A board-certified veterinary cardiologist has received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in animals.  In addition to obtaining their doctorate of veterinary medicine degree, a veterinary cardiologist has also completed at least four additional years of intensive training that include an internship and residency program.  Following this training, a veterinary cardiologist completes a rigorous certification and testing process by the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) to become board-certified in their field.  At present, there are fewer than 300 veterinary cardiologists practicing in the U.S., and Dr. Bottorff is the only veterinary cardiologist in Central Oregon. 

Most commonly, heart disease in animals is first detected due to the recognition of an abnormal heart sound (such as a heart murmur or arrhythmia) during a routine examination.  In the early stages of heart disease, affected patients may not display any overt symptoms of their condition.  As heart disease progresses, however, patients may display various symptoms including lethargy, fatigue, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal distention, significant coughing, and even fainting (also called syncope).  In feline patients, severe weakness or paralysis of one or more limbs that feel cool to the touch may also signify severe heart disease and formation of a thromboembolism (or blood clot).  In patients with known or suspected heart disease, a thorough evaluation is important so that heart disease can be treated and preventative medications introduced. 

A heart murmur is a sound that indicates turbulent blood flow traveling through the heart.  Although heart murmurs can occur for various reasons, they cause concern that patients could have underlying heart disease that may need to be monitored or treated.

The term arrhythmia refers to an irregular heart rhythm.  Although there are some arrhythmias that are considered normal patient variants, an arrhythmia may also indicate underlying structural or electrical heart disease.  As a result, patients with an arrhythmia are recommended diagnostics such as an echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess for structural and electrical heart disease respectively.  

If you would like to schedule a cardiology evaluation for your pet with Cascade Veterinary Cardiology, please contact your primary veterinarian to see if they can facilitate an in-clinic/mobile consultation.  If a consultation at your veterinarian’s office is not an option, appointments are also offered weekly at Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center and can be scheduled by calling 541.385.9110 or emailing [email protected].

On the day of your pet’s cardiac evaluation, they should receive any previously prescribed medications.  Although sedatives are generally not required, if your pet has been recommended to have an oral at-home sedative, this should be administered approximately 2-3 hours before the evaluation.  Fasting for cardiac evaluations is not necessary, unless specifically instructed by your primary veterinarian.  Cardiac evaluations typically take approximately 30 minutes; however, your pet may be asked to stay at the clinic longer to ensure any additional diagnostics can be completed.  During the evaluation, your pet will have a small amount of ultrasound gel placed on their chest to facilitate imaging of the heart.  Generally, shaving your pet’s hair is not required for an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG); however, it is necessary if a Holter monitor is performed.  Following your pet’s evaluation, results and recommendations will be relayed to your primary veterinarian to allow for continuity of care with your pet’s trusted provider.  

Please contact your primary veterinarian’s office for fees associated with mobile cardiology consultations.  

Sedation is generally not required but is considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon patient temperament as well as the tests and/or procedures performed.  If your primary veterinarian feels that your pet would benefit from mild sedation, they may prescribe an oral sedative to be administered prior to the examination and/or administer a mild sedative in-hospital.  

Detailed monitoring parameters will be provided following your pet’s cardiac evaluation.  This will ensure your pet is being closely assessed for complications associated with their specific condition.  In general, however, we recommend that patients with heart disease be monitored for a decline in their energy level or stamina, any increase in coughing, difficult breathing, distention (or enlargement) of their abdomen, and fainting or collapse.  Feline patients with heart disease should also be monitored for the development of a significant limping (that is typically also very painful).  This may indicate formation of a blood clot.   

If your pet has received a cardiology consultation with Cascade Veterinary Cardiology at your primary veterinarian’s office, please contact your primary veterinarian for refill requests.  If your pet has had a cardiology evaluation at Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, refills can be requested by contacting via phone 541.385.9110 or email [email protected].