Arrhythmia - a violation of the rhythm of the heartbeat in dogs

Arrhythmias - violations of the rhythm and sequence of contractions of the heart.

The basis of the normal functioning of the heart is the coordinated conduction of electrical impulses through the myocardium (heart muscle). Thanks to the work of the conducting system, the correct sequence of contractions is maintained.

Rhythm disturbances - arrhythmias, are most often secondary, that is, they occur as a complication of the underlying disease.

Causes of arrhythmias

Arrhythmias often develop with diseases of the heart itself, but no less rarely with various other pathologies: diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, all diseases accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, with blood loss and anemia, with oncological processes in the chest.

Rhythm disturbances can appear in response to stress and pain.

Hunger and prolonged lack of water, heat stroke and hypothermia and other critical conditions can also lead to disruption of the electrical activity of the heart muscle. Various injuries, acute surgical pathologies (for example, gastric torsion, diaphragmatic hernia, injuries and injuries of the chest) are very often accompanied by arrhythmias.

This list is almost endless.

It is important to remember that arrhythmias significantly aggravate the course of the underlying disease, as they can lead to a decrease in cardiac output, as a result of which the process of blood circulation in the body is disturbed, tissues and organs receive less oxygen, and metabolic products accumulate in cells, causing intoxication (poisoning) of the body.

In addition, heart rhythm disturbances can cause sudden death of the animal.

How to suspect an arrhythmia in your animal?

Arrhythmias can be completely asymptomatic.

Often, arrhythmias become incidental findings during examination of the animal by a therapist or during a cardiac examination.

Clinical signs that may indicate the presence of an arrhythmia in a pet are non-specific, and therefore owners often do not realize that their pet has a heart rhythm disorder. Fainting, weakness and decreased tolerance of physical activity habitual for the animal, intermittent shortness of breath should be the reason for an urgent visit to the doctor and the necessary diagnostic tests.

What will the doctor do?

The doctor will examine your animal, take an ECG (electrocardiogram). It is often possible to suspect an arrhythmia already at this stage.

Often, rhythm disturbances are heard during auscultation (listening) of the heart, and require further diagnosis.

ECG (electrocardiography) is the main way to determine the type of arrhythmia, its danger and allows you to choose therapy.

Having found abnormalities on the ECG, the doctor needs to find out the cause of the arrhythmia. To do this, the doctor will need to take blood tests (clinical and biochemical) - they will be able to show the presence of systemic diseases in the patient, the presence of metabolic disorders, which can also cause the development of arrhythmia.

To identify the stage of the disease and associated pathologies, x-rays may be required. In order to correctly assess changes in the configuration of the heart and large (main) vessels, as well as the size of its chambers, it is customary to perform two chest shots in two projections - direct and lateral.

For a more detailed diagnosis of a disease of the cardiovascular system, your animal will need to undergo a cardiological examination by a specialist cardiologist. In addition to the results of blood tests and ECG, the cardiologist may do an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography).

Echocardiography is an expert method that allows you to detect changes in the heart muscle itself and a decrease in the functional ability of the heart, to indicate heart failure.

Holter monitoring

The arrhythmia is not always constant. If there is enough data for the presence of arrhythmia in an animal, but it is not detected during a conventional ECG examination, Holter monitoring is performed: a small device is attached to the dog’s body using a special belt, which records a cardiogram for several hours, while the dog does not have to is in the clinic. Then the data from the device is transferred to a computer, where the doctor can analyze it.

Breed predisposition

In dog breeds such as Dobermans and Boxers, there is a disease in which arrhythmias are the main symptom of the disease and threaten the life of the dog. Asymptomatic DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) occurs in these breeds. All dogs of these breeds should be recommended to undergo an annual preventive cardio examination.

Treatment

It is necessary to identify the primary problem that led to the development of arrhythmia, and try to eliminate it. If this does not eliminate the arrhythmia, then special drugs are prescribed - antiarrhythmics. The effectiveness of treatment is checked by repeated ECG.

