CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets offers a full cardiology examination, complete with a physical exam, full echocardiogram, diagnostics and treatment plan.
Patient History. Our team starts by assessing your pet’s medical history, inclusive of current Primary Care assessments, treatments, and recent tests and imaging available.
- 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, unless it has been arranged in advance that your pet will need to be sedated for the procedure (very few patients require sedation).
- If your pet has had any X-Rays taken recently, please bring those with you as well, as they cannot be faxed.
Physical Examination. Our team will perform a non-invasive physical examination of the pet, including blood pressure, weight, and the cardiologist will listen to the pet’s heart (auscultation) to assess heart rhythm, detect murmurs, and identify any potential issues.
- A blood pressure reading may be performed by CVCA staff, depending on the age of your pet and his or her medications.
- The board-certified cardiologist or cardiology resident will perform a focused cardiac examination on your pet. Under most circumstances, owners will stay with their pets during the appointment.
Echocardiogram. Our veterinary cardiology, using the most advanced technology, will perform a full echocardiogram of the pet’s heart.
- We will get an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) of your pet. The echocardiogram is not painful and takes about 15-25 minutes in most cases.
- The doctor will explain the echocardiogram as it is being performed and then further discuss the findings after the echo is completed. (Due to our doctor’s expertise and the latest level of technology with our equipment, the echocardiogram gives us valuable information on the location, type, and severity of heart disease.)
- The exam involves your pet lying down on a table, with you present for comfort, and an ultrasound probe is placed on the chest against the heart through a hole in the table.
Diagnostics and Treatment Plan. Our board-certified cardiologist develops a detailed report with diagnostics and treatment plan.
- You will be given a printed visit summary with the diagnosis, treatment recommendations and follow up care.
- A full report will be forwarded to your primary care veterinarian the same day.
- After your appointment, we welcome progress reports, questions and concerns at any time.
- We maintain an ongoing relationship with your primary care veterinarian to ensure the best care for your pet.
CVCA uses several diagnostics to support patient exams, including Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound), X-Rays (Radiography), Fluoroscopy, and Electrocardiography.
Some of our locations also offer enhanced services to support cardiac treatment, including cath labs and cardiac surgeries.
