What to expect
At the Veterinary Heart Institute our priority is always your pets, and we strive to make every experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
How to prepare
In order to make the most of the time we spend with our patients, the pets, we ask you that you provide all info in advance.
Prior to your appointment:
- Please request any pertinent medical record from your primary doctor.
- Fill and return the questionnaire and consent we send you to ensure that the arrival is as smooth as possible and your pet can be drop off without any delay. If you have additional information to share with us, you can always send us an email with additional information.
- If the pet is not tolerating stress very easily, please notify us as we can prepare in advance. We may recommend to consult with your veterinarian to receive gabapentin or trazadone prior to arrival.
- Please notify us in advance if you will be driving from a distance as we will keep that in mind in the way we work through our daily diagnostics.
Day of appointment:
- Our experienced nurses will receive your pet and take them inside our exam room for examination. They will obtain the vitals which will also include the blood pressure. Depending on how the patient adjusts, we may consider to give your pet several breaks to minimize stress and reset.
- Your pet will stay with us for evaluation and you will return later to pick up. You can arrange for other people to drop off and pick up as long as they are authorized by you. You can choose to talk to the doctor by phone or in person. Please understand that if you decide to talk to the doctor in person, it may take some time.
- Depending on what tests are necessary and how your pet is tolerating them, plan for your pet to be with us for hours. We will call you as soon as done.
Scheduling
For appointments, questions, or medication refills, please call our scheduling department from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
We are closed after hours and on weekends, but the answering service will take your call. Please leave a detailed message and a phone number to call you back.
Cardiology appointments
Drop off are available starting at 8:30 AM
EVI appointments
1 hour appointments are available in different locations. The fellow doctor will call you back with the recommendations provided by the cardiologist.
In Case of Emergency
This section provides critical steps and information on how to handle pet emergencies, ensuring you are prepared to act swiftly and effectively when your pet needs immediate care.
Telecardio
Our telecardio service allows you to consult with our veterinarians remotely, providing convenient access to expert advice and follow-up care without leaving your home.
Clinical File
The Clinical File page enables you to input detailed information about your pet’s medical history and current health status, creating a thorough record that helps us provide the best possible care.