An echocardiogram is a diagnostic imaging procedure used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. It is a non-invasive test that employs ultrasound technology to create real-time images of the heart, allowing veterinarians to assess heart health and diagnose cardiovascular conditions.

**Visualizing Heart Anatomy**:
- Provides detailed images of heart chambers, valves, and major blood vessels.
- Helps assess abnormalities in size, shape, or structure.

**Evaluating Heart Function**:
- Measures how well the heart pumps blood (ejection fraction, fractional shortening).
- Assesses valve function for regurgitation, stenosis, or insufficiency.

**Doppler Imaging**:
- Evaluates blood flow within the heart and major vessels.
- Detects abnormal flow patterns such as turbulence or leaks.

**Common Indications**:
- Heart murmurs or arrhythmias.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Acquired diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or mitral valve disease.
- Monitoring progression of heart disease and response to treatment.

**Non-Invasive and Safe**:
- Usually performed while the patient is awake or lightly sedated.
- No radiation exposure.

Echocardiograms do not require fasting.

However, if your pet comes to their appointment hungry we can use treats and snacks like cheese or peanut butter to help distract your pet and decrease the need for any sedation. 

Please give your pet all medications prescribed by your primary veterinarian, letting them eat small portion of their meal if food is needed with their medications.

If any sedation is required for echocardiograms, AVID veterinarians employ patient-specific and cardiac-safe dosing and medication protocols. 

Depending on your pet's hair coat thickness and length, your pet may have an area on their chest shaved. 

Hair traps air around it which disrupts the ultrasound waves creating very poor images. 

Often times, if a lesion or concern is identified during ultrasound, the veterinarians of AVID will be able to obtain a sample for additional diagnostics. Sampling may include needle aspiration of masses, sampling of any free fluid, or obtaining samples of any identified cysts or suspected abscesses.

If there are concerns associated with any risk of bleeding, additional diagnostics such as a clotting panel will be recommended. This, along with full blood work can be conducted prior to the imaging appointment with your primary veterinarian.

Results will be sent directly to your primary veterinarian. 

Ultrasound reports are typically received within 3 days. 

Sample diagnostics can range anywhere from 3-10 days depending on the type of diagnostic(s) conducted. All results will be automatically forwarded to your primary veterinarian as they are received. So if multiple tests are conducted, each test will be sent as they are completed.