Echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound examination used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. This advanced diagnostic test provides real-time visualization of the heart’s chambers, valves, muscle movement, and blood flow, allowing for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of many forms of heart disease in dogs and cats.
During an echocardiogram, pets are typically positioned comfortably on a padded examination table. Small areas of hair on the chest may be clipped to improve image quality, and ultrasound gel is applied to allow the probe to transmit sound waves effectively. Most patients tolerate the procedure very well and remain awake throughout the study. Sedation is rarely required.
Using sophisticated imaging techniques including Doppler ultrasound, we are able to assess how blood moves through the heart and major vessels, measure chamber size and wall thickness, evaluate valve function, and determine how efficiently the heart is pumping.
Echocardiography is commonly recommended for pets with:
- Heart murmurs detected on physical examination
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Coughing, exercise intolerance, or fatigue
- Breathing difficulty or suspected congestive heart failure
- Suspected congenital heart defects
- Monitoring of known heart disease
- Pre-anesthetic cardiac evaluation in higher-risk patients
This examination allows us to diagnose conditions such as degenerative valve disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, pericardial disease, and other structural or functional cardiac abnormalities. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for developing appropriate treatment strategies and improving long-term outcomes.
Providing echocardiography in-house allows us to identify cardiac disease sooner, guide treatment decisions more precisely, and monitor patients closely as their condition evolves