Heart disease does not always give warnings.

Sometimes it progresses quietly, with subtle changes in energy or breathing that go unnoticed. Other times, it shows up suddenly and dramatically.

A dog struggling to breathe late at night.

A cat collapsing without warning.

A pet arriving through emergency doors in heart failure.

In these moments, families are focused on one thing, helping their pet survive the crisis.

But what happens next involves more than emergency care alone.

What families see in the ER

When pets arrive in cardiac distress, emergency teams move quickly.

Oxygen therapy may begin immediately. IV medications help remove fluid from the lungs or support heart function. Monitoring equipment tracks heart rhythm and oxygen levels while teams stabilize breathing and circulation.

Every action focuses on getting pets through the immediate danger.

What families don’t see behind the scenes

At the same time emergency teams are stabilizing patients; collaboration is already happening.

Emergency veterinarians and cardiologists review test results and imaging, working together to answer critical questions:

• What caused this episode?

• Is this heart disease, arrhythmia, or another condition?

• How can we prevent another emergency?

Once pets are stable, cardiology steps in to evaluate heart structure and function and build a treatment plan aimed at preventing future crises.

“Emergency care handles the immediate danger,” explains Dr. Ivan Sosa-Samper, Veterinary Cardiologist, Boston West. “Cardiology care focuses on preventing the next crisis so pets can return home and stay stable.”

Why having both teams in one hospital matters

When cardiology and emergency services operate under the same roof, care becomes smoother and faster.

Medical records, imaging, and test results are shared instantly. Specialists can evaluate patients without transferring them to another facility, which reduces stress for both pets and families.

This collaboration means:

• Faster access to specialty expertise

• Fewer hospital transfers

• More coordinated treatment plans

• Clearer long-term management strategies

Families receive answers sooner, and pets move safely from crisis stabilization to recovery planning.

Beyond the emergency visit

The most rewarding outcome for both teams is seeing pets return home, stabilize, and continue enjoying normal routines without repeated emergencies.

That outcome depends on teamwork between emergency doctors, cardiologists, primary veterinarians, and families working together after the crisis has passed.

At Boston West, emergency and cardiology teams share a single goal: helping pets survive critical moments and supporting them long after they leave the hospital.

One hospital. Multiple experts. One shared goal.

Expert Care. Local Heart.