AUSCULTATION
"Do YOU hear a heart murmur?" Whether you are hoping to breed your dog or have adopted a new puppy, auscultation by a boarded cardiologist may detect important heart sounds which may merit further diagnostics.
CONSULTATION
Meet with your board certified cardiologist for a comprehensive examination of your pet's cardiovascular health.
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THERAPIES
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Management of heart disease
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Management of heart failure
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Pericardiocentesis: a delicate, potentially life-saving procedure which removes fluid from the sac around the heart.
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Thoracocentesis: a delicate, potentially life-saving procedure which removes fluid from around the lungs.
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Abdominocentesis: removes the accumulation of fluid from the belly.
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Arrhythmia therapy offers emergent care for animals facing life-threatening arrhythmias.
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ECHOCARDIOGRAM
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your pet's heart. It enables the cardiologist to view valvular, muscular, and functional aspects of your pet's heart. It evaluates at the heart muscle, the chambers, the function, and the flow of blood through the heart and in/out of the lungs.
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THORACIC ULTRASOUND
A cardiologist is the specialist you refer to when your pet requires a thoracic (lung) ultrasound. This diagnostic aids in the diagnosis of thoracic abnormalities not readily diagnosed on radiographs. A cardiologist can perform aspirates of pulmonary (lung) lesions which aid in diagnostics.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
An electrocardiogram, or ECG/EKG monitors the electrical conductivity in the heart of your pet. This tool diagnoses arrhythmias, and is used to diagnose electrical disturbances in you pet's heart.
THORACIC RADIOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
A board certified cardiologist offers the interpretation of a specialist regarding heart enlargement, heart failure, and other abnormalities regarding the heart and lungs on radiograph.
HOLTER MONITORING
A holter monitor is a noninvasive device your dog or cat wears for 24-48 hours which helps to diagnosis arrhythmias which may not be detectable with brief ECGs. This is also used in pre-breeding screening for breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher and Boxer
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SERVICES
ABOUT US
Pet Heart Specialist, LLC is a mobile veterinary cardiology business which services local referral centers offering veterinary cardiology consultations and diagnostics for veterinary clinics and their clients. All of Dr. Meltzer's cardiology appointments are scheduled directly through the referral centers Dr. Meltzer visits.
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Dr. Karen Meltzer-Driben is an ACVIM board certified veterinary cardiologist. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Lafayette College in 2000. She went on to receive her veterinary degree from The University of Pennsylvania in 2006. She completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery in 2007with Garden State Veterinary Specialists, as well as completing an internship in the specialty of Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2008. She did a residency in cardiology at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital from 2008-2011and was awarded board certification by American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty of Cardiology in 2011. Dr. Meltzer joined Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in 2011 as a full time boarded veterinary cardiologist. In the fall of 2016, she launched Pet Heart Specialists, LLC as an independent contractor in order to service more hospitals and clients with their veterinary cardiology needs.
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Dr. Meltzer resides in southern New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Ian Driben (a general practice veterinarian and owner of Burl-Moor-Driben Animal Hospital), two children, and their 4 legged fur babies, Gritty, an English Toy Spaniel, and Dr. Ian's two clinic cats, Mac & Cheese.
Shannon Murphy is a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) and Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) who began working with Dr. Meltzer in 2012. Shannon began working in veterinary medicine in 2010, and received her associate's degree in veterinary technology in 2011 from Bel-Rea The Institute of Veterinary Technology. She also became a Certified Pet Loss and Bereavement Counselor in 2015 through the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement. She became a board-certified veterinary technician specialist in cardiology in 2019.
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Shannon also lives in southern New Jersey with her 2 great Pyrenees Conall and Murron, her Shih Tzu Erik, a chihuahua named Steve, her cats Mike and Dagny, and her rat, Benjamin.