informational brochures

Cardiology Services

Your pet deserves the best diagnostic imaging services available. With  that goal, Mass Vet

Cardiology is proud to be able to offer you the convenience of specialty cardiology services

near the Big E, in West Springfield, Massachusetts, performed by board-certified specialist,

 Nancy Morris DVM, Diplomate ACVIM in Cardiology. 

Availability of appointments

Cardiology services are available by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Office hours are from 8am to 5pm. Please call Lauren at 413-734-1292 for information or to schedule and appointment.

• ·  Wednesdays

Urgent or emergency care appointments are available for Mass Vet Cardiology clients

or by special request of your primary care vet on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

• ·  Urgent or emergency care appointments are available for Mass Vet Cardiology clients or by special request of your primary care vet on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Cardiology Consultations

Your veterinarian may suggest a cardiology consultation with a veterinary cardiology specialist, if a heart murmur is detected; abnormal heart beats are identified or your pet is experiencing trouble breathing or coughing.

The initial cardiology consultation is scheduled for one hour.  Our cardiologist will take a history and examine all clinical materials sent along with you to the visit by your vet. She will examine your pet and listen for a heart murmur, abnormal lung sounds and abnormal heart beats.  Additional diagnostic tests, may be suggested based upon the initial evaluation. The primary test used to determine the cause of heart murmurs is an ultrasound or “echocardiogram” of the heart.

The Echocardiogram

“Echo’s” or ultrasound of the heart is performed during the one hour consultation.  It is a non-invasive test that does not cause any pain or discomfort. It may be necessary in some breeds to clip a small amount of fur under the armpit.  Water soluable, non-toxic, gel is applied to the skin to aid in imaging the heart.  We find that both dogs and cats, are much less anxious about the procedure if their owner’s are present to reassure them.  Most pets do not require sedation for this procedure.  Unlike abdominal ultrasonography, fasting is not required prior to the visit.

The echo provides information on the structure and function of the heart.  Abnormalities of the heart muscle or cardiomyopathy and congenital heart defects leading to abnormal blood flow and leaky heart valves can be identified with color flow Doppler. The echo pictures are used by the veterinary cardiologist  to diagnose why your pet has a heart murmur. The echo’s images are also used to determine how advanced or serious your pets heart condition is. A treatment plan is created with this information and the doctor will discuss the diagnosis and recommendations with you.  A

summary of the cardiology consultation will befaxed or emailed to your primary care vet.

ECG

Your pet may need to have an ECG performed if an abnormal heart rhythm is suspected.   Some abnormal heart beats cause your pet to not feel well or may even cause them to pass out or faint.  Many of these abnormal heart beats can be treated with medications, or a pacemaker implant. An ECG is necessary to diagnose and classify the type of arrhythmia present and is used by the veterinary cardiologist to make treatment recommendations.  It is a simple test where by wires are clipped to your pets skin to record the electrical activity of the heart.

Holter Monitoring

24 hour holter monitoring or around the clock recording of your pets heart rhythm may be suggested to better define the heart rhythm problem.  The ECG records about 2 minutes whereas the holter records 24 hrs of heart beats. 

Comfortable spandex vests are used to provide comfort to your dog during the procedure.  Your dog will be sent home with the monitor on and you will need to keep a diary of your pets activity.  Monitors are removed the following day and scanned for abnormalities.  A report of the findings from the holter study along with treatment recommendations will be faxed to your primary care vet.