We offer echocardiograms to assess your pet’s heart health, detect diseases, evaluate heart size and function, assess blood flow, and identify abnormalities such as murmurs or valve issues.

Our veterinarians and certified team are trained in obtaining high-quality ultrasound images, which are reviewed by specialized cardiologists through Oncura for precise diagnosis.

For the procedure, we recommend fasting your pet for 12 hours prior, as sedation may be required but is avoided when possible. Blood pressure measurements and EKG assessments may also be performed.

Echocardiograms are scheduled on weekday mornings. Please ensure timely drop-off to allow for prompt assistance from our Sonographers. The procedure may take several hours, and your pet can go home afterward.

Results are usually available within a week, though urgent cases may receive a stat report sooner.

Symptoms Warranting an Echocardiogram

• Coughing: Persistent or worsening cough, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
• Difficulty Breathing: Labored breathing, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.
• Fainting or Collapse: Episodes of fainting or sudden collapse.
• Exercise Intolerance: Reluctance to exercise or play, or fatigue during normal activities.
• Abnormal Heart Sounds: Detection of heart murmurs or abnormal heart rhythms during auscultation.
• Swelling: Swelling in the abdomen or limbs, which might indicate fluid buildup.
• Wheezing: Audible wheezing, which could be associated with heart or lung issues.

What an Echocardiogram Can Detect

• Heart Murmurs: Evaluation of the cause of abnormal heart sounds.
• Heart Size and Function: Measurement of heart chambers and assessment of overall heart function.
• Valve Issues: Detection of problems with heart valves, such as stenosis or regurgitation.
• Cardiac Output: Measurement of how well the heart pumps blood.
• Congenital Heart Defects: Identification of structural heart abnormalities present from birth.
• Heart Disease: Assessment of conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.