Early diagnostics

Every patient will receive a physical exam, vitals check, pulse oximetry and indirect blood pressure. Depending on the problem we will recommend one or more cardiac diagnostic tests:

  • Electrocardiography (evaluation of the electrical activity of the heart)
  • Thoracic radiography (x-rays): picture of the heart, mostly to look at the lungs
  • Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
  • Holter monitoring (24 or 48 hours of recording the electrical activity of the heart)
  • Implantable loop recording
  • Pacemaker interrogation (checking of a pacemaker function)

Some diseases can cause accumulation of fluid. We will recommend fluid removal to yield a diagnosis and to relief the pressure. These tests are called:

  • Pericardiocentesis : removal of fluid from around the heart (+/- cytology)
  • Thoracocentesis: removal of fluid from space between lungs and chest wall (+/- cytology) and/or
  • Abdominocentesis: removal of fluid from the abdomen (+/- cytology)

Breeds screening can be done on multiple breeds for congenital conditions (present since birth) and adult, acquired disease. OFAcertification may be a requirement for some dogs and cats. We offer this service.

If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (561) 670-0249 or (904) 562-1375 .