit and must be received before scheduling.
• We do not sedate patients; if your pet is very anxious, your primary veterinarian may recommend prescribing Trazodone or Gabapentin before the visit.

Scheduling & Availability

• Our office hours are Monday–Thursday from 8am to 6pm, typically with same or next-week scheduling availability for non-urgent cases.
• Symptomatic patients can often be seen the same day or week if your veterinarian requests it.

Is TeleCardiology right for your pet?

• Because our cardiologists are located off site, there is NO direct communication between the cardiologist and you, as the client or pet parent.
• Our staff cannot go over results with you during your visit and reports are completed in 24 to 48 hours and sent to your referring veterinarian.
• All results must be gone over by your referring veterinarian who has an established client/doctor/patient relationship.
• Because the Flower Mound CVCA team works without a doctor on site, no medications or treatments may be prescribed or performed by our trained diagnostic and technical staff in accordance with state law.
• If a patient presents with symptoms such as fainting, respiratory distress, hypotension, or severe arrhythmias, the pet will be referred to the Flower Mound Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center for examination, where their Emergency team may perform additional stabilization measures before continuing with the cardiac diagnostic appointment. These services are an additional cost to be discussed by the Flower Mound Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center at the time of service.

Questions?
We’re here to help! Call us at (682) 200-7471.