Diagnostic imaging of cardiovascular disease in small animals

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has always been an important field of application for diagnostic imaging in small animal practices and, vice-versa, diagnostic imaging has greatly expanded the diagnostic capabilities of veterinary clinicians dealing with CVD. In addition to physical examination and electrocardiography, cardiac imaging offers unique opportunities to understand and investigate cardiovascular function and dysfunction. Among the different imaging modalities, each with specific advantages and disadvantages, some focus primarily on cardiac structure and anatomy and others are mainly concerned with cardiac physiology and function.