Heart Scans & Ultrasound

Pet owner guide:

Heart Scans (Echocardiography)

Heart scans, also called echocardiograms, use ultrasound technology to create detailed, moving images of your pet's heart. We typically recommend a heart scan if your pet has a heart murmur detected during a routine check-up, or if they're showing signs of heart disease such as coughing, difficulty breathing, tiring easily during exercise, or fainting episodes. Heart scans are also important for certain breeds predisposed to heart conditions—like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Boxers, and Dobermanns—allowing us to detect problems early, even before symptoms appear. The scan helps us assess how well the heart is pumping, check valve function, measure the thickness of the heart walls, and identify any fluid build-up or abnormalities. This detailed information guides us in creating the right treatment plan for your pet.

Ultrasound Imaging

Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way to examine your pet's internal organs without surgery or sedation in most cases. We use ultrasound to investigate a wide range of conditions affecting the abdomen—including unexplained vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, or abnormal blood test results. It allows us to examine organs like the liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and intestines in real-time, helping us identify problems such as tumours, blockages, stones, fluid accumulation, or organ disease. The procedure works by sending harmless sound waves through the body; these waves bounce off internal structures and create detailed images on a screen. Your pet simply lies comfortably on their side (usually with a small area of fur clipped to ensure good contact) while we move the ultrasound probe gently across their skin. Most pets tolerate it very well, and we can often discuss our findings with you immediately after the scan.