You deserve to know all your options for care for your pet. Talk to your primary veterinarian about what’s available in your area, or visit www.vetspecialists.com for more information about board-certified veterinary specialists.
Veterinary specialists undergo the same rigorous training as their human doctor counterparts. This includes four years of undergraduate education, four years of veterinary school, at least one year of internship, and three years of residency training in their area of expertise. In addition to their state and national licensing exams, they must pass two rigorous board examinations, and many specialists also have a research and publication requirement – this qualifies them as ‘board-certified’.
Your veterinarian may recommend evaluation by a cardiologist if your pet is experiencing symptoms of a heart problem (such as coughing, difficult breathing, collapse, fainting, or weakness), or if they find something on a physical examination that suggests a heart condition may be present (such as a heart murmur, an arrhythmia, or abnormal lung sounds). Additionally, certain breeds of dog and cat are highly predisposed to heart disease, and a screening visit may be recommended as early diagnosis could improve their quality of life.
Echocardiogram – A special type of ultrasound that images the heart from multiple angles. This test lets us visualize the heart beating in real-time so we can assess the size of the chambers, the strength of contraction (pumping of the heart), and look for any leaky valves, holes in the heart, or restrictions in blood flow. A veterinary cardiologist is the only doctor certified to perform this test.
Electrocardiogram – Also known as ECG or EKG. This measures the electrical activity of the heart. It is the test we use to assess abnormal heart rhythms and look for causes of abnormal heart rates (i.e., too fast or too slow).
Thoracic Radiographs – These are x-rays of the chest. They allow us to see the lungs to look for fluid, infection, and cancer. The overall size of the heart can be analyzed (but not with the level of detail that an echocardiogram affords).
Laboratory tests – The most commonly performed bloodwork evaluates kidney function and electrolytes, as many medications used to treat the heart can have side-effects on the kidneys. Other blood tests (including thyroid levels etc.) are sometimes recommended.
Blood pressure – A blood pressure is obtained using an inflatable cuff placed around the leg, and a special crystal that picks up sound waves coming from blood vessels in the paw. This is similar to the method used in human patients, but requires extra training. Two veterinary technicians work together to keep the pet calm while multiple measurements are taken.
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Ultrasound of the Heart Performed |
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Human-grade Echocardiography Machine Used |
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Images Reviewed by a Board-certified Cardiologist |
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In=person Discussion of Diagnosis and Treatment Options |
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Testing Performed with You Present |
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Available for Email/Phone Follow-ups |
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Specialist Directly Prescribes and Refills Medications |
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