Veazie Veterinary Clinic owner Dr. David Cloutier has a Special Interest in Cardiac Medicine. Over the past several years he has participated in a variety of continuing education tracts and veterinary conferences from Cardiology to Small Animal Ultrasound. This enables us to provide our clients with comprehensive cardiac work ups, as well as referrals from other practices across Maine.

There are several diagnostic procedures involved in a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s heart. During your appointment we may us some or all of these diagnostics, depending on your pet’s symptoms.

• Auscultation (listening):

  One of the first steps in diagnosing heart disease is listening to your pet’s heart. A murmur is an abnormal extra sound caused by turbulent blood flow in the heart. A murmur is typically classified by grades 1 through 6. Grade 1 is a faint murmur, while grade 6 is a severe murmur that can be felt as well as heard. A heart murmur is not necessarily a cause for concern; many pets live long healthy lives with a mild heart murmur and never require treatment.

• Radiographs (x rays):

  Radiographs allow us to evaluate the entire chest, heart, lungs and vessels.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG):

  ECG measures the electrical impulse generated by the heart. It allows us to evaluate the timing of contractions and evaluate the source of any abnormal beats.

• Blood Pressure:

  An accurate blood pressure measurement is an important piece of information in treating heart disease.

• Cardiac Ultrasound:

  Ultrasound allows Dr. Cloutier to see your pet’s heart function. With it he can visualize the valves, evaluate chamber size, and assess function. Color flow Doppler allows us to see the source of the heart murmur.

• Cardiopet ProBNP:

  This is a blood test to measure the level of a compound released by the heart when it is stressed.

• Cardiac Consult:

  No one test is the “best” or ultimate test. A diagnosis is made by combining the results from the tests. Dr. Cloutier will explain what the diagnosis means for your, pet, including prognosis, anesthesia risks, exercise and diet restrictions, as well as medications that can treat the condition. Dr. Cloutier will gladly answer any questions you have at any time during the process, including any you might think of after you get home.