What is Echocardiography?
Echocardiography is a specialized, noninvasive ultrasound examination of your pet’s heart. It enables real-time evaluation of cardiac structure and function, including heart chamber size, wall motion, valve performance, and blood flow. This advanced imaging study provides critical insight into how the heart is working and helps guide accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing case management. Echocardiograms are painless and typically well tolerated. Most studies are completed within 30–45 minutes while your pet rests comfortably.
The Arrow Advantage
At Arrow Diagnostic Imaging, echocardiography is performed using advanced Samsung veterinary ultrasound technology that delivers exceptional image clarity and precise Doppler measurements. This technology, combined with expert image acquisition and interpretation, ensures reliable, detailed cardiac information to support confident clinical decisions for your pet.
What to Expect During Your Pet’s Echocardiogram
Echocardiography is performed while your pet rests comfortably in a padded trough on their side. Most pets tolerate the procedure well without sedation, though light sedation may occasionally be recommended. The entire examination typically takes 30–45 minutes. The images are immediately sent to a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, Dr. Laura Hatton (DVM DACVIM- Cardiology) with Heart to Heart Veterinary Cardiology, who provides a detailed report with recommendations. Results are typically available within 24-36 hours after submission.
Echocardiography Applications Include:
- Heart murmur assessment
- Valve disease and structural heart disease evaluation
- Heart chamber size and wall thickness measurement
- Doppler assessment of blood flow & pressure changes
- Monitoring response to medications
- Pre-treatment or pre-anesthetic cardiac assessment