An echocardiogram, also known as an echo or cardiac ultrasound, is a diagnostic tool that looks closely at the heart as well as inside and around it. An echo uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images, allowing veterinarians to get an idea of what the heart looks like and how it is functioning in real time. This provides information about the size, shape, and function of the heart, its four chambers, the heart valves, and surrounding structures, and blood flow through the heart. Measurements of the heart wall thickness, chamber size, and blood flow are taken. Calculations are done to see how well the heart is functioning based on these measurements.
If your pet was recently diagnosed with a heart murmur or is suspected to have heart disease, your veterinarian may recommend an echo. A heart murmur warrants an echo to determine what disease (if any) is causing the murmur, and how severe the disease is.
The echo can show if the heart is working properly, and if not, what the problem is. Medications and treatments for heart disease are tailored to each pet, so understanding the problem correctly helps provide the best treatment. Echos can also be used to see if treatments are helping or if a change in dosage or new medications are required. At ADAvet, we have board certified cardiologists performing and interpreting our echocardiograms and cardiac patients.