Echocardiography
Echocardiography is an ultrasound examination of the heart that makes it possible to assess the structure and function of the heart muscle and the heart valves. It is an important method for diagnosing and monitoring heart disease in dogs. In this article, you will learn how echocardiography is performed in dogs, what the benefits are and what the risks are.
How is echocardiography performed in dogs?
Echocardiography in dogs is usually carried out in a veterinary clinic or a specialized center. The dog does not need to be anaesthetized for this, but is simply kept calm or lightly sedated. The vet shaves a small area on the dog's chest to ensure good contact between the ultrasound probe and the skin. A special gel is then applied to guide the sound waves. The ultrasound probe is moved to different positions on the dog's chest to produce different cross-sectional images of the heart. The images are displayed on a monitor and analyzed by the vet.
What are the advantages of echocardiography in dogs?
Echocardiography in dogs has many advantages over other methods of examining the heart, such as X-rays or ECGs. Echocardiography is:
- Non-invasive: no needles or catheters are required that could injure the heart.
- Painless: The dog feels nothing from the examination, except perhaps a slight tingling or pressure sensation.
- Fast: The examination only takes a few minutes and provides immediate results.
- Precise: Echocardiography can show the size, shape, wall thickness, mobility and blood flow of the heart as well as the function and condition of the heart valves very accurately.
- Informative: Echocardiography can detect various types of heart disease, such as congenital heart defects, heart valve defects, myocarditis, heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia.
What are the risks of echocardiography in dogs?
Echocardiography in dogs generally has no risks or side effects. However, complications can occur in rare cases, such as
- Stress: some dogs find the examination uncomfortable or frightening and may become stressed as a result. This can lead to an increased heart rate or blood pressure, which can falsify the result.
- Allergy: Some dogs can have an allergic reaction to the gel that is applied to the skin. This can lead to a rash, itching or swelling.
- Infection: If the dog's skin is injured or inflamed, an infection may occur if the gel or the ultrasound probe comes into contact with the wound.
Echocardiography is a safe and effective method of examining the heart in dogs. It can diagnose and monitor various types of heart disease and thus enable optimal treatment.
The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.
We help you find the nearest vet → This way