Hearing your veterinarian say, “Your pet has a heart murmur,” can be worrying.
One of the first questions owners ask us is, “How serious is it?”
The truth is that a heart murmur is not a diagnosis. It is simply an abnormal sound that tells us blood is flowing differently through the heart. Some murmurs are completely harmless, while others indicate significant heart disease.
So how do we tell the difference?
The answer is often an echocardiogram.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, echocardiography plays an important role in diagnosing and managing heart disease in dogs and cats. It allows us to see the heart in real time, helping us understand exactly what is happening and ensuring every patient receives the most appropriate treatment.
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of the heart.
Using sound waves, we can watch the heart beating in real time, allowing us to assess its structure, function and blood flow.
Unlike X-rays, which show the size and shape of the heart, an echocardiogram lets us see:
- The heart valves opening and closing
- Blood flowing through the chambers
- The thickness of the heart muscle
- How strongly the heart is pumping
- The size of each chamber
- Whether there is leakage through the valves
- Congenital heart defects
- Fluid around the heart
It is considered the gold standard for diagnosing many types of heart disease.
Which Pets Need an Echocardiogram?
Not every murmur requires an immediate heart scan, but many do.
Your veterinarian may recommend an echocardiogram if your pet has:
- A newly detected heart murmur
- A cough that may be heart-related
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse or fainting episodes
- Exercise intolerance
- An enlarged heart on X-rays
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Suspected congenital heart disease
Some breeds are also predisposed to heart disease and benefit from early investigation if abnormalities are detected.
Common Heart Diseases We Diagnose
One of the biggest advantages of echocardiography is that it tells us which type of heart disease your pet has.
This is important because different diseases require different treatments.
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease affecting small and older dogs.
Over time, one of the heart valves becomes thickened and begins to leak. This causes blood to flow backwards into the left atrium, making the heart work harder.
An echocardiogram allows us to determine:
- How severe the leakage is
- Whether the heart is enlarging
- Whether medication is needed
- How the disease is progressing over time
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy is more commonly seen in larger breeds such as Dobermanns, Great Danes and Boxers.
Instead of leaking valves, the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged, making it difficult to pump blood effectively.
An echocardiogram helps us evaluate:
- Heart muscle strength
- Chamber size
- Pumping efficiency
- Overall heart function
Heart Disease in Cats
Cats can also develop serious heart disease, often without obvious symptoms.
One of the most common conditions is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened.
Many cats appear completely normal until the disease is advanced.
An echocardiogram is often the only way to diagnose this condition accurately.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Not at all.
Most echocardiograms are performed with the pet awake or lightly sedated and gently lying on a padded examination table.
A small area of fur may be clipped to improve image quality, and ultrasound gel is applied to the skin.
The examination is painless and usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Heart disease often develops slowly.
By the time obvious symptoms such as coughing or breathing difficulties appear, significant changes may already have occurred within the heart.
Early diagnosis allows us to:
- Monitor disease progression
- Start medication at the appropriate time
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce the risk of complications
- Help owners understand what to expect
Modern cardiac medications have dramatically improved the outlook for many pets with heart disease, allowing them to enjoy many more happy, comfortable years.
Working Together for the Best Care
At Cottage Vet Clinic, we believe that diagnosing heart disease is only the first step.
Our team works closely with pet owners to monitor changes over time, adjust treatment as needed and provide ongoing support throughout each patient’s journey.
Because heart disease is different for every pet, having an accurate diagnosis is essential before deciding on the best management plan.
An echocardiogram provides the detailed information needed to make those decisions with confidence.
A Heart Murmur Doesn’t Have to Be the End of the Story
Many pets with heart disease continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life for years with appropriate monitoring and treatment.
If your dog or cat has recently been diagnosed with a heart murmur, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either.
An echocardiogram can provide the answers needed to understand your pet’s heart and plan the best possible care.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Has your pet been diagnosed with a heart murmur, or are you concerned about coughing, exercise intolerance or breathing changes? Contact Cottage Vet Clinic to discuss whether an echocardiogram may be recommended.
