Heartbeat Arrhythmia
A cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) is any abnormality in pace, intensity, or regularity of a pet’s heartbeat. Though not every arrhythmia is cause for concern, others can be an indication of a serious, life-threatening disease. Cardiac arrhythmias can be caused by genetic abnormalities, environmental factors, or breed predisposition. They can occur in all canine and feline breeds, ages, and genders.
A pet’s heartbeat should be regular and strong. If beating slightly alters while breathing in and out, this can be caused by an unfamiliar environment or momentary stress; however, abnormalities, including a speedy or sluggish pulse, can indicate anemia, lung disease, pressure on the brain, or a failure of circulation. The only way to determine the underlying issue is to have a veterinarian develop a proper diagnosis. Until the origin is determined, an arrhythmia should not be taken lightly. The symptoms of an arrhythmia may come and go; regardless of whether your pet is currently showing indications of an irregular heartbeat, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian to ensure there are not any serious underlying cardiac issues.
Possible Indications of a Heart Arrhythmia:
- Abdominal pain.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Fast heart rate when pet is relaxed.
- Lack of appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Slow heart rate when activity level is high.
- Sudden, unexplainable collapse.
- Weakness.
Diagnosing Heart Arrhythmia
In diagnosing an arrhythmia, a full physical will be performed with a complete blood analysis. A veterinarian will determine if an ECG (EKG) is necessary. Blood work can establish whether a pet has anemia and can also detect whether the organs are working properly. An ECG (EKG) can detect the arrhythmia and determine the type of arrhythmia. Chest x-rays might be necessary to determine if heart disease or heart failure has occurred.
How is heart arrhythmia treated?
After the veterinarian has obtained a positive diagnosis, they will discuss the various treatment options. Surgery and prescription medications are both available to your pet as possible therapies.
Prescription medication - Several medications are available to help control arrhythmias, and the veterinarian will discuss which prescription is best for your pet’s age, gender, and breed.
Surgery – There are two surgical options, both of which must be performed by a veterinary cardiology specialist.
Catheter ablation - Destroys the defective electrical pathways within and around the heart that cause the arrhythmia. It involves inserting a catheter into the faulty blood vessel and using electrical impulses to destroy tissue.
Implanting a pacemaker - similar to a human implant, pet pacemakers control cardiac arrhythmias.
If you have any questions about an irregular heartbeat, feel free to contact our office.