Usually, the conduction system of the heart responds well to drug therapy, and when the underlying cause is eliminated, the water and electrolyte balance is restored, and under the influence of antiarrhythmic drugs, in most cases it is possible to stop an arrhythmia attack and control the development of new attacks. But in some cases, cardiologists have to deal with persistent, severe cardiac arrhythmias that threaten the life of the animal. In this case, the doctor will try to find an effective antiarrhythmic drug for life use or will recommend installing a pacemaker (artificial pacemaker) for your pet.

Irregular heart rhythm

Ectopic, also characterized as replacement, rhythms are heart contractions due to automatism manifested in other parts of the myocardium or conduction system. They occur if the activity of the sinus node is stopped or weakened, which can occur both permanently and temporarily. The farther the source of the non-sinus rhythm is (we will use this name for rhythms of an ectopic nature), the frequency is usually less and less often than the impulses of the sinus node.

Causes of rhythm change
Symptoms of the disease
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment Methods

Non-sinus rhythms can occur with changes in the area of the sinus node, as well as in other conductive departments. These modifications can be:

sclerotic;
ischemic;
inflammatory.

Ectopic disorders are classified in different ways. There are several forms:

Supraventricular ectopic rhythm. Its causes are an overdose of cardiac glycosides, as well as vegetative dystonia. It rarely happens that this form is due to an increase in the automatism of the ectopic focus. In this case, the heart rate will be higher than with an accelerated or replacement rhythm of an ectopic nature.
ventricular rhythm. Usually this form indicates that significant changes have occurred in the myocardium. If the ventricular rate is very low, then ischemia can occur, affecting important organs.
atrial rhythm. It often occurs in the presence of rheumatism, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemia, neurocirculatory dystonia, even in healthy people. As a rule, it is present temporarily, but sometimes stretches for a long period. It happens that the atrial rhythm is congenital.

Changes occurring in the myocardium due to neuroendocrine influences can also occur in children. This means that in the heart of the child there are additional foci of excitation that function independently of each other. Such violations are divided into several forms:

active: paroxysmal tachycardia and extrasystole;
accelerated: atrial fibrillation.

The disease can even occur in a child

Ventricular extrasystoles in childhood begin to develop in cases of cardiac organic pathology. Very rarely, but there are cases when this type can be diagnosed in a healthy child, even in a newborn.

Against the background of a viral infection at an early age, attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia occur, which can take place in a very severe form, called supraventricular. This is possible with congenital heart defects, an overdose of atropine and with carditis. Attacks of this form often occur when the patient wakes up and changes the position of the body.

Etiology and pathogenesis of sinus arrhythmia in dogs

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is often detected in healthy dogs (approximately 80% of clinically healthy dogs), can occur with non-cardiac diseases (fever, infectious diseases, emphysema, obesity, hypertension, pleuropericardial adhesions, increased intracranial pressure), cardiac diseases (myocarditis, infarction myocardial infarction, cardiosclerosis, acquired heart defects) with medical effects (morphine-like drugs, digitalis, vagotonic drugs).

The pathogenesis of sinus respiratory arrhythmia is based on a reflex change in the tone of the sympathetic and vagus nerves during expiration and inspiration. The uneven generation of impulses in the sinus node is associated with the occurrence of a number of reflexes.

Bainbridge reflex - when inhaling, more blood flow to the heart increases pressure and stimulates baroreceptors located in the right atrium and vena cava, which causes stimulation of the sympathetic nerve and acceleration of the heart rate. When exhaling, the opposite effect develops accordingly.

Pressor reflex - when inhaling, the pressure in the aorta and the stroke volume of the heart increase, which leads to stimulation of the pressor receptors located in the aortic arch and carotid sinus, which causes potentiation of the vagal effect.

The Hering-Breuer reflex is associated with stretching of the lungs. Thus, when inhaling, the endings of afferent nerve fibers are irritated, which leads to inhibition of the vagus nerve and is accompanied by an acceleration of the heart rate. During exhalation, stimulation of the vagus nerve occurs, which is accompanied by a slowing of the heart rate.

The reasons

Arrhythmia can occur due to several reasons.

