Veterinary Cardiology

“Words alone cannot describe all that your pets give.”

Cardiology Team Members

Veterinarian
Dr. Josh Morgenstern, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)

Veterinary Technician
Emily Barrett, LVT

Veterinary Assistant
Samantha Heinrich, Elizabeth Pullara

Veterinary Cardiology Services Overview

The Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island offers services aimed at accurately diagnosing and offering sound management strategies for patients with congenital and acquired heart disease. The cardiology department at Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island is led by Joshua A. Morgenstern, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology). Dr. Morgenstern is one of less than 200 practicing Board-certified veterinary cardiologists in the world, and specializes in the care of animals with various forms of heart disease. Our cardiology service can perform complex diagnostics to determine an ideal treatment plan and provide comprehensive follow-up for both you and your family veterinarian.

We understand the bond your share with your valued companion and we strive to provide the best possible care.

Cardiology Services Offered at VMCLI:

  • Comprehensive cardiovascular physical examinations
  • Thoracic radiography (chest X-rays)
  • Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Blood pressure measurement
  • Holter monitor (24 hour ECG) and Event monitor placement
  • OFA and ARCH certification
  • Pacemaker interrogation
  • Heartworm disease staging & treatment
  • Heartworm extraction
  • Pericardiocentesis (fluid removal from the sac around the heart)
  • Thoracocentesis (fluid removal from the chest cavity)
  • Abdominocentesis (fluid removal from the abdominal cavity)

Diagnostic Capabilities: state-of-the-art diagnostic testing available includes;

Diagnostic Testing and Interpretation – on-site

  • physical examination
  • 6 lead electrocardiography (ECG)
  • radiographic interpretation
  • echocardiography
  • Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG)
  • Diagnostic Interpretation
  • ECG consultation
  • Radiographic and Echocardiographic consultation

Therapeutic Recommendations and Management Assistance:  Dr. Morgenstern has extensive experience managing and treating both congenital and acquired heart disease in dogs and cats.  He works with your veterinarian to create a sound management strategy for your pet which may include:

  • Interventional cardiac procedures for congenital heart defects
  • Minimally invasive procedures for pericardial effusion
  • Medical management of congenital and acquired heart disease

Continued follow-up and case consultation:  The VMCLI will continue to work with you and your family veterinarian, offering consult, follow-up testing and case management advice.

OFA Heart Clinic and Certification:  VMCLI is helping eradicate congenital heart disease in dogs through its participation in the OFA Heart Certification program.

  • OFA Heart Clinics are offered by VMCLI on request
  • VMCLI offers two levels of heart certification through OFA
    Auscultation: detecting the presence or absence of a heart murmur
    Echocardiogram:  definitively ruling out congenital heart disease

For more information about OFA Heart Certification visit www.ofa.org and click on Cardiac Disease on the left hand side of the home page.

Canine Diseases Treated by the VMCLI Cardiology Team
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Atrial Septal Defects
Congestive Heart Failure
Cor Triatriatum Dexter
Chronic Degenerative Valvular Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Heartworm Disease
Infective Endocarditis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Pericardial Effusion
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonic Stenosis
Subaortic Stenosis
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Ventricular Septal Defects

Feline Diseases Treated by the VMCLI Cardiology Team
Atrioventricular Septal Defects
Congestive Heart Failure
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Feline Arterial Thromboembolism
Mitral Valve Dysplasia
Pericardial Effusion
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Rare-Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Rare-Pulmonic Stenosis
Rare-Subaortic Stenosis
Rare-Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Ventricular Septal Defects