My Dog’s Heart Health Journey: Echocardiogram, Electrocardiogram & Holter Monitor Experience

My Dog’s Heart Health Journey: Echocardiogram, Electrocardiogram & Holter Monitor Experience

As a Dogue de Bordeaux owner, I know all too well how prone this breed can be to heart issues. Nothing truly prepares you for the moment you’re sitting in the vet’s office, discussing the need for heart tests on your beloved companion—but when you’ve already lost two dogs to rare heart conditions, you learn to stay vigilant.

The shock of losing a seemingly healthy two-year-old male to Occult Accessory Pathway Ventricular Reciprocating Tachycardia (OAVRT) was devastating. Just seven months later, we were hit with another heartbreak—losing our wonderful six-year-old female to an undiagnosed arrhythmia. At the time, I never thought we’d recover from the trauma of losing these incredible dogs.

Recently my dog Pumpkin a 2 year old male Dogue de Bordeaux underwent an echocardiogram (ECHO), electrocardiogram (ECG), and a 24-hour Holter monitor fitting to assess his heart health. I want to share our journey in the hope that it helps other pet owners who may be facing the same situation. I was fortunate to be referred to Animal Cardio Care a mobile practice based in Cardiff which is run by Sandra Regada, an experienced cardiologist. The mobile aspect alone eased so much stress, as we were in familiar surroundings and only a short car journey away.

Although Pumpkin isn’t a fan of vet visits, being in familiar surroundings and recognizing the sights and smells of the practice—along with the help of sedation—made the experience much less stressful. Having a consultant come to you truly minimizes anxiety and makes a world of difference.

I felt incredibly lucky that the cardiologist treating Pumopkin was not only highly experienced but also someone I had complete confidence in. Knowing that she had years of expertise in diagnosing and managing heart conditions in dogs reassured me that we were in the best possible hands. Her calm and professional approach, combined with her clear explanations, made an overwhelming situation feel much more manageable. It’s never easy watching your beloved pet undergo medical tests, but having a vet you trust makes all the difference.

Why My Dog Needed Heart Tests

It all started when I noticed subtle changes in my dog’s behaviour. He still seemed like his usual self, but during exercise, I felt that his tongue occasionally took on a purplish tinge, and he sometimes panted excessively—something that can seem typical for a Dogue de Bordeaux, but still left me uneasy. There was no dramatic collapse or fainting episode, but as a responsible owner, I knew something wasn’t quite right and was not leaving anything to chance. After a chat with my Primary Vet it was decided we should refer Pumpkin to a Cardiologist.

The Appointment

On the day of the test, my dog was sedated with Gabapentin and Trazedone. The procedure is non-invasive and painless and the vet clipped the areas that needed clipping first to allow my dog to calm down.

During the check-up, the cardiologist detected a very slight murmur and suggested further testing to determine if there was an underlying heart condition. Given that Dogue de Bordeauxs are predisposed to heart disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and arrhythmias, I didn’t want to take any chances.

So, we scheduled an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and a Holter monitor test to get a full picture of his heart’s function.

The Echocardiogram (ECHO) – An Ultrasound of the Heart

What is an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (ECHO) is an ultrasound of the heart, allowing the vet to see the heart’s structure, size, and function in real-time. This test helps identify conditions such as:
✔ Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – a common issue in large breeds
✔ Valve disease – where the heart valves don’t close properly
✔ Congenital defects – structural issues the dog may have been born with

Our Experience with the Echocardiogram

The cardiologist applied gel to his chest and used a handheld ultrasound probe to examine his heart. The whole process took about 20–30 minutes, during which I could see the screen showing his heart pumping in real time. There was no need to make him lay down for the procedure as he was scanned standing up.

The cardiologist carefully examined the heart’s chambers, valves, and blood flow, listening for any abnormalities. While I waited nervously, I felt reassured knowing that this test would give us the answers we needed. The cardiologist was calm throughout the process making sure my dog was not put under any stress.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – Checking the Heart’s Rhythm

What is an ECG?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical activity of the heart, checking for irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). This is crucial for diagnosing conditions like:

✔ Atrial fibrillation – irregular, rapid heartbeats
✔ Ventricular arrhythmias – potentially dangerous abnormal rhythms
✔ Heart block – where electrical signals are delayed or blocked

Our ECG Experience

For this test, my dog had small electrodes attached to his chest and legs. These were connected to a machine that recorded his heart’s electrical signals over a few minutes.

