Medical Therapy

Most common therapeutic interventions are given on a long term outpatient basis. Potential medical options are discussed after appropriate diagnostics are performed and a diagnosis is obtained. During your appointment, we will discuss prognosis with and without medical therapy, desired results and potential side effects of each medication. A follow-up schedule for recheck appointments, both with your family veterinarian and our Cardiology Team will be outlined.

Hospitalization

There are some cardiac emergencies that can require urgent hospitalization and critical stabilization in an oxygen enriched environment, which often requires an emergency and 24-hour hospital. Coast to Coast Cardiology works with multiple 24-hour emergency and specialty centers who can provide optimal care for your pet if hospitalization is required.

Minimally-invasive interventional catheter based procedures

There are a number of cardiac conditions that may require a procedural intervention. Most common procedures performed are Patent Ductus Arteriosus occlusions, Pulmonic Stenosis balloon valvuloplasty and Pacemaker implantation. These procedures are performed at partnered hospitals with the use of a Fluoroscopy unit, a diagnostic modality similar to radiographs but which also allows a moving image to be visualized. Usually patients are hospitalized for 1-2 days, and their small incisions heal quickly. These procedures are considered minimally invasive because of the small catheters used through the patient’s arteries and veins which allow access to the heart instead of opening the chest cavity. Recovery times are significantly shorter for these minimally invasive procedures as compared to open-chest surgery.