Echocardiography as an approach for canine cardiac disease diagnosis

Aim: The aim of the study was to establish the methods for diagnosis various canine cardiac ailments using echocardiography. Materials and Methods: M-mode, two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler studies were performed on 10 cases. Dogs showing signs of cardiac ailment either clinically, radiographic or via electrocardiographic examination were selected for study. Right parasternal short axis view was used for echocardiographic measurements. Right parasternal long axis and left parasternal apical views were used for Doppler studies. Doppler studies were performed at the level of aortic valve and atrioventricular valves for semi quantitative diagnosis of regurgitation. Results: Dogs were found affected with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (n=5), pericardial effusion (PE) (n=1), combined PE and DCM (n=2) and remaining two showed abnormality on radiographic or electrographically evaluation but were found out to be normal echocardiographically (n=2). Conclusion: Echocardiography is an effective tool for diagnosis of various heart ailments.