Happy Healthy Hearts - Heart Diagnostics

Exams
Our furry family members can't always let us know when they're feeling off; a physical exam with one of our vets is a key piece to finding health issues before they become bigger problems.

During the exam, the doctor will listen to your cat or dog's heart with a stethoscope to check for anything unusual that may warrant further investigation.

CardioPet ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test used to assess the heart. When the heart beats, an electrical impulse passes through the heart, causing it to contract and pump blood. This impulse passes through the heart in a predictable manner that can be traced on an ECG recording and analyzed for abnormalities within the heart.

These abnormalities may include issues such as arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), abnormal conduction, and other defects of the heart. ECGs can also give us clues as to abnormalities in the size and structure of the various heart chambers.

Radiographs
Chest x-rays can be taken to see what's going on inside your fur family member. These images allow our vets to evaluate the size and shape of the heart and look for changes, such as the presence of fluid. 

Ultrasound
A heart ultrasound, also known as an echocardiogram, uses ultrasound waves to evaluate the heart. This is the most accurate test for visualizing the heart function and size. At Pandosy Vet, Dr Darcy Rae comes in monthly to perform Ultrasounds for our patients.

Another key factor in pet heart health is diet - ensuring your fur family member is getting a complete and balanced diet is key. We'll look more at what this means in an upcoming post so stay tuned!