An ECG can provide us with a variety of information about your dog’s or cat's heart function.
- Is the heart rate normal? An ECG allows us to make a determination of your pet’s heart rate. It can show whether their heart rate is beating at a normal pace, or if it is beating too rapidly or slower than normal for their breed. This can suggest medical issues that may warrant further investigation.
- Is the heart rhythm normal? An ECG gives us a very accurate way to assess your pet’s heart rhythm. If there is an abnormality, the results of the ECG will allow us to diagnose the arrhythmia & potentially diagnose the underlying causes of that.
- Does the pet's heart size appear to be normal? Enlarged heart tissue produces electricity differently than normal-sized heart tissue. With that said, an ECG can potentially suggest abnormalities in the size of a specific heart chamber. This method is not considered completely accurate but can suggest to us to do further investigations.