Heart diseases. Pathologies of this vital organ are one of the most common causes of arrhythmia.
Other diseases. Arrhythmia can occur due to diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, as well as diseases of other organs, which may be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
Hunger and dehydration. A dog can get arrhythmia if the animal's body receives an insufficient amount of the necessary substances contained in food and water.
stressful situations. If a pet lives in uncomfortable conditions and is often stressed, this can also be one of the causes of arrhythmia.
Injuries and bruises. One of the causes of arrhythmia is the presence of mechanical damage on the body of the dog (especially in the chest area), as well as a number of pathologies, such as diaphragmatic hernia or gastric volvulus.

Varieties of pathology

The most dangerous blockade. In this case, the propagation of cardiac impulses becomes difficult due to some kind of defect that “blocks” the nerve bundle. As a rule, this type of pathology is often detected in those dogs that have suffered myocarditis. Real scars often remain on the surface of the heart, which can no longer function as a conductor. This is exactly what sinus arrhythmia happens when impulses do not propagate from the atrioventricular node.

Extrasystole is a condition when the atria and / and ventricles begin to contract at an accelerated pace, "not coordinating" the moment of compression. This is how the most dangerous variety, atrial fibrillation in dogs, manifests itself. In this case, each muscle fiber of the heart muscle completely loses its rhythm and begins to live its own life.

Clinical signs of sinus arrhythmia

Complaints in pets are usually absent. The heart rate and pulse then slow down, then accelerate. The sonority and strength of heart tones do not change.

After exercise, the use of atropine, mental arousal (irritation of the sympathetic nerve), respiratory arrhythmia usually disappears. In a state of sleep or rest (irritation of the vagus nerve), on the contrary, it increases.

Leading electrocardiographic criteria for sinus arrhythmia:

the rhythm of the ventricles and atria is the same, but incorrect;
P waves negative in aVR, positive in lead II;
intervals R-R (or R-R) of unequal duration;
the difference between the minimum and maximum R-R intervals exceeds 10%;
the duration of the P-Q interval is constant (Figure 1).

Figure 1 shows an electrocardiogram of a dog (Doberman Pinscher, 9 years old, male, named Samson, weight 37 kg) with sinus arrhythmia, which occurred after paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (the underlying heart disease of DCM). Positive P waves precede QRS complexes, their configuration is constant in consecutive leads.

Duration, P wave, P-Q interval, QRS complex, Q-T and R-R intervals, respectively, reach values of 0.03; 0.10; 0.04; 0.20 and 0.45-0.55 s, which corresponds to the standards for this type of animal. The heart rate is 120 min-1. The degree of arrhythmia (RRmax - RRmin / RRmax) is 18.2%.

Dilatation of the chambers of the heart, aorta - background, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

In order to help your pet as quickly as possible, it is recommended to recognize arrhythmia in the early stages. Despite the fact that in most cases the disease is asymptomatic and detected during preventive examinations, it can be suspected if the dog feels lethargic.

With the symptoms of arrhythmia in dogs and methods of treating animal heart disease, it is carried out under the constant supervision of a competent veterinarian.

In fact, cardiac arrhythmia is a violation of the rhythm. and of course the sequence of heartbeats. Basically, arrhythmia is secondary. that is, the cause of its appearance becomes a complication from another disease.

And rhythm in pets most often appears with heart disease. but it can also manifest itself from blood loss and various other diseases. pulmonary and renal. oncological and other diseases lead to arrhythmias. with diarrhea and vomiting. Also, arrhythmia can occur from stress and pain.

Starvation or lack of water. heat stroke or vice versa hypothermia. as well as no less critical situations lead to a violation of the rhythm of the heart muscle #8212; arrhythmias. As a complication, arrhythmia occurs with injuries and various surgical pathologies. In fact, the list of occurrences of arrhythmias can be long. Important to know.

The worst thing is that arrhythmia can lead to the sudden death of your four-legged.

Diagnosis of arrhythmias in dogs

In order to make the most accurate diagnosis, the doctor may recommend several procedures.

