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Veterinary Cardiology at Upstate Veterinary Specialties

Veterinary Cardiology is the study and treatment of diseases of the heart and circulatory system, both pulmonary and systemic. In veterinary medicine, cardiology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

What to Expect

An initial visit with the cardiology team typically consists of a 60-minute consultation. All medical records and previously performed diagnostics provided by your primary care veterinarian are reviewed in detail before the appointment. Our cardiologist will perform a complete physical examination specific to the cardiopulmonary system and will discuss further diagnostics and recommendations. Most suggested diagnostics are performed on the same day. Pending the diagnostic results, our cardiologists will discuss a summary of their findings and long-term expectations and treatment options.

Common Conditions, Management, and Treatment of Heart Disease in Pets

Common cardiac conditions include congestive heart failure, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), age-related changes to the valves of the heart, cardiac birth defects, or coughing and other breathing problems.

Evaluation of cardiac diseases frequently requires the use of advanced diagnostic equipment or procedures such as:

Blood pressure monitoring
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Echocardiography (ultrasound)
Radiography
Ambulatory ECG monitoring (Holter or event recorders)
Angiography
Fluoroscopy

These techniques give the cardiologist insight into the structure and function (or dysfunction) of the heart muscle, heart valves, and blood vessels.

Management of cardiac and vascular diseases in pets usually involves oral medical therapy. For some congenital diseases, minimally invasive surgeries can help correct or reduce the severity of the defects. Surgery is also used in older patients to treat pericardial diseases, heart rhythm disturbances (pacemaker implantation), and cardiac tumors.

Most heart conditions require chronic therapy and can be managed on an outpatient basis by a board-certified cardiologist, along with your primary care veterinarian.

Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologists

A veterinary cardiologist has advanced training beyond their doctor of veterinary medicine degree. After completing a three-year residency program, qualified candidates sit for an exam to achieve board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and are considered experts in their field.

Our compassion, training, and experience make our veterinary cardiologists the best choice for managing your pet’s heart disease. If your pet is diagnosed with a heart condition, speak with your primary care veterinarian about a referral to Upstate Veterinary Specialties. Our Veterinary Cardiologists, Dr. Agnieszka Kent, Dr. Cassidy Sedacca, Dr. Andrew Waxman, and Dr. Aaron Wey, and their teams can work with you and your primary care veterinarian to diagnose and manage your pet’s heart disease.