Cardiology

Cardiac Examination

exam

Cardiac physical exam includes:

Auscultation (listening) to the heart to evaluate for heart murmurs, arrhythmias (irregular rhythm), or abnormal heart sounds. An abnormal valve can often be identified based on the location of a murmur on the chest.
Palpation (feeling) of the heartbeat.
Auscultation (listening) to the lungs
Assessment of circulation, including femoral pulse quality, jugular pulsation, and mucous membrane color/refill time.

Echocardiography:

An echocardiogram uses soundwaves to evaluate the:

heart chamber size, wall thickness, and cardiac function
appearance and function of the 4 cardiac valves
blood flow across the valves
presence of cardiac tumors or fluid around the heart.
Elevated blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary artery hypertension)
This is the diagnostic test that yields the most information about underlying heart disease type and severity.

SFVS uses a GE VIVID 7 in the Bonita office and an Acuson Cypress in the Sarasota office.

Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)

ekg

An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart and allows accurate determination of both heart rate and rhythm. Any abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia or dysrhythmia) can be detected and further evaluated. SFVS uses a GE MAC 5000, MAC 1200 and a Solar 8000 for in house ECG testing/monitoring.

Holter Monitor

halter

A Holter monitor is a 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram used for arrhythmia detection. This is useful for identifying new arrhythmias as well as evaluating for response to treatment with antiarrhythmic medication. It is also used to screen for arrhythmias in certain at-risk breeds (Doberman, Boxer). Electrodes are placed on both sides of the chest and attached to a recording device. The entire monitor is secured using a combination of tape and a vest or jacket and is typically well tolerated by the animal.

Doppler Blood Pressure

doppler

This test uses Doppler technology to assess the afterload or resistance to blood flowing out of the heart.

High blood pressure (systemic hypertension) can occur in older animals or in animals with diabetes, kidney, adrenal or thyroid disease.

Systemic hypertension can have a significant impact on underlying heart or kidney disease, and can cause blindness in some animals. SFVS uses a Parks Doppler Model 811-B for blood pressure monitoring.

Thoracic Radiography

Radiographs of the chest are used to evaluate:

the size and shape of the heart
the lungs for fluid (from congestive heart failure or other causes), infection/inflammation, or masses
the chest cavity surrounding the heart and lungs
the trachea
thoracic skeleton for evidence or deformity or trauma

Acute heart failure therapy

SFVS has full treatment facilities for acute heart failure management including full oxygen capabilities by mask, nasal catheter, or oxygen chamber. A defibrillator is also available on site.

Fluid removal

Patients with various types of heart disease can accumulate fluid within body cavities. These cavities include the pericardial sac (sac around the heart), chest, or abdomen. This fluid can significantly compromise circulation, energy level, ability to breathe or rest comfortably and can be fatal in some cases if not removed quickly. Fluid can be removed from these cavities (a procedure called centesis) offering near immediate relief for the patient. Fluid can also accumulate in the lungs and skin, but fluid in these locations can only be removed with medication.