ECG. As a rule, this procedure allows you to determine the presence of an arrhythmia in a dog, however, the cardiogram may not be enough to prescribe the most effective treatment.
Clinical and biochemical blood tests. These procedures allow you to determine the cause of arrhythmia in a dog.
Echocardiography. With this procedure, you can establish changes in the heart muscle or indicate heart failure.
Holter monitoring. In the event that the pet suffers from a non-permanent arrhythmia, and the disease cannot be recognized using an ECG, Holter monitoring should be performed. This process is carried out with the help of a special device, which is fixed on the animal's body and records the cardiogram for several hours (the dog's presence in the clinic is not a prerequisite). The recorded data is transferred and processed by a computer.

Symptoms of arrhythmias in dogs and methods of treating animal heart disease

In order to get rid of arrhythmia in a dog, you must perform the following steps.

Analyze your general health. In order to eliminate arrhythmia, it is necessary to understand what disease caused it.
Contact a veterinarian who will prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs. The effectiveness of treatment can be checked with repeat ECGs.

Arrhythmia is a fairly serious disease for a dog. However, a thorough examination by a veterinarian, as well as the right treatment will help to solve this problem as quickly as possible.

Sinus arrhythmia usually does not require therapy. With severe vagotonia, atropine sulfate is prescribed subcutaneously 0.05-0.07 mg / kg. In heart disease - treatment of the underlying disease. see DCMP.

Negative consequences

Arrhythmia has a negative effect on the state of the animal's body.

It aggravates the course of the underlying disease. In this case, it will be quite difficult to cure the pet.
body intoxication. The appearance of such a process in the body can be explained by a decrease in cardiac output, a violation of the animal's blood circulation process, as well as the inability of the body to receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
Sudden death. Arrhythmia can cause instant death.

The cause of arrhythmia is an abnormal change in the frequency of impulses that regulate the heartbeat, which leads to an irregular rhythm. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or stop.

The sinoatrial node (aka sinus node) initiates electrical impulses or contractions in the heart, causing it to beat. The strength of the discharge emanating from the sinus node depends on two opposite influences of the nervous system: excitation from the vagus nerves reduces the strength of the spontaneous discharge and prevails over sympathetic stimulation. During inhalation, the response from the respiratory and cardiac centers produces increased heart rate by reducing the limitations of the functions of the vagus nerve. During exhalation, in turn, the opposite happens.

Sinus Artemia also depends on reflexes. affecting pulmonary stretch receptors, pressure and volume sensory receptors in the heart, blood vessels, and blood chemistry. As a rule, there is no effect on blood flow, but severe sinus arrhythmia can cause long pauses in the heartbeat, which leads to loss of consciousness in the absence of a replacement rhythm .

Arrhythmia in dogs is quite common and is not always the reason for worry. Infrequent irregular heartbeats may not cause other health problems. However, since this disorder may be an early symptom of a more serious illness, it is wise to take the animal to the veterinarian. Certain breeds appear to be predisposed to arrhythmia, most notably the brachiocephalic breeds: Bulldogs, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pugs, Sharpei, Shih Tzu, and Boxers.

Symptoms of arrhythmias in dogs

The first symptom is that the heart beats too fast, too slow, or stops, which is also called an irregular heartbeat. Physical weakness may appear, and if the pauses between blows are too long, loss of consciousness is possible. It occurs quite rarely.

As a rule, non-respiratory symptoms appear more often than respiratory ones.

Signs of arrhythmia in dogs

Normal periodic changes in the vagus nerves associated with breathing: the heart rate increases with inhalation and slows down with exhalation.

Predisposing diseases that increase the tone of the vagus nerve: high intracranial pressure, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, brain diseases, digitalis intoxication (due to treatment with digoxin), congestive heart failure.

Brachycephalic head.

Diseases affecting the vagus nerves.

Diagnosis of arrhythmias in dogs

The veterinarian will a thorough examination of your dog. taking into account the history of onset of symptoms and incidents that may have led to the condition. You will be required to provide a full account of your dog's medical history and first symptoms. All this can give your veterinarian a hint about whether there are any predisposing disorders to arrhythmia, whether other organs are affected by the disease. This information will help diagnose faster .

Electrocardiogram (ECG) used to check the flow of electrical impulses in the heart muscles. It can detect abnormalities in the heart's electrical conduction (which underlies the heart's ability to contract/beat). X-rays of the head and neck are used to detect abnormalities in the anatomy that are causing breathing problems.

