How to submit a cardiac referral
1. Submit a Referral Form
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
You may either submit a cardiac referral form directly via e-submission (below) or e-mail a complete referral form to shuksanvet@gmail.com. Please include as much information as you know for the specialist. Providing accurate client contact information is especially important.
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
Please include SOAP notes, pertinent labwork and any imaging from the past 2 years. Please include any prior cardiac diagnostics. DICOM radiographs will be included in the submission at no charge. New radiographs can be submitted with the ultrasound for an additional fee . If you aren't sure how to provide DICOM images for download please reach out to our team.
3. Prescribe Pre-medications
2. Attach or e-mail medical records
3. Prescribe Pre-medications
While not mandatory, we request that Gabapentin and Trazadone be dispensed by the referring DVM as pre-medications for all cardiac scans. It greatly decreases patient anxiety and may reduce or eliminate the need for injectable sedation. Owners should administer both medications the night before and the morning of the ultrasound.
4. We do the scheduling!
4. We do the scheduling!
3. Prescribe Pre-medications
Our staff will reach out to your client to schedule the next available cardiac ultrasound in Oak Harbor. We will take care of all client communication and pre-procedural instructions. Clients will not be offered an appointment until a referral form is received.
5. Receive the Results
4. We do the scheduling!
5. Receive the Results
For Thursday cardiac scans, we anticipate a final report within 48-72 hours. Our cardiologist will provide a written assessment, diagnosis, treatment plan (with medications and dosages) and follow up recommendations. Case management will then be in the hands of the primary veterinarian. Our cardiologist is available for follow up consultations/questions if needed.
Preliminary findings
All cardiac ultrasounds will be sent to a board certified cardiologist for interpretation. Sometimes there are ultrasound findings which warrant immediate addition or a change of medication. These decisions will be based on Dr. Callihan's clinical impression and what she deems safest for the patient in the short term. Decisions regarding cardiac medications may or may not be not be made at the time of the cardiac ultrasound. The sonographers impressions are always preliminary and all final treatment recommendations will be made by the interpreting cardiologist.
