🩺 Do I do heart ultrasounds on my cats?

I get this question from time to time — usually from thoughtful, well-meaning people who want to make sure everything possible is being done for a cat’s health.

The short answer is: No, I don’t.

But not because I don’t care — quite the opposite.

Let’s talk about why I choose not to, and what you really need to know about how ultrasounds work — beyond what’s written in vet brochures

🔍 Heart ultrasounds are generally considered safe — but only when used occasionally and for a clear medical reason.

People often assume they’re completely harmless, but it’s important to know that ultrasound is still a form of energy — not sound, not light, but mechanical high-frequency pressure that creates microvibrations in the tissues.

This process can cause:

Localized tissue heating (especially if the probe stays too long in one spot)

Cellular stress, particularly in mitochondria

Potential disruption of sensitive structures like neurons, hormones, and embryonic cells

In some medical studies, extended exposure to ultrasound was associated with:

DNA changes

Ion channel disruptions

Immune response alterations

In cats, this risk is small — but it is not zero.

And it increases when:

Ultrasounds are done frequently "just in case"

Scanning is prolonged on the same area

Equipment is outdated or poorly calibrated

The subject is a pregnant cat or a kitten, whose developing tissues are highly sensitive

At Joie De Vivre, we believe in doing only what is necessary and beneficial for the animal — not what looks good on paper. All of our breeding cats are genetically tested through the Wisdom Panel, which screens for 49 genetic diseases, including Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) — the main concern behind heart ultrasounds.

This testing is reliable and non-invasive — and far more meaningful than a one-time ultrasound.

And just as a fun fact:

👑 In the British Royal Family, they don’t perform prenatal ultrasounds either.

Have you ever seen Kate Middleton announce the baby’s gender before birth?

No — they wait until the baby is born. And they’re doing just fine. 😉

So, no — we don't use heart ultrasounds unless there is a specific medical need.

We prefer gentle, effective, and meaningful health practices — not unnecessary exposure.