Outpatient Echocardiograms
The Surgical and Dental Referral Service at Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital in Newton, MA is expanding!
We are now offering echocardiograms for patients of other practices as a referral service. We know that getting a cardiology appointment for non-urgent cases can be difficult right now. Dr. Jeff Carpenter, who has advanced training and years of experience in cardiac imaging, can perform echocardiograms on an outpatient basis at Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital. All images are reviewed by a board certified cardiologist. This is an ideal service for asymptomatic patients needing pre-operative cardiac screening or have a heart murmur found incidentally at an annual exam.
What we can do
- Echocardiograms
- ECG
- Chest X-rays
- Treatment recommendations for asymptomatic patients
What we won’t do
- Symptomatic patients (ie. CHF, labored breathing, syncopal events)
- Holter monitors
- Dogs > 80 pounds
- Hospitalization and treatment
- Steal clients from other practices. All referred cases will be coded in our system and we will not take them on as regular clients. We are not looking to expand our client base, only to provide more options for echocardiograms in this area.
How Does It Work
- Submit Veterinary Referral Form with information about the case you would like to send and the specific diagnostics you are requesting (Echocardiogram, ECG, Chest X-rays, Bloodwork, etc)
- Our front desk team will contact your client to set up an appointment with Dr. Carpenter. Please do not have the client contact us directly until you have sent us their records – this is how we track them as YOUR client.
- We ask that you prescribe 20mg/kg Gabapentin to be given the night before and morning of your patient’s appointment.
- After the echocardiogram, we will contact your client with the results and send a report to you to manage any ongoing care.
If you have any questions about this service or if you would like more information about the Surgery and Dentistry Referral program at Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by phone or email.
