TACC Mobile Echo
Serving the Connecticut Area
TACC is now providing mobile echo services in Connecticut with Shannon Drozd, a certified veterinary technician. Dr. Justin Carlson has personally trained Shannon in veterinary cardiology image capture. Shannon travels to veterinary practices to offer exceptional echo services, ensuring a high level of cardiac care for patients who cannot see a cardiologist in person.
All of the echocardiograms are read by Dr. Justin Carlson or one of our other TACC cardiologists, and a timely and thorough report is sent to your practice. We are always happy to discuss a case or answer any questions that you may have. Contact us by calling 203-212-8322, emailing MobileEcho@taccvets.com, or by submitting the Echo Request Form below.
Call: 203-212-8322
Email: MobileEcho@taccvets.com
echo request formAbout TACC Mobile Echo
- Specialized Training: Trained by a boarded cardiologist, our technicians possess advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in veterinary cardiology, with a focus on echocardiography, obtained through passing multiple testing milestones.
- Licensed Veterinary Technicians: Veterinary technician licensure is a prerequisite to our training program. TACC Mobile Echo technicians are credentialed veterinary technicians and we ensure adherence to the highest standards of veterinary cardiac care.
- Experience: Our technicians have extensive experience in performing echocardiograms, enabling accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning from TACC cardiologists.
- Echocardiogram (Echo): Comprehensive echocardiographic evaluations, including 2-D, M-mode, and color and spectral Doppler studies. All left and right-sided imaging planes are obtained for review by our cardiologists.
- 6-Lead ECG: A 6-lead ECG can be performed as part of a comprehensive cardiac workup. To best assess the heart rate, rhythm, and electrical axis of your patients, we record for a total of 5 minutes. Interpretation will account for species-specific norms and artifacts to guide accurate diagnosis and provide treatment options when possible.
- Holter Monitor: A Holter Monitor is a non-invasive device used to continuously record a dog’s heart rhythm over 24 hours. It is especially useful for detecting intermittent arrhythmias that may not appear during a brief in-clinic ECG. The recorded data helps guide diagnosis and treatment decisions for conditions like syncope, arrhythmias, or monitoring of known cardiac disease.
- Diagnostic Support: Detailed echo reports inclusive of findings and recommendations, aiding veterinarians in diagnosing and managing cardiac conditions.
- Cardiologist Collaboration: TACC's board-certified cardiologists are available as a resource to answer case questions, allowing veterinarians to provide advanced services to their patients.
- Convenience: On-site echo services provide advanced services within the convenience of your practice and extend the availability of echocardiography to clients who cannot travel to see a board-certified cardiologist.
- Premium Cardiac Care: Enhanced diagnostic capabilities lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes, improving the overall quality of care provided to patients.
- Scheduling: Veterinary practices can schedule directly with our TACC Mobile cardiology technician for either recurring visits or on an as-needed basis, ensuring flexibility and convenience. To schedule a visit, contact us by calling 203-212-8322, emailing MobileEcho@taccvets.com, or by submitting the Echo Request Form below.
- On-Site Services: The technician arrives at the practice with all of the necessary equipment to perform high-quality echocardiograms. Please have one team member available for patient restraint. Each echocardiogram takes an estimated 25-30 minutes, depending on patient temperament.
- Reporting: Detailed reports written by a boarded cardiologist are provided promptly, with findings and recommendations that support the practice’s veterinarians in delivering optimal cardiac care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- At this time, our technicians travel independently. We ask that the veterinary hospital provide a staff member to assist with patient restraint during the echocardiogram.
Our mobile technicians provide services exclusively at veterinary hospitals. We do not make house calls.
Absolutely! We'd be happy to help coordinate an appointment with one of our Board-Certified Veterinary Cardiologists for a comprehensive in-person evaluation.
An echocardiogram provides a snapshot of your patient's cardiac health at the time of the examination. Because our cardiologists have not established a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), they cannot provide ongoing case management or consultation beyond 30 days of the echocardiogram.
If medication initiation or adjustments are recommended based on the echocardiogram, our cardiologists are happy to provide follow-up guidance for up to 30 days after the examination to help assess the patient's response to therapy. After 30 days, no additional case-specific recommendations or interpretation can be provided, as the patient's condition may have changed.
To avoid the $195 cancellation fee, we require at least 2 business days' notice for cancellations. If a patient passes away or is humanely euthanized prior to the scheduled appointment, the cancellation fee will be waived.
Our technicians bring their own ultrasound machine, patient table, and ultrasound gel. We simply ask that the hospital provide:
- A quiet space large enough to accommodate a 2' × 4' table
- · Isopropyl alcohol
Yes. Our technicians are experienced in working with patients of varying temperaments and strive to create a low-stress experience.
For patients that are anxious, we recommend administering pre-appointment medications such as gabapentin and/or trazodone when appropriate. If additional sedation is needed, injectable medications such as butorphanol may be used at the discretion of the attending veterinarian.
Yes. Patients should receive all regularly prescribed medications as directed, including any cardiac medications, unless specifically instructed otherwise by the attending veterinarian or cardiologist.
Most echocardiograms take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The exact time may vary depending on the patient's temperament and cooperation.
Once finalized, echocardiogram reports cannot be edited or amended. Please review all information carefully before submitting your Mobile Echo Request Form. If important information was omitted, notify the technician before the echocardiogram is performed whenever possible.
Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Messages received outside of business hours will be returned on the next business day.
We currently provide mobile echocardiography services throughout Connecticut, with plans to expand into additional regions in 2027.
Hospitals may reserve appointments up to two months in advance. However, we recommend submitting the Mobile Echo Request Form within the month of the scheduled appointment whenever possible. This helps ensure the cardiologists receive the most current medical history, medications, and diagnostic information when interpreting the study.
Yes. We strongly recommend indicating that anesthesia recommendations are needed on the Mobile Echo Request Form or notifying the technician if the patient's plans change at the time of the examination. Our cardiologists are happy to provide anesthesia recommendations for up to 30 days following completion of the echocardiogram. Because they must review the echocardiogram and refamiliarize themselves with the patient's medical history before making recommendations, please allow up to 5 business days for a response.