If there is a suspicion of a disease of the upper respiratory tract. Your veterinarian may use a minimally invasive technique called pharyngoscopy or laryngoscopy, in which a tube-like device with a camera attached is inserted into the airways (pharynx and larynx, respectively) in order to visually examine them.

Arrhythmia treatment

Usually special treatment for arrhythmias in dogs required only if the disorder is associated with symptomatic slow heart rate. If the underlying disease is not related to breathing problems, then the animal will be treated immediately. If your dog has respiratory failure, then it needs to be hospitalized until the condition stabilizes. There is no need to reduce activity, unless your pet has a specific illness (for example, brachycephalic animals may need to reduce activity, especially at high temperatures).

Your veterinarian will recommend reduce calories. if your dog is overweight, as it leads to severe breathing problems. You will need only those medicines that are necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Further care

The veterinarian will sign you up for repeated examinations only if the dog has a rare form of the disease. If she has a common type of arrhythmia, random irregular heartbeats, and her health is not affected, you will not need to undergo additional treatment beyond regular medical examinations.

Cardiac arrhythmias in dogs

Cardiac arrhythmia in dogs is that the heart beats with an unstable and uneven rhythm. There are several types of cardiac arrhythmia, but they all occur due to disturbances in the generation and transmission of electrical impulses in the heart.

Risk factors for cardiac arrhythmia in dogs

In some cases, the arrhythmia is minor and harmless to the dog, in others it can lead to life-threatening consequences.

Regardless of age, breed and gender, all dogs can be affected by cardiac arrhythmias. True, some breeds have a predisposition to certain types of arrhythmias. Large breeds are prone to atrial fibrillation, which causes an abnormally high heart rate. The Labrador Retriever is particularly prone to supraventricular tachycardia, which also causes the heart to beat faster.

Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia in dogs

A sign of cardiac arrhythmia is a non-nervously high, low, as well as uneven and unstable heart rate. Frequent symptoms of the disease are shortness of breath, loss of appetite and general weakness, up to complete exhaustion.

Diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs

For an accurate diagnosis of the disease, a thorough veterinary examination will be required. It is necessary to perform blood and urine tests. Arrhythmias in dogs can be the result of other diseases, such as hypothyroidism.

Using an ECG, you can diagnose arrhythmia and set its type. A chest x-ray will help identify possible damage to the heart muscle. An ultrasound will show how well your dog's heart is functioning and if there is any damage.

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs

Treatment will depend on the cause of the disease. If an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, has caused your dog's heart problems, then treatment for the underlying medical condition needs to be started. Solving the cause, as a rule, helps to get rid of cardiac arrhythmia.

Treatment will vary depending on the type of cardiac arrhythmia the dog develops. Heart rhythm disorders are classified according to the part of the heart in which they occur. Some types require therapy, including medications or electric shocks. Others may not require treatment.

Drugs such as digoxin (digitalis, foxglove), lidocaine, diltiazem, atropine, propranolol are often used for heart rhythm disturbances. Arrhythmia can also be brought under control with the implantation of a pacemaker.

Seek immediate veterinary care if you notice signs of an arrhythmia. The sooner treatment is started, the less negative consequences and complications will be in the future.

Arrhythmia in dogs

Did you know that our dogs suffer from the same diseases as humans. We will consider one of these diseases today. it arrhythmias in dogs.

Arrhythmia in dogs is a pathology associated with a disorder of the rhythm or frequency of contractions of the heart muscle.

This disease in dogs is detected quite often. Veterinarians differentiate rhythm disturbance into several types.

First type associated with acceleration. with tachycardia. or slow pace. with bradycardia.

Second type violations occur against the background of a change in conductivity and are characterized by a delay in the impulse.

Third type violations occurs as a result of ectopia. those. congenital In a healthy dog, impulses are generated in a special area of \u200b\u200bthe heart muscle. called the sino-atrial node. This area is responsible for the heart rate. In this way. this pathology is dangerous. that impulses begin to arise outside this node. which inevitably leads to early contraction - extrasystole.

