At the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Cardiology Department, we offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic services to accurately identify and manage cardiovascular diseases in pets.
Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and expert team ensure that we provide the highest standard of care to our patients.
Contents
Echocardiogram (Cardiac Ultrasound)
An echocardiogram is used to diagnose a heart disease. It is commonly known as a cardiac ultrasound and is the same as used in human medicine. It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that captures detailed images of your pet’s heart and allows us to assess the structure and function of the heart, the blood flow within the heart, pressures in the chambers, potential defects, leakages, or shunts. It is essential for diagnosing heart disease.
- Accurate diagnosis of heart diseases
- Non-invasive and painless
- Real-time assessment of heart structure and function
Electrocardiography (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to detect abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmia). It is a diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of your pet’s heart. This test is crucial for detecting and diagnosing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). The ECG provides valuable information about the heart’s electrical impulses, overall function, and the potential presence and severity of cardiac diseases.
- Detects irregular heartbeats
- Assesses heart rate and rhythm
- Non-invasive and quick
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor is used to detect abnormal heartbeats that occur only intermittently. It is a portable device that continuously records your pet’s ECG for 24 hours or more. It is used to detect abnormal heartbeats that occur only intermittently. This test is particularly useful for diagnosing intermittent arrhythmias that may not be detected during a standard ECG, for example, if your pet has occasional weakness or collapsing events. It provides a comprehensive view of your pet’s heart activity over an extended period, helping us identify and manage your pet’s heart disease more effectively.
- Continuous heart rhythm monitoring
- Detects intermittent arrhythmias
- Provides detailed heart activity data
X-Ray
(Thoracic Radiography)
X-rays, or thoracic radiographs, are used to obtain an image from your pet’s heart and lungs. It provides detailed images of your pet’s chest, including the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. This diagnostic tool is used to detect heart enlargement, fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or around the lungs, and other conditions that might be present in the chest, X-rays help us visualize the internal structures of your pet’s chest and support our treatment decisions.
- Visualizes heart and lung structure
- Detects heart enlargement and fluid buildup
- Non-invasive and quick
Blood Test for Cardiac Parameters
Blood tests may add information when evaluating your pet’s cardiac health. These are used to assess your pet’s overall health and, if cardiac biomarkers are measured, may add information to other examinations carried out. Blood tests can help diagnose conditions such as myocarditis, and assess the severity of heart diseases or arrhythmias. Routine blood testing will likely be carried out to investigate if other organs, in particular kidneys, are affected by the cardiac disease. Regular blood testing might be carried out to monitor your pets health and potentially adjusting treatment plans.
- Adds information to other diagnostic tests obtained
- Monitors overall pet health
Minimally invasive procedures
As one of only centers in Ontario, our service offers minimally invasive procedures to treat otherwise fatal heart diseases. These include pacemaker implantation, when the heart rate of a pet is dangerously slow that the pet cannot do basic exercise or might die, and two procedures (patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure and balloon valvuloplasty) that treat fatal heart diseases of puppies.
Additional Cardiac Services
- Emergency Cardiac Care: Immediate and expert care for pets experiencing cardiac emergencies.
- Ongoing Cardiac Care: Regular check-ups and monitoring to manage chronic heart conditions and ensure long-term heart health. These will be carried out in collaboration with you primary veterinarian.
Specialized Equipment:
- GE Vivid E90 echocardiographic system
- Transesophageal echocardiography
- GE ECG system
- Multiple Holter units for recording ambulatory 24-hour ECG, and in-house Holter analysis system
- Fluoroscopy
