Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Care

Cardiology

Board-certified cardiac care for dogs and cats — echocardiograms, EKGs, and expert management of heart disease, all without leaving Calabasas.

Heart disease is among the most common serious diagnoses in both dogs and cats — and in many cases, it progresses quietly for years before an owner notices anything wrong. Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas is one of the few veterinary practices in the West San Fernando Valley area with a board-certified cardiologist practicing on-site. Dr. Lynette D'Urso is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine — Cardiology (ACVIM), bringing university-level cardiac expertise to a familiar, family-owned environment. From the first murmur detected on a wellness exam to the long-term management of congestive heart failure, cardiac workup and treatment happen under one roof.

What's Included

Cardiology services at our hospital cover the full spectrum of cardiac evaluation and management:

  • Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound) — the gold standard for evaluating heart structure, valve function, chamber size, and contractility
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG) — assessment of heart rhythm and detection of arrhythmias
  • Cardiac auscultation and murmur grading — initial evaluation and staging of newly detected murmurs
  • Blood pressure monitoring — hypertension screening and management, especially in senior pets and those with cardiac or kidney disease
  • Breed-specific cardiac screening — including Doberman Pinscher, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boxer, and other predisposed breeds
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) management — medication initiation, titration, and monitoring
  • Pre-surgical cardiac risk assessment for pets with known or suspected heart disease
  • Collaborative case management with internal medicine for pets with concurrent systemic disease

Expert cardiac care, close to home

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What to Expect

A cardiology consultation begins with a thorough history — including any episodes of coughing, exercise intolerance, fainting, or abnormal breathing — and a careful cardiac auscultation by Dr. D'Urso before imaging begins. Echocardiography is performed in a calm, low-stress environment with the patient lying comfortably on a padded table; most dogs and cats tolerate the procedure without sedation. Results are reviewed immediately and discussed with you at the conclusion of the appointment. If heart disease is identified, Dr. D'Urso will explain the stage, discuss treatment options, and outline a monitoring plan so you know exactly what to watch for at home and when to come back.

Why Our Team

ACVIM cardiologist on-site.

Dr. Lynette D'Urso brings genuine specialty-level cardiac expertise — not a generalist performing ultrasound — to every echo and EKG interpreted at our hospital.

Echocardiograms on the same visit.

No scheduling an ultrasound technician separately and waiting days for a read — Dr. D'Urso performs and interprets the echo in one appointment.

Integrated with the full hospital.

When cardiac disease intersects with kidney disease, endocrine conditions, or surgical needs, our ACVIM internist and surgeon are steps away.

Breed screening programs.

High-risk breeds can be enrolled in structured cardiac monitoring programs that catch early disease before symptoms develop — and before medical management becomes more urgent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1My dog's vet heard a heart murmur — does that mean my dog has heart disease?
A murmur is an abnormal sound that indicates turbulent blood flow through the heart, but not all murmurs represent serious disease. A cardiology consultation with an echocardiogram determines whether the murmur reflects structural heart disease, its severity, and whether treatment is currently indicated.
2What dog breeds are at high risk for heart disease?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and other small breeds are prone to mitral valve disease; Doberman Pinschers and Boxers are at high risk for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and British Shorthair cats are predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Breed-specific screening programs help catch disease early in these populations.
3What is an echocardiogram and does my pet need to be sedated for one?
An echocardiogram is a real-time ultrasound of the heart that shows chamber size, wall thickness, valve motion, and contractility. Most dogs and cats tolerate the procedure without sedation — they simply lie on a padded table while the probe is placed against their chest. Sedation is occasionally needed for very anxious patients.
4My cat has been diagnosed with HCM — how serious is it?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats ranges widely in severity. Many cats with mild HCM live for years with no or minimal symptoms; others progress to congestive heart failure or are at risk for aortic thromboembolism (a sudden paralysis event). Regular echocardiographic monitoring is important to track progression and guide when medication should start.
5What are the signs of congestive heart failure in dogs?
A persistent soft cough (especially at night or after exercise), labored or rapid breathing, exercise intolerance, weakness, and a distended abdomen are the most common signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. These symptoms warrant a same-day veterinary evaluation, as CHF can deteriorate quickly.
6Can heart disease in pets be cured?
Most forms of heart disease in dogs and cats cannot be cured, but many can be managed effectively with medication for months to years. The goal of treatment is to delay progression, reduce symptoms, and maintain quality of life — and with appropriate management, many cardiac patients remain comfortable and active for a long time after diagnosis.
7When should my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get a cardiology exam?
The Cavalier Health and ACVIM guidelines recommend that Cavaliers be evaluated by a board-certified cardiologist at 18 months of age. If the exam is clear, re-evaluation is recommended every 1–2 years as the dog ages. This allows mitral valve disease to be caught early, before the symptomatic stage.
8Is it safe for my pet with heart disease to have surgery?
Cardiac disease increases anesthetic risk, but it doesn't automatically prohibit necessary surgery. A pre-surgical cardiac risk assessment by Dr. D'Urso, combined with careful anesthetic planning with our surgical team, allows many cardiac patients to safely undergo procedures when the benefit outweighs the risk.

Related

ProceduresEchocardiogramProceduresElectrocardiogram (EKG)ConditionsHeart Disease & MurmursConditionsMitral Valve Disease (MMVD)ConditionsHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)ConditionsCongestive Heart Failure

Expert cardiac care, close to home

Schedule a cardiology consultation with Dr. D'Urso — for a new murmur, a breed screening, or ongoing management of a known heart condition.

Book an Appointment