In veterinary practice, arrhythmia in dogs is most often determined using simple diagnostic manipulations - palpation and auscultation (listening). However, if arrhythmia is suspected, one should certainly resort to a more informative diagnostic method - electrocardiography.

Through palpation, the veterinarian is able to get an idea of the frequency and strength of the contraction. To make palpation more effective. it should be performed on the left in the third or fourth intercostal space of the dog. Of course, this procedure can be carried out on the right. but on the left the cardiac impulse is much stronger.

Auscultation is also important for making an accurate diagnosis and is a mandatory step in examining a dog. To obtain reliable data, it should be carried out regularly and continuously. Sometimes the veterinarian in parallel with auscultation palpates the pulse. It is better and more convenient to use the dog's femoral artery for this purpose.

As already mentioned. The most informative method for determining arrhythmia in a dog is electrocardiography. This method is based on the registration of the electrical activity of the heart. As a result, a detailed picture of cardiac activity can be obtained. rhythm. conductivity. place of impulse generation.

The heart rate of a healthy dog is highly variable. The range lies in the region of 60 - 120 beats / min. In large breeds, the contraction frequency will shift down. and for small ones - in a large one. However, this factor should be taken into account. that in a healthy dog, the frequency of contractions can increase dramatically and reach 160 beats / min. This can happen. for example. even from excitement at a veterinary examination.

Manifestations of bradycardia. in other words, a decrease in heart rate in dogs. may be the result of pathological disorders of the central nervous system. inhibition of thyroid function. hypothermia or poisoning. However. in certain breeds of dogs. for example. hunting. bradycardia is normal. considering their lifestyle and training.

Tachycardia. like pathology. also occurs against the background of a number of diseases. for example. fever. anemia. heart failure.

Dogs have a curious physiological feature. associated with breathing. with which arrhythmia is the norm. This feature should be emphasized. At the time of inspiration, the heart rate rises. and at expiration - decreases. This fact sometimes misleads not only the owners of the dog. but even inexperienced veterinarians. because they confuse it with a real arrhythmia. To avoid mistakes. with auscultation, an experienced veterinarian monitors respiratory movements. Besides. respiratory arrhythmia is leveled with an increase in heart rate. which may be due to physical activity.

Blockade is. perhaps. the most dangerous cardiac arrhythmia. It is a consequence of anomalies in the conduction pathways of the heart. interfering with the normal movement of the impulse. As a result, the contraction of the heart becomes inconsistent. The success of the treatment of this pathology will directly depend on that. where exactly the impulse is blocked. Myocarditis can serve as prerequisites for the appearance of blockade.

Extrasystole is a fairly common arrhythmia among dogs. As a result of this pathology, additional contractions are observed as the whole heart. as well as its departments. The reason for this behavior of the heart is the newly formed center of electrical activity. which creates false impulses. A similar node can occur against the background of ischemic heart disease in a dog. myocarditis or malformations.

Despite the high prevalence of extrasystole among dogs, it is a dangerous disease. which can easily end in death. It should be remembered that one of the pronounced symptoms is a chronic cough. If your dog is constantly coughing, be sure to take him to the vet.

Dog owners should be aware. that at the slightest suspicion arrhythmia you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic for qualified help. Procrastination is literally like death.

The cause of arrhythmia is an abnormal change in the frequency of impulses that regulate the heartbeat, which leads to an irregular rhythm. The heart may beat too fast, too slow, or stop.

Sinus Artemia also depends on reflexes affecting pulmonary stretch receptors, pressure and volume sensory receptors in the heart, blood vessels, and blood chemistry. As a rule, there is no effect on blood flow, but severe sinus arrhythmia can cause long pauses in the heartbeat, which leads to loss of consciousness in the absence of a replacement rhythm.

Symptoms of arrhythmias in dogs

As a rule, non-respiratory symptoms appear more often than respiratory ones.

Signs of arrhythmia in dogs

Normal periodic changes in the vagus nerves associated with breathing: the heart rate increases with inhalation and slows down with exhalation.

Brachycephalic head.

Diseases affecting the vagus nerves.

