Specialty Appointments

What to Expect at a Specialty Appointment

Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your pet.

Our Pet Care Philosophy

We are an extension of your primary care veterinarian at those times when unique medical care is required for your pet's heart. We proudly serve pet-owners and veterinarians in Boulder, Denver, Foothills, Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, and Basalt by providing advanced-level services and procedures not generally available in family practice.

We will work closely with your family veterinarian and our network of specialists to provide the best course of treatment for your pet. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that our Boulder team receives.

Please see below for more resources and don't hesitate to contact us for more information. 

• Should I see a specialist?

  Just as your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist, your family veterinarian may determine that your dog or cat would benefit from the expertise of a veterinary specialist. Specialists, such as cardiologists and oncologists, can often diagnose specific conditions more rapidly and accurately. They can also provide a second opinion or confirm a previous diagnosis. They can prescribe or adjust treatment regimens to help achieve the best possible health outcome for your pet.

• How does a specialist differ from a regular veterinarian?

  As in human medicine, veterinary specialists have expertise in one specific area. In order to become specialists, they must undergo extensive training, including an internship and residency, develop a research project, and have the findings published in medical journals. They must also complete rigorous exams. Only then have they earned their credentials as board-certified specialists and will be referred to as Diplomates of either the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the American College of Veterinary Radiology, or the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

• What are commonly diagnosed cardiac issues in pets?

  Click to learn more about some of the cardiac issues we commonly see in pets:

  AV Block (Heart Block)
  Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
  Feline Arterial Thromboembolism (FATE)
  Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
  Mitral Regurgitation
  Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  Pericardial Effusion
  Pulmonary Hypertension
  Pulmonic Stenosis
  Subaortic Stenosis (SAS)
  Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
  Sick Sinus Syndrome

• What types of payment options are available?

  Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.

• Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?

  We are proud to offer CareCredit as a financing option. They offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes. Please note that Rocky Mountain Veterinary Cardiology offers 6 months of interest-free financing through CareCredit.

• Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?

  We will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services before pet treatment, however, unforeseen circumstances may arise that influence your final bill.

  We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility, and require a deposit based on our estimate prior to any further treatment.

• Can you help with my pet insurance?

  We’re happy to help you complete pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit.

Pet Owner Resources

Here are some helpful links for you and your pet.