Cardiac Evaluations

For pet owners in the greater Alabama region, when a beloved dog or cat faces complex health challenges, especially concerning the heart, general veterinary care is often supplemented by a visit to a specialist. Located in Birmingham, Cardiac Evaluations, also known as Animal Rehabilitation and Cardiology (ARC) of Alabama, is a specialized animal hospital dedicated to providing advanced care in veterinary diagnostics, cardiology, and rehabilitation. This facility is a crucial resource for pet families whose veterinarian has recommended a specialist consultation for a heart condition or a specific diagnostic procedure.

The practice is led by a dedicated specialist, Dr. Ingrid Straeter-Knowlen, Dr. med. vet., and operates on a referral-only basis. This means the clinic works closely with your primary family veterinarian, who refers you and your pet when advanced diagnostic tools or specialized cardiac management expertise are required. The entire focus of Cardiac Evaluations is on providing in-depth assessments, accurate diagnoses, and comprehensive treatment plans for pets with heart issues and those needing physical rehabilitation.

For pet owners in Central Alabama, having a specialist facility dedicated to cardiac health nearby is a significant convenience and a critical medical benefit.

Cardiac Evaluations is situated in a central, easily reachable part of Birmingham, Alabama. The physical location is:

2114 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA.

This location is within the greater Birmingham metropolitan area, making it the primary specialist option for many residents across central Alabama. Given the specialized nature of the clinic, which serves pets traveling from a wide radius, the accessibility features are particularly important. The facility offers a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a Wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring comfort and ease of access for all clients and their pets.

Because this is a specialty practice, planning your visit is essential. An appointment is required, and appointments are highly recommended to ensure the veterinary specialist and staff have adequate time to review your pet's medical history and perform the necessary comprehensive diagnostics. The clinic's hours are generally Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but always confirm before traveling, especially since all patients are seen on a referral basis.

The services offered by Cardiac Evaluations are highly focused on specialty and diagnostic procedures, a necessary distinction from a general practice veterinary office. The main goal is to diagnose and manage complex cardiac and musculoskeletal conditions in animals.

• Animal Cardiology: Specialized diagnosis and management of heart and vascular diseases in pets.
• Veterinary Diagnostics: Using advanced technology to understand underlying health conditions.
• Ultrasound Test: Specifically, echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart) to visualize the heart's structure and function, which is critical for cardiac diagnosis.
• ECG or EKG (Electrocardiogram): A test to measure the electrical activity of the heart, vital for detecting arrhythmias and other heart rhythm disorders.
• Blood Pressure Check: Essential monitoring for pets, especially those with heart or kidney conditions.
• Blood Work: Comprehensive laboratory testing to evaluate organ function and overall health.
• Animal Rehabilitation: Specialized care including Physical Therapy to help pets recover from injuries, surgery, or manage chronic conditions.
• Initial and Physical Examination: Thorough evaluations by a specialist to assess the pet's condition.
• Heartworm Prevention: Guidance and management of this crucial preventive care in a heart-focused context.
• Online Pharmacy: Providing convenient access to necessary specialty medications.
• Pet Care: General oversight and consultation within the scope of specialty cardiology and rehabilitation.

Choosing a specialty clinic for a pet’s serious health issue requires careful consideration, and Cardiac Evaluations in Birmingham offers several unique features for Alabama pet owners.

• Specialist-Led Care: The practice is run by a veterinary specialist in cardiology, offering a level of expertise and advanced diagnostic capability beyond what is available at a general practice veterinarian's office.
• Referral-Based System: This ensures that the specialist is fully integrated into your pet’s overall care plan, working in collaboration with your primary vet.
• Dual Focus on Cardiology and Rehabilitation: The combination of advanced heart care and physical therapy provides comprehensive treatment options for complex internal and physical ailments.
• Client Support: Past client reviews often praise the staff and Dr. Straeter for their care, empathy, and providing extra years of quality life for their pets with serious conditions. They are noted for compassionate gestures, such as sending sympathy notes or making donations in the pet's honor.
• Accessibility: The provision of wheelchair-accessible features is important for accommodating all clients traveling with their pets.

For pet owners referred to the practice by their primary veterinarian, the direct contact information is:

Address: 2114 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
Phone: (205) 967-9134 / +1 205-967-9134

The decision to entrust your pet to a specialist is one that is often made during a stressful time. For pet owners across Alabama, particularly those in the central region, Cardiac Evaluations is an indispensable veterinary resource. It is one of the only, if not the only, dedicated pet cardiology and rehabilitation specialty facilities in the Birmingham area. What makes this practice worth choosing is its unwavering focus on complex internal issues, specifically the heart, combined with the capabilities for physical rehabilitation. The specialist expertise, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools like ECG and Ultrasound, and the collaborative referral-based approach offer the best chance for a precise diagnosis and effective management plan for a pet's serious condition. While some historical feedback highlights challenges with patient intake or emergency handling due to the nature of a specialty clinic, the positive testimonials consistently point to the successful management of cardiac conditions, leading to extended quality of life for their beloved companions. Ultimately, when your primary vet determines your pet needs specialized care in cardiology, having this expertise readily available in Birmingham provides a vital lifeline.

As a specialized referral clinic, Cardiac Evaluations operates on an 'Appointment required' and 'Appointments recommended' basis. They are not a general emergency clinic. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, you must immediately contact a full-service emergency veterinary hospital. Clients seeking care must be referred by their primary veterinarian.

Cardiac Evaluations

2114 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA