For Veterinarians
When you refer a patient to Sawgrass Veterinary Cardiology, you’re partnering with a team that understands the trust you’re placing in us.
With advanced cardiac imaging and surgical facilities, and specialist cardiac expertise across diagnostics and treatment, we’re equipped to support you in handling complex cases with precision and care.
We partner directly with you, so your clients know what to expect—every step of the way. From the way we work to the procedures we perform, and the collaboration you can rely on, we deliver clarity, care, and clinical excellence. Because when it comes to heart disease, you shouldn’t have to manage it alone.
How We Can Help
From diagnosis to treatments, we offer a complete cardiac care pathway for your patients.
Diagnostics
Comprehensive cardiac diagnostics that complement your clinical assessment and guide next steps.
Treatment
Advanced, evidence-based treatment options to support the best outcomes for your patient.
TEER Procedures
Minimally invasive mitral valve repair, performed by an experienced cardiology team.
Diagnostics
We provide fast, reliable cardiac diagnoses grounded in specialist interpretation and advanced imaging. Whether you’re looking to confirm a suspected condition, clarify a murmur, or investigate complex symptoms like syncope or exercise intolerance, we offer precise, clinically actionable insights that guide decision-making.
Our diagnostic process includes:
- High-resolution echocardiography performed and interpreted by board-certified cardiologists
- Real-time ECG and Holter analysis, especially for breeds prone to occult arrhythmias
- Thoracic radiographs interpreted with cardiac context
- Selective use of cardiac biomarkers and advanced diagnostics, when clinically indicated
Our aim is to support your clinical judgment, not override it; by providing targeted diagnostics that help you deliver the best outcomes for your patients. Expect clarity, collaboration, and rapid turnaround of results (often same-day, first visit diagnoses), with direct access to our team to discuss cases whenever needed.
Treatment Options
When a patient needs advanced cardiac care, we’re here to extend the options available to your clients. Our treatment plans are designed to offer specialist-level support where it’s needed most.
We provide:
- Medical management tailored to the specific cardiac condition and patient response
- Interventional procedures such as pericardiocentesis, thoracocentesis, PDA occlusion, balloon valvuloplasties, and pacemaker placement
- Ongoing collaborative case support, including review of progress, and medication adjustments
- Owner education and guidance, so clients stay confident in their care and connected to you as their primary vet
Our role is to help you move the case forward when complexity increases. Whether that means confirming a diagnosis, initiating treatment, or continuing management after a procedure – we keep you informed, involved, and in control of your patient’s care journey.
TEER Procedure
Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) is a minimally invasive mitral valve procedure that offers new hope for carefully selected patients with MMVD. We’re proud to offer this advanced treatment option right here at Sawgrass Veterinary Cardiology – performed by an experienced, multidisciplinary team with deep expertise in interventional cardiology.
We work closely with you on:
- Case selection – helping determine if and when TEER is appropriate for your patient
- Working with you to gather the required imaging and pre-procedural diagnostics – guided by our team to streamline the process
- Clear communication with your clients, so they understand the risks, benefits, and goals of treatment
- Post-procedural management, including ongoing cardiac care and collaboration with your clinic
We understand that TEER sits at the leading edge of what’s possible in veterinary cardiology. You don’t need to make that call on your own. We’re here to help assess suitability, guide your client through next steps, and carry out the procedure with the precision and care it demands—all while keeping you informed and involved throughout.
Eligibility: Dogs must be under the care of a veterinary cardiologist. Inclusion criteria are:
- Body weight 4 to 15 kg
- Severe mitral regurgitation (advanced stage B2 / stage C)
- Appropriate anatomy for edge-to-edge repair (primary A2 segment prolapse)
- Absence of significant non-cardiac disease
Initial eligibility is determined by the SVC TEER Team after echocardiographic evaluation of the patient by SVC or review of referring cardiologist’s report and appropriate echocardiographic DICOM images to allow for proper assessment of the mitral valve pathology and size. Final determination for eligibility is made under anesthesia by transesophageal echocardiography just prior to the procedure.
A downloadable link to the DICOM images should be sent to the SVC.TEER@gmail.com or contact SVC for further guidance to a shareable folder.
FAQ For Veterinarians
What information do you need from me when I refer a patient?
A brief clinical history, your main concerns, and any diagnostics already performed (e.g. auscultation findings, bloodwork, ECGs, or imaging) are helpful but not essential. We’ll take it from there and keep you in the loop.
What happens after I refer a patient?
We contact the client directly, conduct all necessary diagnostics and case assessments, and provide them with a clear plan. You’ll receive a summary of our findings and any treatments initiated, so you stay informed.
Do you handle follow-up care, or should I?
It depends on the case. We’ll manage any required cardiac-specific follow-up, but we always return patients to your care for general health and ongoing monitoring once the cardiac plan is stabilised.
Can I speak to a cardiologist before referring a case?
Absolutely. We welcome pre-referral conversations and are happy to talk through complex cases or questions. We’re here to support your clinical decision-making.
What kind of cases should I consider referring for cardiology review?
Refer any patient with a newly detected murmur, arrhythmia, syncope, exercise intolerance, respiratory signs that could be cardiac, or unclear thoracic imaging. When in doubt, refer, and we can help clarify.
How quickly can you see urgent cases?
We prioritize patients based on medical urgency and can often see critical cases same-day. Call us directly to flag urgent concerns so we can allocate time accordingly.
What should I tell the client before referral?
Let them know they’re being referred to a specialist for a detailed heart evaluation. Reassure them they’ll receive clear answers and a plan, and that we’ll work closely with you throughout the process. Refer to our client handouts section for any addtional information you'd like to print off for the client to read before their referral.
Will you talk to my client about costs?
Yes. We provide clear, upfront pricing and discuss options directly with the client. You don’t need to manage financial discussions - we’ve got that covered.
Can owners stay with their pet during the appointment?
Yes - owners are welcome to stay during most diagnostics, including echocardiography and ECG. Not only do we find that this helps ease anxiety, it also keeps them engaged in their pet’s care and gives us an opportunity to explain what we're seeing - when we're seeing it.
What if I’m unsure whether cardiology is warranted yet?
You’re always welcome to reach out for advice. If you’ve got a case that doesn’t feel straightforward, we’re happy to review the details and help you decide whether referral is the right next step.
Do I need to confirm the diagnosis before referring for TEER?
No - diagnosis and case suitability assessments are part of our process. If you suspect mitral regurgitation or have a patient showing relevant symptoms, refer them to us and we’ll handle all imaging, diagnosis, and case selection in-house.
How do I refer a patient for cardiology assessment or TEER?
You can call us directly, submit a referral online, or email through the details. Our team will liaise with your client, coordinate the appointment, and keep you updated on findings and outcomes.