Keep an Eye on Your Pet’s Heart Health With AliveCor at Home Monitoring

During your appointment, we may have discussed the use of AliveCor at-home monitoring to keep a closer eye on your pet’s heart health, particularly if they’re experiencing arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or other concerning symptoms.

For this blog post, the team at Coast to Coast Cardiology wants to break down how this practical DIY assessment is supposed to work. Read on for strategies and facts to help you ensure your pet’s heart health from the comfort of your home.

What is AliveCor?

AliveCor is a mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) device and app system that allows you to record your pet’s heart rhythm conveniently from home using your smartphone or tablet. This can be a valuable tool in helping us diagnose and monitor heart conditions in pets.

How Does AliveCor Work?

There are three main components to using AliveCor at home:

1.) A Compatible Device:

  • You’ll need a working smartphone or tablet (most iOS and Android devices are compatible)

2.) The Mobile ECG device:

  • These devices are readily available for purchase online through retailers like Amazon, or directly from AliveCor if you prefer.
  • You don’t need to purchase the phone case that may be included in some bundles.

3.) The AliveCor App:

  • Download the AliveCor app (human version) onto your smartphone or tablet.
  • These apps allow you to capture, store, and transmit ECG recordings to our team for review.
  • There’s no subscription needed to use these apps for veterinary purposes.

Recording an ECG with Your Pet

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use AliveCor with your pet:

  1. Download the App: Start by downloading and setting up the AliveCor app on your device.
  2. Position Your Pet: Ideally, have your pet lie down on their right side. If that’s not comfortable, a standing position can also work.
  3. Prep the Recording Area: Locate your pet’s left armpit (where the heartbeat is most prominent). Clean this area with a little rubbing alcohol.
  4. Apply the Electrodes: Firmly and evenly press the electrodes on the AliveCor device onto the prepped area. Try to keep your pet as still as possible while recording. You should see the ECG tracing appear on the app screen.
  5. Alternative Placement: You can also record from your pet’s front paws. Have them lie on their right side and place their paws on the corresponding electrode plates (right paw on right plate, left paw on left plate).
  6. Saving and Sharing: Once the recording is complete, you can save the file as a PDF and email it directly to our cardiology team at info@cccvetservice.com.

This is just one of the tools we can help you acquire and learn more about. We’ve got plenty of other methods to make things easy for you, too. Check out our online patient forms for quick pre-appointment setup and get ready for your appointment today!

If you have any concerns about the cardiovascular health of your pet, the best thing you can do is come see us! At Coast to Coast Cardiology, we provide exceptional service for all kinds of cardiac and comorbid conditions. We have ten different locations, but we deliver on one goal no matter where we’re working: we treat the patient, not the signs, delivering comprehensive, cost-effective, and compassionate care. To make an appointment, contact us online or call 844-582-3827 today.