Services
The Cardiology service of the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides state-of-the-art
referral and consultation services for veterinarians and clients seeking diagnostics
and therapy for veterinary patients with cardiac disease such as chronic valvular
disease, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease and cardiac rhythm disturbances.
The service is staffed by only board-certified* cardiologists who are trained in advanced
electrocardiography, echocardiography, and interventional cardiology (including artificial
cardiac pacemaker implantation).
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Echocardiography: Advanced real-time two and three dimensional imaging with basic
and advanced Doppler evaluation (including traditional and tissue Doppler modalities)
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Electrocardiography: Basic 6 or 12-lead ECG, continuous ECG monitoring and ambulatory
(Holter monitor or event recorder) monitoring for diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias.
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Interventional Cardiology: Including, but not limited to artificial pacemaker implantation,
balloon valvuloplasty, PDA occlusion and heartworm embolectomy.
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Thoracic radiography: The cardiology service works in coordination with the LSU VTH
board-certified radiologists for evaluation and interpretation of radiographic studies
involving the cardiovascular system.
What to Expect
- Please bring any medical records that you have including discharge statements, blood
work and case summaries. Please bring any diagnostic results that you have such as
radiographs, ECGs and echocardiogram results. Please bring any medications that your
pet is receiving.
- In general, we will ask you to leave your pet with us for the afternoon in order to
carefully and accurately perform diagnostic testing and treatments if indicated. Your
pet will most likely be ready to go home between 3 and 5 p.m.
- Please continue to give any medications as directed by your veterinarian or cardiologist
on the day of the appointment, even if you know that sedation or anesthesia is planned,
unless you have been specifically directed by someone from the cardiology service
to withhold particular medications.
- We recommend removing your pet's food for about 12 hours before your appointment time.
If your pet is debilitated or is a puppy or kitten, feed as usual. Always allow access
to fresh water.
- Most appointments will follow the outline listed below:
- Physical Examination and History
- A fourth-year veterinary student will escort the client and patient into an exam room
to take a complete history while they perform a physical examination on the patient
as long as the patient is stable. This will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
- The student will then leave the room for about fifteen to thirty minutes to consult
with one of our faculty cardiologists and intern. The history, physical examination
findings and any previous diagnostic test results will be reviewed. The client will
then meet the cardiologist and intern. After a discussion of the diagnostic tests
that are recommended, we will ask to keep your pet for the afternoon in order to allow
adequate time for complete evaluation.
- Diagnostic tests for patients suspected of having heart disease often include electrocardiography,
echocardiography, radiography, and various blood tests. Sedation may be needed for
some patients in order to obtain accurate diagnostic test results. We will discuss
sedation with you if it is needed for your pet.
- At the time of discharge from the hospital (usually between 3 and 5 p.m.), the cardiologist
will discuss the findings from the diagnostic tests and the patient's condition. We
will answer any questions that arise and send home any medications deemed necessary.
Additionally, a typed discharge summary will also go home with the owner and a copy
will be faxed to the referring veterinarian. This summary will describe the diagnostic
test results, diagnoses, medications, instructions for monitoring at home and follow
up information.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty
Henry Green
DVM (LSU 1999), DACVIM (Cardiology)
Associate Professor of Veterinary Cardiology
Associate Dean for Opportunity and Engagement
Dr. Green's Faculty Page
Intern
Krizia Rodriguez, DVM
August 2024 - June 2025
Veterinary Technician
Thomas Sugg