Although heart problems are found more often in older pets, these conditions can affect pets at any age. Heart disease is usually a life-threatening condition, but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend your pet’s life. If caught soon enough, some forms of heart disease can be managed.
Heart disease can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), which occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. If an animal is suffering from CHF, fluid usually accumulates in and around the lungs and sometimes in the abdomen. Congenital heart disease (animals born with a heart problem), valvular heart disease (abnormalities of the heart valves), arrhythmias (rhythm disturbances), and heartworm disease can all lead to CHF.
Call us if your pet starts breathing rapidly or coughing, loses his or her appetite, tires easily, seems weak or has trouble exercising. We can discover many heart problems during a physical exam. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds, are usually needed to accurately identify the cause of the heart disease or failure.
CardioCare Vet Services
CardioCare Vet Services is a mobile veterinary cardiology service based in Michigan. It is owned and operated by Dr. Alyssa Pinkos, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology). pinkos.cardiology@gmail.com
Dr. Alyssa Pinkos is a board-certified, veterinary Cardiologist. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Dr. Pinkos then did a small animal rotating internship at the University of Wisconsin followed by a 1-year cardiology internship in Los Angeles at the Animal Specialty and Emergency Center. She completed a 3-year residency in Cardiology at the University of Minnesota in 2018 and that same year became board-certified DACVIM (Cardiology).
Dr. Pinkos has conducted research & published peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of interventional cardiology. She has been a speaker at national veterinary events.
Dr. Pinkos has been practicing at veterinary hospitals in Chicago and suburban Detroit for the past 5 years. She started her mobile practice to deliver the top tier of specialty medicine to patients in an accessible manner. Patients are able to be seen closer to home, often at their own veterinary clinic. Dr. Pinkos offers comprehensive cardiology services including echocardiograms, OFA certification, Holter monitoring, and diagnostic interpretation (radiographs, electrocardiograms).
She enjoys working as a cohesive team with general practitioners, always supporting clients in a personal, individualized, and caring manner.
Please visit www.cardiocarevet.com for more information.
