SLDP Club OFA Heart Clinic

Heart auscultation for dogs involves a veterinarian listening to a dog's heart using a stethoscope, a practice that's as careful and attentive as tuning into a faint radio station to catch every note of a favorite song. This simple, non-invasive procedure allows the vet to assess the heart's rhythm and rate, and to detect any unusual sounds like murmurs or irregular beats that could indicate heart problems. It's a fundamental part of a dog's physical examination, offering vital clues about the heart's health and functioning without any discomfort to our four-legged friends. If the auscultation is abnormal, we may be able to fit your do in for an OFA echo that day or on another day depending on our wait list.

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that continuously records your heart's activity, typically over 24 to 48 hours. It's like carrying around a tiny, personal heart recording studio that tracks every beat and rhythm of your heart as you go about your daily activities, including sleeping. This device is especially useful for detecting irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias that might not show up during a brief doctor's visit. By wearing a Holter monitor, doctors can get a detailed, extended snapshot of your heart function, helping them diagnose issues that might only occur sporadically or under certain conditions. Please have these holter’s completed before coming to the heart clinic for Dr. Eason to evaluate.

An echocardiogram, often called an "echo," is essentially an ultrasound for the heart. Just like an ultrasound can show a baby growing in a womb, an echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart. This test allows doctors to see how the heart is beating and pumping blood, helping them identify any abnormalities in the heart's structure or function. In summary, an echocardiogram is a powerful, safe, and painless way to take a detailed look at the heart's structure and function, helping doctors diagnose and monitor heart conditions.