Through expert medical management and advanced imaging techniques, our board certified Cardiologists can be a critical component of your pet’s total health care team.
While some cardiac conditions may be serious, many heart diseases are manageable on an outpatient basis and allow for a good quality of life. Early diagnosis and effective treatment will increase your pet’s opportunity to live a normal life.
Heart disease is usually broken down into two large categories.
Congenital heart diseases are cardiac abnormalities that your pet has been born with.
Acquired heart diseases are absent at birth but develop as your pet grows older.
WVRC can diagnose and treat both of these conditions to help improve your pet’s quality of life.
Pets that exhibit any of the following symptoms may benefit from a cardiac evaluation:
- Heart murmur
- Shortness of breath or breathing problems
- Chronic cough
- Heart arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Congenital heart defects
- Fainting
- Fluid accumulation in chest or abdomen
- Exercise intolerance
Pets at risk for anesthesia may also be evaluated by our cardiologist to assess possible risk to develop the most appropriate treatment plan.
Diagnostics
- Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram
- Event Recorder & Holter Monitor
- Fluoroscopy
- Radiography (X-Rays)
- Ultrasound
Helpful Links
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
OFA Cardiac Congenital Disease Database
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine