A Clearer View of Your Pet's Heart

At Middle Brighton Vet, echocardiography - cardiac ultrasound - is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools we have for pets with known or suspected heart disease. It is non-invasive, painless, and gives us information that a stethoscope alone cannot provide.

What is echocardiography?

Echocardiography is an ultrasound of the heart. Using high-frequency sound waves, we can visualise the heart's chambers, valves, and walls in real time - seeing them move with every heartbeat. Colour Doppler technology allows us to see blood flow through the heart and identify where valves are leaking or blood is flowing abnormally.

In simple terms, it turns a murmur from an abstract sound into something we can see, measure, and monitor.

When is an echocardiogram recommended?

We typically recommend echocardiography when:

• A heart murmur has been detected and we need to identify its cause and severity
• A dog with a known murmur is being monitored for progression - particularly when assessing whether MMVD (mitral valve disease) has progressed to Stage B2
• A pet is showing clinical signs that may indicate cardiac disease - coughing, exercise intolerance, rapid breathing, or fluid accumulation
• A breed with a known cardiac predisposition (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dobermanns, Boxers) is being screened as part of a health programme

What does an echocardiogram measure?

A cardiac ultrasound gives us objective measurements including the size of the heart chambers, the thickness of the heart walls, how well the heart muscle is contracting, and the degree of any valve leakage. These measurements allow us to stage the severity of disease accurately - which determines whether medication is indicated and how urgently.

For dogs with MMVD, the echocardiogram is specifically used to determine whether the heart has enlarged enough to meet the criteria for starting pimobendan - the medication shown to delay the onset of heart failure by an average of 15 months when started at the right stage.

What happens during the procedure?

Most pets tolerate echocardiography very well without sedation. The pet lies on a padded table, a small area of fur is clipped or parted on the chest, and gel is applied to allow the ultrasound probe to make contact. The procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

We discuss findings with you immediately after the scan and provide a written report with measurements and recommendations.

When to call us

If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur and has not had an echocardiogram, or if it has been more than twelve months since their last cardiac assessment, contact us to discuss whether one is indicated. For pets showing any of the signs above - coughing, rapid breathing, or reduced exercise tolerance - book a consultation promptly.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.

Related services at Middle Brighton Vet: Echocardiography | Consultations and Health Checks