Cardiology

Cardiology Services Provided The cardiology team has the advanced training, equipment and expertise to diagnose and treat even the most complex types of cardiac disease. We look forward to working with you and your regular veterinarian in identifying your pet’s cardiac problem(s) and offering various treatment options. The goal of our team is to provide you and your pet with the best care and management of your pet's cardiac disease.

The Cardiologist is available at VSES 6 times per month, including every Wednesday. On other days, a staff doctor at VSES familiar with the case in question will be available to speak with and will contact the cardiologist if necessary.

What Separates us From The Rest?

The extra training and experience that is required to achieve specialist certification ensures that the doctor has the most advanced knowledge and most current techniques available to help your pet’s condition. As the only board-certified veterinary cardiologist in Rochester, we are able to offer the highest level of cardiac care without the need for extensive travel.

For more information about veterinary specialization, please visit American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Veterinarians

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Anna Gelzer, Dr. med. vet., PhD,
Diplomate ACVIM (cardiology), Diplomate ECVIM-CA (cardiology)

Specialty Coordinator

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As the Cardiology Coordinator, Chris greets all clients, obtains a history and reviews the estimate. She restrains the patient during the echo and performs cardiac tests necessary under the direction of the veterinarian. Chris is intimately involved in patient care and answers all phone calls and questions about medications. She also coordinates and schedules the Holter monitor appointments. She communicates closely with the veterinarians when they are off-site via e-mail and telephone. Chris is also responsible for billing and medication refills.


	Christina Gardner, LVT

Your Visit

Initial consultations generally take one hour, but could be longer depending on how many diagnostics need to be performed and the health of the pet at the time of the appointment. Consultations will include a discussion about the pet’s condition, options for further diagnostic tests, and possible treatment plans. All records provided by the referring veterinarian will be reviewed and the final assessment will be sent to the referring veterinarian. A first time visit will likely include the following diagnostics:

Complete physical examination focusing on the cardiovascular system
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Radiograph of the thorax if congestive heart failure is suspected.

If pets need to be hospitalized for cardiac disease, they will be transferred to a different service (Emergency, Critical Care, Internal Medicine).

Services Provided

Cardiology Services Provided We provide diagnosis and treatment of a variety of cardiologic diseases in small companion animals. Many diagnostic tools are utilized on the cardiology service, including:

Bloodwork may be recommended to assess kidney function and electrolytes
Echocardiogram: a cardiac ultrasound
ECG: Electrocardiogram (a rhythm strip to assess cardiac rhythm)
Holter Monitoring: A 24-hour ambulatory ECG to assess cardiac rhythm over a longer period of time, acquired in the home environment)
Thoracic radiographs (chest x-rays)

For a list of diseases treated please click here.

Consultation

Consultations are set up by referral from your local veterinarian and are available weekly. Please call VSES at 424-1260 to schedule an appointment. Emergencies are seen as needed.