Innovation in Pet Health: Home Cardiac Check-Ups for Early Detection

Revolutionizing Pet Health with Home Cardiac Check-Ups

In recent years, pets have increasingly been regarded as integral members of the family, leading to a rising trend of pet ownership, particularly among dogs and cats. Consequently, owners are becoming more attentive to their pets’ health, with a recent survey revealing that over half of pet owners recognize the importance of regular health check-ups. This growing awareness is vital, as conditions like valvular heart disease in dogs and cardiomyopathy in cats pose significant health risks.

Kokoromil, a Tokyo-based company founded by CEO Hiroki Hayashi, is on a mission to create a society where pet owners won’t have regrets about their pets’ health. Their flagship service, known as the "Home Cardiac Check-Up®," enables long-duration ECG tests to be conducted in the comfort of one's home, facilitating the early detection of heart diseases in pets.

Recently, Kokoromil's innovative pet ECG testing service received financial backing from the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center under its initiative to promote businesses adapting to new environments. This support will allow Kokoromil to accelerate the development of their pet ECG service, which is set to commence soon.

The Importance of Early Detection

For pet owners, it can be quite challenging to comprehend their furry companions' health status, given that pets cannot verbally express when they are in pain or discomfort. This reality often leads to missed opportunities for early intervention, particularly regarding hidden risks like arrhythmias or other heart conditions. Hence, there's an urgent need for technologies that enable early detection of such conditions.

Kokoromil previously introduced their fully disposable Holter ECG monitor "eclat" in 2024, designed for use in medical institutions, allowing monitoring for up to seven days. The company has also been committed to innovating ECG analysis software and providing accurate, compact ECG devices for residential use. The Home Cardiac Check-Up® leverages this expertise, equipping pet parents to regularly monitor their pets’ heart health easily.

With the Home Cardiac Check-Up®, a palm-sized ECG device can be strapped onto the pet’s chest for more than nine hours of continuous monitoring. The data collected undergoes analysis by clinical laboratory technicians, culminating in a comprehensive report. The ability to capture extended ECG data is instrumental in uncovering latent heart disease risks that conventional health assessments typically miss, which often only involve brief testing, like a 15-second check during routine visits.

Beyond cardiac diagnostics, the service also offers insights into sleep quality and stress levels, providing a holistic view of a pet’s health. The potential for early intervention regarding latent health risks is substantial, promising a considerable enhancement to pets' quality of life (QOL).

A Look at Pricing

The Home Cardiac Check-Up® is offered at a reasonable price point of 12,100 JPY (including tax), while the enhanced version, Home Cardiac Check-Up® PRO, is available at 19,800 JPY (including tax).

Understanding "eclat" and Its Impact

The "eclat" monitor is specifically designed for prolonged arrhythmia evaluation over seven days, addressing concerns raised by medical professionals regarding the inadequacy of 24-hour testing for sporadic arrhythmias. This innovation not only reduces management costs for healthcare providers but also minimizes the risk of lost equipment and decreases the frequency of patient visits, ultimately allowing for quicker testing outcomes.

Starting November 1, 2024, this service will also be covered under insurance in Japan, marking a significant step forward in accessible veterinary care solutions.

Commitment to Empower Pet Owners

Kokoromil remains dedicated to empowering pet owners with the tools necessary to visualize and understand the health of their companions. Their innovative approach promises to foster a culture where the well-being of pets can be assessed comprehensively, supporting the goal of extending health spans and improving the lives of pets and their families alike. For more information on Kokoromil and their services, visit their official website at Kokoromil.