Cardiac Care and cardiopulmonary diagnostics at Crown Veterinary Specialists are provided by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. Our goal is to improve and preserve your pet’s quality of life by delivering the highest quality, comprehensive, and compassionate care. Board-certified cardiologists undergo additional training and certification focused solely on cardiac health and disease, which can help your pet achieve the best possible heart and lung health.
Our cardiology department also provides interventional cardiology services. Interventional cardiology involves the use of minimally invasive transcatheter procedures to treat specific cardiac or respiratory diseases without the trauma, discomfort, and risks associated with traditional open-chest or open-heart surgeries.
When your primary veterinarian refers you to Crown Veterinary Specialists, our cardiology team will begin by reviewing the history, and prior diagnostics provided by your veterinarian and perform an initial physical examination of their own. The cardiologist will use this information to determine your pet’s current clinical status and determine which additional diagnostic test(s) are indicated to further assess your pet’s cardiac health.
This comprehensive assessment provides your pet’s cardiologist the ability to develop a thorough treatment plan and recommendations for both short and long-term term care. This plan will be discussed with you in detail and provides you the opportunity to speak with your pet’s cardiologist directly, and to ask any questions you may have about your pet’s health or care, now or in the future.
Your pet’s complete assessment, including diagnostic test results and treatment plan, will be shared with your primary veterinarian to ensure that the best continuity of care can be provided by all parties. If your pet requires hospitalization or has additional diagnostic tests pending, the cardiologist will ensure that your primary veterinarian is informed of his/her status with regular communications.
A veterinary cardiologist is a veterinarian who has completed a minimum of four additional years of advanced training beyond their veterinary degree, including a rigorous three-year residency program dedicated exclusively to cardiology. This specialized training equips them with extensive expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of heart and lung diseases in animals, ultimately helping to enhance both quality of life and survival time for their patients.
In order to obtain the highest quality diagnostic images, pets must be able to remain relatively calm for 10–15 minutes while being held by nurses. If a pet becomes too anxious or is unable to stay calm, light sedation may be required.
Yes. If your pet is receiving daily medications prescribed by your rDVM or another veterinarian for health conditions, these medications should be continued on the day of the cardiology appointment. If your pet routinely receives oral sedatives before visits to your primary veterinarian, these should also be continued for the cardiology visit. Please note that these recommendations may change if your primary veterinarian has consulted with the cardiologist prior to the appointment. If you are unsure, please call at least 24 hours before your appointment for clarification.
During the consultation, your pet is examined by a veterinary cardiologist who reviews medical history, listens for murmurs or rhythm changes, and may recommend diagnostic tests such as an ECG/EKG, chest radiographs, blood pressure assessment, or a veterinary echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound). These tests help establish a clear and personalized plan for your pet’s heart care.
A heart murmur is first detected by listening with a stethoscope, then confirmed with imaging. An echocardiogram is typically used to identify the cause and severity, along with ECG or Holter monitoring for rhythm evaluation. These diagnostics guide accurate diagnosis and long-term management of heart disease in pets.
Yes. We offer comprehensive cardiology care for both dogs and cats, including ECG testing (6- and 12-lead), echocardiography, chest radiographs, cardiac biomarker testing, and ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter).
A veterinary echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that shows chamber size, valve function, and blood flow. It helps determine the cause of murmurs, identify cardiomyopathy or valve disease, and guide treatment and activity recommendations.
Monitoring may include in-hospital ECG, blood pressure checks for hypertension management, and take-home Holter monitoring to assess heart rhythm during regular activity.
We manage conditions such as mitral valve disease, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital defects, arrhythmias, pericardial disease, and hypertension. Each care plan is customized with diagnostics, medication management, and follow-up evaluations.
Yes. When necessary, we perform procedures such as pericardiocentesis to remove fluid around the heart, and thoracocentesis or abdominocentesis to improve comfort and assist with diagnosis.
Yes. If surgery or interventional cardiology is indicated, our team coordinates with board-certified surgeons to review options and timing. Many heart conditions can be managed medically, but surgical intervention is available when required.
Warning signs include coughing, shortness of breath, fainting, exercise intolerance, blue-tinged gums, a distended abdomen, or sudden weakness. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a veterinary cardiology appointment immediately.
Follow-up schedules vary depending on the condition and treatment plan. Most pets are re-evaluated every three to six months, or sooner after medication changes. Rechecks may include ECG, blood pressure measurement, and echocardiography.
Yes. We work closely with your primary veterinarian to ensure seamless communication and continuity of care. The cardiology team provides specialized diagnostics and recommendations while your regular veterinarian oversees daily health management.
Yes. We offer second-opinion evaluations for newly detected murmurs and breed certification exams for congenital heart conditions.