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An echocardiogram is a diagnostic tool that utilizes ultrasound waves to create images of the heart. This non-invasive test allows veterinarians to assess the size, shape, and movement of the heart and its structures in real time. By observing how the heart chambers and valves function, practitioners can identify various heart conditions, such as congenital defects, cardiomyopathy, and valve disease.

Echocardiography provides valuable information regarding blood flow and can detect any abnormal rhythms or functions, making it an essential tool in evaluating heart health in animals. Other diagnostic tools listed, such as X-rays, urinalysis, and fecal exams, serve different medical purposes, primarily related to other parts of the body or different conditions. While X-rays can help visualize the size of the heart affecting its function, they do not provide the detailed dynamic information that an echocardiogram does. In summary, the echocardiogram is pivotal in cardiac evaluation due to its specificity and real-time assessment capabilities.