Cardiac ultrasound, Bourbon W.
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What is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart.
It is a non-painful test that allows us to see how well the heart is functioning. It also allows us to identify any heart disease, and to offer the most appropriate therapy.
When do we recommend an echocardiogram?
We perform a cardiac ultrasound if we suspect heart disease in your pet.
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Heart Check, William CT
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"MY DOG/MY CAT HAS A HEART MURMUR"
Your veterinarian heard a “heart murmur” during the exam. A "murmur" means that the heart
is making abnormal sounds when we listen with a stethoscope. A murmur alone does not mean
that your pet has heart disease, since some murmurs are benign. A murmur is however a
good indication for a cardiac ultrasound to rule out early heart disease.
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Max, Critters 4 U Rescue
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“MY DOG IS COUGHING, OUT OF BREATH, PANTING”
These symptoms can be signs of advanced heart disease. A cardiac ultrasound will rule out or diagnose a specific heart disease.
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Dilated left atrium and pulmonary edema
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"MY DOG/MY CAT HAS AN ENLARGED HEART ON CHEST RADIOGRAPHS"
A cardiac ultrasound will tell us why the heart is enlarged and if medications are needed.
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Dilated pulmonary vessels and right heart
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"MY DOG IS HEARTWORM POSITIVE"
Dogs get worms in the heart from mosquito bites. The mosquito bites the dog and injects a microscopic larva, which will slowly grow and migrate from the blood vessels to the heart after 6-7 months. Your dog may not show signs of heartworm disease for years, which is why we do yearly heartworm tests and we recommend monthly heartworm prevention all year long. If you dog is heartworm positive, he will need a special treatment and a cardiac ultrasound may be recommended to see how much damage was done to the heart.
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Rowdy, clinic cat, Fort Hunt AH
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"MY CAT IS A BREED AT RISK FOR HCM"
Maine Coons and other breeds (Ragdolls, Burmese, Persians) are genetically predisposed to HCM, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Domestic short hair cats can also get HCM. HCM causes the heart muscle to get too thick over time, which can lead to heart failure. HCM cats can also stay asymptomatic for many years. It is hard to predict if and how fast the disease will progress. A yearly cardiac ultrasound is our best tool to detect, monitor and treat the disease.
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What can I expect on the day of an echocardiogram?
You can feed your pet normally. He will be shaved on both sides of the chest to allow full contact with the probe and achieve the highest quality images.
Will my pet be sedated for an echocardiogram?
Your pet will receive a heart-friendly mild sedative to help him relax during the scan. This is not full sedation, and he will be able to stand and walk, but avoid exercise for the rest of the day.
When will I know the results of the echocardiogram?
The images are sent to a board-certified cardiologist for review. Your veterinarian will call you in 3 business days to discuss the findings and treatment recommendations.
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