He was examined standing up, this minimises the stress of trying to manoeuvre such a big dog to lay down, the sedation helped and the cardiologist was incredibly patient, giving him lots of reassurance, he decided to lay down while the electrodes were being attached and relaxed completely. The ECG showed whether his heart was beating normally or if there were any signs of arrhythmia.

The results provided an important snapshot, but because arrhythmias can be intermittent, the vet recommended a 24- Hour Holter monitor for a more detailed reading.

Holter Monitor – A 24-Hour Heart Monitor for Dogs

What is a Holter Monitor?

A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device that records the heart’s activity over 24 hours or longer. It’s used to detect:
✔ Intermittent arrhythmias that might not appear during a short ECG
✔ Heart rate variability over a normal day’s activities
✔ Any abnormal beats that could indicate heart disease

Fitting the Holter Monitor

The Holter monitor is attached to the dog’s chest with small electrode pads and secured with a vest. The device is lightweight, but some dogs might find it uncomfortable at first.

My dog looked a little confused about the vest and wires, but after some encouragement, he adjusted to it. The hardest part? Making sure that the wires stayed in place (He is a wriggler).

For the next 24 hours, I had to monitor his daily activities as normal while keeping a diary of any behaviours (sleeping, running, excitedness, feeding, playing etc). The idea was to capture real-life heart activity during rest, walks, and even sleep.

Waiting for the Results & What’s Next

At the end of the appointment the vet explained the preliminary findings to me and I was given an information sheet on the type of murmur he has. She explained the timeline of the results and what to do next.

I received the first part of his report (ECHO, ECG & physical examination) by the next day. The report was thorough explaining the initial murmur that was heard was diagnosed as an Aortic stenosis which is a narrowing of the aortic valve, the valve through which blood leaves the heart, travelling to the rest of the body. He does not require any significant changes to his life except to make sure he receives a course of antibiotics if he gets any infections and an annual heart scan to monitor for any progression/changes to his heart health.

Once the Holter monitor was removed the following day, the recorded data was sent for analysis. Waiting for results was tough, but I was relieved that we had done everything possible to get a clear picture of his heart health.

When the Holter monitor results came back which was within a week, I was incredibly relieved to hear that no irregularities had been detected. The cardiologist was kind enough to give me a call as soon as the analysis was complete, and hearing her calm voice explain that everything looked normal was such a weight off my shoulders. After all the worry and waiting, it was the best possible news. She took the time to go over everything in detail, answering all my questions and reassuring me that no intervention was needed. I genuinely appreciated how thoughtful and prompt she was—it made a nerve-wracking experience feel so much more manageable. Knowing that my Pumpkin's heart was ticking along just fine brought a huge sense of comfort and renewed confidence moving forward.

It’s also wise to remember that, although we’ve had the all-clear for arrhythmias for now, things can change over time. Regular check-ups and staying in tune with any subtle changes in behaviour will remain an important part of our journey.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog is based on personal experience and general knowledge. It is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian for guidance specific to your dog's health and medical needs.

Final Thoughts

I’m incredibly relieved that Pumpkin's results showed only mild irregularities. While this means ongoing monitoring is recommended, it also reassures me that we have identified any potential issues. Proactive care is so important with breeds like the Dogue de Bordeaux, and I encourage all owners to trust their instincts—if something seems off, it’s always worth investigating. Having lost two dogs to sudden heart conditions, I know firsthand how crucial early detection can be.

For now, we’ll continue with yearly heart scans, careful monitoring, and plenty of love and care. If you’re facing a similar journey with your dog, know that you’re not alone, and there are amazing vets out there who can help guide you through it.

A Note of Thanks and Recommendation

If you're in the our region of the UK and ever find yourself needing the support of a veterinary cardiologist, I honestly can’t recommend Sandra Regada of Animal Cardio Care enough. Her calm, professional manner and clear communication made a stressful experience so much more manageable. She treated Pumpkin with such patience and care, and I truly felt he was in the best hands. It’s rare to come across someone so skilled yet so down-to-earth—and having the option of a mobile service made a world of difference. If you're facing heart-related concerns with your dog, reaching out to someone like her could give you the clarity and peace of mind you need. You can find Animal Cardio Care here

💙🐶 I’m truly grateful to Sandra, the wonderful vet who examined Pumpkin and made us feel completely at ease. Thank you!