Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography) for Dogs & Cats
Heart murmurs, exercise intolerance, coughing, breathing difficulty, fainting episodes, and abdominal distension can all indicate heart disease. Echocardiography — cardiac ultrasound — is the gold standard for evaluating heart structure and function in dogs and cats.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI), our board-certified radiologists perform comprehensive echocardiographic evaluations, assessing chamber sizes, valve function, myocardial thickness, blood flow patterns, and pericardial structures to identify the type and severity of heart disease.
SVI offers cardiac ultrasound at our centers in Round Rock, Texas; Spring, Texas; and Sandy, Utah.
Common Cardiac Conditions We Evaluate
Heart disease in dogs and cats takes many forms, from valve degeneration to muscle disease to congenital defects. Echocardiography provides the detailed structural and functional assessment needed to guide treatment.
Valvular Heart Disease
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs, particularly small breeds. Echocardiography shows valve thickening, prolapse, the severity of regurgitation (backflow), and secondary changes including left atrial enlargement and ventricular remodeling. These measurements directly determine disease stage (ACVIM B1, B2, C, D) and guide decisions about when to start medications like pimobendan.
Learn more about valve disease →Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathies — diseases of the heart muscle — are common in both dogs and cats. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes chamber enlargement and reduced contractility in dogs, while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes ventricular wall thickening in cats. Echocardiography measures wall thickness, chamber dimensions, and systolic function, enabling accurate diagnosis and staging. Serial echocardiograms monitor disease progression and treatment response.
Learn more about cardiomyopathy →Pericardial Effusion & Cardiac Tumors
Pericardial effusion — fluid around the heart — is a common emergency in dogs. Echocardiography confirms the effusion, assesses for cardiac tamponade (life-threatening compression), and identifies the underlying cause. Right atrial hemangiosarcoma and heart base tumors (chemodectoma) are the most common causes in dogs. Ultrasound reveals tumor location, size, and involvement of surrounding structures, guiding decisions about pericardiocentesis, surgery, or chemotherapy.
Learn more about pericardial effusion →Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are diagnosed most often in puppies and kittens with murmurs detected during early veterinary visits. Echocardiography identifies the specific defect, quantifies its severity, and guides treatment decisions. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonic stenosis may benefit from interventional catheterization, while subaortic stenosis is managed medically. Accurate diagnosis with echo is essential because treatment varies dramatically between defects.
Learn more about congenital heart defects →Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension — elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries — can develop secondary to chronic respiratory disease, heartworm infection, left heart failure, or pulmonary thromboembolism. Echocardiography estimates pulmonary artery pressure by measuring the velocity of tricuspid regurgitation, assesses right heart size and function, and monitors response to treatment with sildenafil and other pulmonary vasodilators.
Learn more about pulmonary hypertension →Breeds Commonly Affected
Certain breeds have well-documented predispositions to specific cardiac conditions. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are highly predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease. Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Great Danes have elevated risk for dilated cardiomyopathy. Maine Coon, Ragdoll, and British Shorthair cats are predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers have higher rates of pericardial hemangiosarcoma. Standard Poodles and German Shepherds are at risk for subaortic stenosis.
How Cardiac Ultrasound Helps
Echocardiography is the only imaging modality that provides real-time assessment of cardiac structure, function, and blood flow simultaneously. 2D imaging shows chamber anatomy, M-mode provides precise measurements of wall thickness and chamber dimensions, and Doppler evaluates blood flow velocity and direction across all valves. Together, these modalities provide a complete functional assessment of the heart.
Our board-certified radiologists perform comprehensive echocardiographic evaluations and provide detailed reports including all standard measurements, Doppler assessments, and clinical recommendations for your veterinarian.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Cardiac ultrasound typically takes 30–45 minutes. Most pets tolerate the exam well in a comfortable lateral position with gentle restraint. No anesthesia, sedation, or fasting is typically required, making echocardiography one of the most patient-friendly advanced imaging studies available.
Results are interpreted the same day. For emergency presentations like pericardial effusion with tamponade, findings are communicated immediately to facilitate life-saving intervention.
Learn more about veterinary ultrasound at Sage →Why Choose Sage Veterinary Imaging
Get Answers for Your Pet
If your pet has a heart murmur, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulty, coughing, or collapse episodes, cardiac ultrasound can identify the type and severity of heart disease and guide your veterinarian’s treatment plan.
Schedule a Cardiac Ultrasound
Visit one of our three locations to learn more and schedule your pet’s echocardiographic evaluation.
Cardiac Ultrasound FAQ
Related Resources
Ready to Get Answers?
Cardiac ultrasound can identify the type and severity of your pet’s heart disease and guide the most effective treatment. Visit one of our locations to get started.