Why did my vet recommended a cardiac consultation?
Heart disease is very common in both dogs and cats. Your primary veterinarian can detect heart disease on physical examination and perform tests to evaluate the condition. However, to definitively characterize heart disease and optimize therapy, evaluation by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist may be beneficial.
The best test to evaluate the heart is an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart that requires specialized equipment and training. Veterinary Cardiac Imaging can perform this advanced testing from the comfort of your local veterinary clinic.
Who will perform the cardiac evaluation?
All Veterinary Cardiac Imaging cardiac evaluations are performed by Dr. Damon Leeder, an ACVIM board-certified veterinary cardiologist. To become a cardiologist, Damon moved to the US and underwent extensive training, including a 3-year residency program at the University of Minnesota. He subsequently worked in specialty referral hospitals in the USA and also as a cardiology consultant for IDEXX providing case management advice to veterinarians around the world. Damon has recently returned to Australia to offer advanced cardiology services on a mobile basis, travelling to your local veterinary clinic and working closely with your family’s trusted veterinarian.
What happens on the day of the Cardiac evaluation?
Due to the nature of mobile practice, a cardiac evaluation by Veterinary Cardiac Imaging is typically arranged on a “drop-off basis”, where you drop off your pet at your veterinary clinic on the day of the evaluation.
After a focused cardiovascular physical examination and review of your pet’s medical history and past diagnostic tests, a detailed echocardiographic examination is performed utilizing an advanced, state-of-the-art mobile cardiac ultrasound machine. Additional tests such as ECG may also be performed if clinically appropriate.
Once the diagnostic evaluation is complete, Damon consults with your pet’s veterinarian and together a treatment and management plan is developed, taking into account any unique factors that affect your pet. A written assessment and medical management plan is then provided to you and your veterinarian.
What information will I receive after the cardiac evaluation?
To provide you with all the available information about your pet’s heart health, a detailed and specific report is written that will be available to you when you pick up your pet. This report will summarize the test results, provide comprehensive information about the diagnosis, discuss treatment options, and outline long-term monitoring recommendations. This report is specific to your pet and typically answers all the questions you may have about your pet’s cardiac condition.
Is sedation required?
Many pets do not require sedation for a cardiac evaluation. However, some patients benefit from mild sedation to ensure diagnostic images are obtained and to avoid undue stress.
Will my pet’s fur need to be clipped for the cardiac ultrasound?
Most patients benefit from clipping a small patch of fur from their lower chest (in the underarm area, just behind the elbows). If it is important your pet not have any fur clipped (e.g. show dog), please ensure we are made aware of this prior to the evaluation and we will be happy to accommodate this request.
Are the tests invasive or painful?
The primary test performed is the echocardiogram. This test is a form of ultrasound, similar what is used in human ultrasounds (such as in pregnancy ultrasound scans). It is non-invasive, non-painful, and safe. Any other tests typically performed during a cardiac evaluation (e.g. ECG) are also non-invasive and non-painful.
How do I organize a Veterinary cardiac imaging consultation?
Veterinary Cardiac Imaging (VCI) partners with primary vet clinics to provide cardiac diagnostics and treatment. Consultations are arranged directly by your primary vet clinic.
If you would like to organize a cardiology consultation for your pet, please contact your vet clinic to determine if they utilize VCI services. If so, they can make the booking on your behalf. If your clinic does not currently utilize our services, unfortunately evaluation by VCI is likely not possible. Due to a very busy caseload, we are unable to offer services to new clinics.
Please note that we do not consult directly with pet owners at a central referral clinic, nor do we have any control of when a vet clinic requests our services.
We acknowledge the current difficulty of arranging a veterinary cardiology assessment in Sydney. There is a lack of veterinary cardiologists and an overwhelming demand for our services. We wish we could evaluate all pets that would benefit from a cardiac exam and are truly sorry we may not be available to evaluate your pet.
