Our hospital offers Echocardiography as one of our many cardiology services. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound (sonogram) exam of the heart. Many times both radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasound of the heart are recommended for best evaluation of heart disease. X-rays show the size, shape and position of the heart and the ultrasound allows your veterinarian to see the internal structure and function of the heart. The power of echocardiography is the ability to look inside the heart at various structures. Wall thickness can be measured, valves can examined and the flow of blood can be evaluated. These, and other parameters, allow your veterinarian to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment recommendations for diseases of the heart.
The hair on the chest wall behind your pet's elbow area may be clipped to allow adequate visualization of the heart during the ultrasound. Gel is then placed on the skin in this area along with the ultrasound probe to record images of the heart. Ultrasound produces a cross-sectional two-dimensional view of the heart by bouncing high frequency sound waves off the heart. The sound that is reflected back to the probe is used to compose an image. Echocardiography is non-invasive and well-tolerated by most pets.
