HEART AND CIRCULATION
Echocardiography
Specialized ultrasound imaging that evaluates heart structure, chamber size, valve movement, function and blood flow.
THE SHORT VERSION
Testing helps answer a clinical question.
Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart. It helps characterize structural and functional cardiac concerns and answers different questions than an electrocardiogram.
What is this test?
Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart. It helps characterize structural and functional cardiac concerns and answers different questions than an electrocardiogram.
What information can it provide?
- Heart chamber size and wall appearance can be evaluated.
- Valve movement and selected abnormalities can be assessed.
- Doppler ultrasound may provide information about blood-flow direction and velocity.
- The examination can help estimate selected aspects of cardiac function.
When might your veterinarian recommend it?
- Investigate a murmur, suspected heart disease, unexplained collapse or concerning imaging findings.
- Characterize known cardiac disease or monitor changes over time.
- Support medication, anesthesia or referral decisions when clinically appropriate.
What can owners do before the visit?
- A small patch of fur may be clipped to improve contact.
- Most animals are positioned gently; sedation is individualized.
- Bring previous chest images, electrocardiograms and medication information.
What can this test not tell you by itself?
- Echocardiography is not the same as an electrical rhythm study.
- Image quality, body size and movement influence interpretation.
- Some heart conditions also require radiographs, blood pressure, rhythm monitoring or laboratory testing.
Do not change medication, interpret an abnormal number as a diagnosis or delay urgent treatment without direction from your veterinary team.
Useful questions for your appointment
- What structural or valve question is the study designed to answer?
- Should an electrocardiogram or chest radiographs also be considered?
- How often, if at all, should this study be repeated?