Mobile cardiology service : Veterinarians
Available services
Echocardiography
Echocardiography uses sound waves as they are reflected to produce an image of organs inside the body. A cardiac ultrasound allows us to visualize the heart muscle, blood flow, heart valves, adjacent structures as well as assess heart function.
This valuable diagnostic tool allows us to determine the origin of a heart murmur, identify the type of cardiac disease, its level of severity and suggest the best treatment.
In addition to performing echocardiography, the cardiologists will :
- Review the patient’s record
- Perform a physical exam
- Review thoracic radiographs
- Analyze the ECG (if available)
- Make clinical recommendations
Several imaging modalities are used in echocardiography to allow the veterinary cardiologist to get a complete diagnostic picture of the patient’s heart condition.
M-mode :
M-mode is used to assess the size of the heart chambers, wall thickness and cardiac function.
2D imaging :
2D imaging produces an overall picture of the heart and surrounding vessels.
This modality is also used for :
- Measuring : size of heart chamber, cardiac function, wall thickness.
- To identify tumours, presence of pericardial effusion, cardiac shunts and abnormal cardiac valves.
Colour flow Doppler imaging :
Colour flow Doppler imaging offers a visual representation of the blood flow inside the heart by identifying both its velocity and direction. The colour indicates in which direction the blood is flowing, whereas colour intensity will give the cardiologist an idea of blood velocity.
A turbulent blood flow may also be detected using this imaging modality. It is particularly useful for diagnosing valvular and congenital anomalies.
Pulse wave Doppler and continuous wave doppler :
This modality allows an assessment of the velocity and direction of the blood flow inside the heart. Combined with colour flow Doppler imaging, it is useful to document abnormal blood flow, cardiac valve leakage and pressure gradient between heart chambers.
Available services
Electrocardiography (ECG)
An ECG is recommended in the following circumstances :
- An arrhythmia is detected on cardiac auscultation
- Syncope/collapse of unknown origin
Available services
Inpatient consultation
During an inpatient consultation, the cardiologists will :
- Review the patient’s record
- Perform a physical exam
- Review thoracic radiographs (taken prior to the consultation)
- ECG analysis (if available)
- Make clinical recommendations
Available services
Blood pressure
Systemic hypertension can have adverse effects on cardiac function such as concentric left ventricle hypertrophy and increased mitral valve regurgitation.
In clinic, blood pressure measurements are usually taken indirectly using a pet MAP or Doppler.
Available services
Ambulatory ECG monitors
24-hour Holter monitor
An ECG is continuously recorded during a 24-hour period.
Dogs can wear the monitor at home for 24 hours while going about their normal routine.
However, cats and some small dogs may need to stay the night at the clinic to ensure a quality recording.
The Holter monitor is recommended in the following circumstances :
- To determine the origin of an episode of syncope/collapse
- To assess the need for antiarrhythmic treatment
- To assess the response to treatment of arrhythmia
- As a screening procedure for genetic heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermans, right ventricle arrythmogenic cardiomyopathy in Boxers)
Available services
Event monitor
An ECG is continuously recorded during a prolonged period (1 month).
Animals can wear the monitor at home during this period while going about their normal routine.
The event monitor is used to determine whether a syncope/collapse is due to dysrhythmia. The owner starts the cardiac recording the moment the event is witnessed.
Which patients venefit from a cardiology consultation?
Asymptomatic canine patient: what diagnostic tests are recommended?
Congenital heart murmur : Echocardiography
Acquired heart murmur large breed : Echocardiography
Acquired heart murmur small breed : Echocardiography vs thoracic radiography in relation to grade and location of murmur
Arrhythmia : ECG, Echocardiography
Preanesthetic evaluation : Echocardiography
Cardiac enlargement on thoracic radiographs : Echocardiography
Elevated NT-proBNP levels : Echocardiography
Screening for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM – Doberman) : Echocardiography
Screening for arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC – Boxer) : Echocardiography
Symptomatic canine patient: what diagnostic tests are recommended?
Exercise intolerance : Thoracic radiographs, +/- Echocardiography
Cough : Thoracic radiographs, +/- Echocardiography
Tachypnea / Dyspnea : Thoracic radiographs, +/- Echocardiography
Syncope / Collapse : Blood work, blood pressure, ECG, Echocardiography, +/- Thoracic radiographs, +/- NT-proBNP, +/- Ambulatory ECG monitor
Asymptomatic feline patient: what diagnostic tests are recommended?
Congenital heart murmur : Echocardiography
Acquired heart murmur : Echocardiography
Gallop rhythm : Echocardiography
Arrhythmia : ECG, Echocardiography
Preanesthetic evaluation : Echocardiography
Cardiac enlargement on thoracic radiographs : Echocardiography
Elevated NT-proBNP levels : Echocardiography
Screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) : Echocardiography
Symptomatic feline patient: what diagnostic tests are recommended?
Thromboembolism : Echocardiography
Pleural effusion : Echocardiography
Tachypnea / Dyspnea : Thoracic radiographs, +/- Echocardiography
Syncope / Collapse : Blood work, Blood pressure, ECG, Echocardiography, +/- Thoracic radiographs, +/- NT-proBNP, +/- Ambulatory ECG monitor
Appointment Booking
To make an appointment, please contact Anysha Chenel at 514-973-3895 or by email at info@evetmobile.com.
Please fill out the requisition form and send it by email at info@evetmobile.com.
Our offices are open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 6pm, on Friday from 8am to 5pm and on Saturday from 9am to 12am.
For emergencies, call 514-441-3895.
Our mobile cardiology services are available to veterinary offices/clinics/centres in the following areas :
- Montreal
- Laval
- Lanaudière
- Montérégie
- Outaouais
If you are interested in our mobile cardiology services and your veterinary care facility is not in the listed areas, please contact Sherry Pouw at 514-973-3895.