Echocardiography

Echocardiography is the art of using ultrasound to view the structure and function of the heart in real time. Ultrasound is a highly informative, non-invasive and safe diagnostic test in both human and veterinary medicine. This technique uses high frequency sound waves emitted from a hand-held probe to produce an ultrasound beam.

This ultrasound beam is reflected from the tissues in the chest and heart and returns to the ultrasound probe to construct an image of the heart in motion. A variety of types of echocardiography are used to show the structure of the heart walls, chambers and valves (2 or 3-dimensional echocardiography), blood flow direction and velocity (Doppler echocardiography, including color, pulsed and continuous wave) and heart wall motion velocity (Tissue Doppler echocardiography).

• Quick & Comfortable Examination
• Knowledgeable Staff
• Immediate Results

An echo is a little bit different from a general ultrasound because it requires a great deal of knowledge and training to perform, is more technically difficult, and sometimes requires specialized equipment such as cardiac transducers. This form of imaging is tightly focused on the heart. Other organs, such as those in the belly, are not examined with an echo.

Most animals do not need to be shaved for an echocardiogram. A small amount of alcohol is used to separate the hair on the chest wall and water-soluble ultrasound gel is used to provide contact with the ultrasound probe. Occasionally, dogs or cats may need to have a small section of hair shaved to provide optimal imaging of their heart if their coat is very thick. Please tell the cardiologist if your pet should not have their hair shaved.

No. Echocardiography is a painless procedure.  The generation of an ultrasound image requires that the ultrasound probe gently contact the body wall, however, there is no sensation associated with the actual ultrasound. Your pet will lie on a padded table for the echocardiogram to provide additional comfort.

Our veterinary cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in dogs & cats. The cardiologists at Desert Veterinary Medical Specialists are dedicated to providing the best possible care for animals with heart conditions.

For a consultation call us today at 480-635-1110 EXT. 7.