Echocardiogram

A veterinarian may recommend an echocardiogram if they hear a heart murmur (abnormal heart sound) or arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) on examination. They may also recommend an echocardiogram if x-rays of a pet’s chest show signs of an abnormal heart or if the pet is experiencing clinical signs commonly associated with heart disease. A heart murmur is caused by turbulent blood flow which is typically associated with a leaking heart valve, a narrow major blood vessel, or a defect in the wall of the heart. A heart murmur is often one of the first exam findings that are noted in a pet with heart disease. As a result, an echocardiogram is often recommended to confirm the cause of the heart murmur as well as to assess the heart function.

Unlike an abdominal ultrasound, a pet having an echocardiogram performed does not require special preparation the day before the procedure is done. That being said, they do require having a small area on both sides of the chest clipped prior to performing the echocardiogram. Depending on the pet’s health and temperament, a sedative may be given to allow us to obtain better diagnostic images especially in pets who have a hard time staying still. Pets who have an echocardiogram performed are always discharged the same day of the procedure.