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Cardiology
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Cardiac Ultrasound / Echocardiography
For accurate assessment of various congenital or acquired heart diseases of dogs, cats and small mammals, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound examination of the heart. During echocardiography, the thickness and contractility of the heart muscle, as well as the internal structures of the heart, such as the heart valves, can be examined for changes. In addition to black and white echocardiography, the examination is performed with a color Doppler. This assesses the blood flow through the heart chambers and vessels, as well as the closure of the heart valves.
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Digital X-ray
For many animals with heart conditions, an X-ray examination is crucial in addition to a cardiac ultrasound. During a chest X-ray, the external contour of the heart is assessed for enlargement, and blood vessels are checked for signs of congestion. Lung tissue is examined for changes or fluid accumulation. Our clinic is equipped with modern digital X-ray technology, which also enables examinations of other body regions.
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ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important component of a cardiac examination. The contraction of heart muscle cells occurs through electrical impulses generated by the body's own pacemaker, which spread across the heart muscle. During an ECG, these electrical impulse waves are measured with special electrodes on the body's surface and displayed as curves. Changes in the typical curves can allow for more precise diagnosis of various heart conditions.
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Blood Pressure Measurement
Especially for cats from the age of 7, we recommend regular blood pressure measurement. Excessively high values are often found in connection with diseases of the kidney, heart, diabetes and thyroid gland, as well as with obesity. Blood pressure outside the normal range can contribute to permanent damage to various organs. The earlier a disease is detected, the better the treatment options. If left untreated, underlying diseases will progress more rapidly. Permanent damage to the back of the eye, blood vessels and other organs can result.
Digital X-ray
X-ray diagnostics remains a highly valued rapid imaging technique. With new digital X-ray equipment technology, radiation exposure for both examiners and patients can be significantly reduced.
The varying radiodensity of bones, muscles, organs, fat, and air creates a grayscale image, enabling the assessment of body structures. X-rays are most crucial for evaluating bones and thoracic organs, particularly during cardiac examinations.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound examination, or sonography, is an imaging procedure that uses very high-frequency sound waves (above the audible range) to examine internal organs. During the examination, animals must remain as still as possible; however, sedation is only required in rare individual cases.
As ultrasound waves cannot penetrate air, it is necessary to thoroughly shave the animal at the examination site and apply a special ultrasound gel to the skin. This enhances the coupling between the transducer and the body surface. This examination method is completely painless and can be performed on all animal species. It involves no radiation exposure and can also be used for pregnant animals. In most cases, sonography serves as a supplementary diagnostic method, complementing other procedures like X-rays and blood tests, rather than replacing them.
Laboratory
Our in-house laboratory conducts a variety of examinations, including blood chemistry analyses, urinalyses, rapid tests for various diseases, fecal examinations for gastrointestinal parasites, and examinations of skin samples and dermatophyte tests.
