At Little Animal Hospital in Longview, Texas we offer the very best in veterinary care for your pet. To do this, we often conduct echocardiograms and ECGs. These diagnostic tests provide our veterinarian with a clearer view of your pet’s condition, allowing us to treat your pet in the most effective possible manner. If our veterinary team determines that your animal needs one of these diagnostic tests, we will conduct one right in our office.

What is an Echocardiogram and Why Might My Pet Need One?
An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test used to measure the health of the heart. If your pet needs an echocardiogram to rule out a heart problem, it can be done quickly and painlessly right in our office. An echocardiogram will reveal any abnormalities in the heart that might be causing health problems. Potential heart abnormalities include:

  • Thickness of the heart walls and valves
  • Impaired blood flow
  • Presence of blood clots
  • Effectiveness of heart function
  • Heart enlargement or malformation
  • Muscle damage

What is an ECG And Why Might My Pet Need One?
ECG stands for electrocardiogram. This term sounds very similar to an echocardiogram, but the two tests are very different. Rather than looking at the shape of the heart, ECGs measure the rhythm and electrical function of the heart. This ensures that the heart is working properly to deliver blood and oxygen to every part of your pet’s body.

What Happens During These Tests?
Echocardiograms and ECGs are non-invasive tests. They resemble ultrasounds. During these tests, we will attach equipment to your pet’s chest, torso, and back. These tests only take a few minutes to measure the functionality of the heart. During the process, our veterinary team at Little Animal Hospital will do everything possible to keep your pet feeling calm and comfortable.

What’s The Next Step?
Echocardiograms and ECGs are diagnostic tools, which means that they simply point to a problem. If your pet’s procedure shows an issue with their heart, we will make a comprehensive care plan to get them the follow-up treatment that they need. This might mean medication, therapy, or surgery, depending on the results of the test.

Veterinarian in Longview, Texas
A heart problem is a serious issue. However, being diagnosed with a heart issue does not mean that your pet won’t live a long and happy life for many years to come. If you suspect that your pet has a heart problem, time is of the essence. For more information on Echocardiograms, ECGs, or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian, call Little Animal Hospital at (903) 759-8781.