Diagnosis of arrhythmias in dogs

The veterinarian will a thorough examination of your dog taking into account the history of onset of symptoms and incidents that may have led to the condition. You will be required to provide a full account of your dog's medical history and first symptoms. All this can give your veterinarian a hint about whether there are any predisposing disorders to arrhythmia, whether other organs are affected by the disease. This information will help diagnose faster.

If it is suspected, your veterinarian may use a minimally invasive technique called pharyngoscopy or laryngoscopy, in which a tube-like device with an attached camera is inserted into the airways (pharynx and larynx, respectively) in order to visually examine them.

Arrhythmia treatment

Your veterinarian will recommend reduce calories if your dog is overweight, as it leads to severe breathing problems. You will need only those medicines that are necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Further care

The main causes of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs. Reception of a veterinary cardiologist in Serpukhov

Cardiac arrhythmias in dogs are not uncommon in the practice of a veterinarian. The normal functioning of the heart in dogs depends on the coordinated conduction of the impulse through the myocardium. Due to the efficient functioning of the conduction system, the correct sequence of contractions is maintained in clinically healthy dogs.
Heart rhythm disturbances in dogs, or arrhythmias, most often occur secondary to some underlying disease.
How to suspect the presence of heart rhythm pathology in your dog?
Arrhythmias in small pets can be hidden.
Often, dysrhythmias become incidental findings during a standard cardiac examination of a dog by an internist, anesthesiologist, or cardiologist.
Clinical signs that may indicate the presence of dysrhythmia in a small pet are non-specific, and therefore pet owners often do not realize that their pet has heart rhythm and conduction disorders. Fainting, weakness and decreased exercise tolerance, intermittent shortness of breath should serve as a motivation for an urgent visit to a veterinarian and all necessary diagnostic tests.

Etiology of arrhythmias in dogs

Arrhythmias in dogs often occur with pathology of the heart itself., but no less rare in various other diseases:

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
lung diseases
kidney disease
diseases accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea
with anemia
with blood loss
in oncological processes in the abdominal cavity
in oncological processes in the chest

Rhythm disturbances in dogs can appear in response to stress and pain.
Hunger, as well as prolonged lack of water, hypothermia and heat stroke, and other critical conditions can lead to disruption of the electrical activity of the myocardium in dogs.
Various injuries, acute surgical pathologies (for example, torsion of the stomach or spleen, diaphragmatic hernia, injuries and injuries of the chest) are often complicated by arrhythmias.
This list of causes of heart rhythm problems in dogs is almost endless.
It is important to remember that conduction pathology and arrhythmias significantly complicate the course of the underlying disease, as they can lead to a decrease in cardiac output, as a result of which the process of blood circulation in the body is disrupted, tissues and organs receive less oxygen, and metabolic products accumulate in the cells, causing intoxication of the dog's body. .
In addition, arrhythmias can cause sudden death in dogs, German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback breeds.

What will the veterinarian of the Veterinary Center "At the World with Animals" do?

The doctor will clinically examine your pet, take an electrocardiogram. It is often possible to suspect the presence of disturbances in the heart rhythm already at this stage.
Arrhythmias in dogs are often audible on routine cardiac auscultation and require further diagnosis.
ECG in dogs is the main way to determine the type of dysrhythmia, its prognosis and allows you to choose therapy and effectively control it.
Canine echocardiography is an expert method that allows you to detect pathological changes in the myocardium and heart dysfunction, to indicate the presence of congestive heart failure in a dog.

Having found violations on the electrocardiogram, the veterinarian needs to find out the cause of the dysrhythmia. To do this, you will need to take blood tests from your dog (general clinical and biochemical). These tests will help to identify the presence of systemic diseases in the dog, the presence of metabolic disorders, which can also cause the development of heart disease.
Plain thoracic radiography in at least two projections may be required to identify the stage of cardiovascular disease and comorbidities.
For a more detailed diagnosis of cardiac pathology in a dog, it will be necessary to conduct a complete cardiological examination by a highly specialized specialist - a veterinary cardiologist. In addition to the results of blood tests and ECG, the cardiologist may do an echocardiogram.
Breed predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias in dogs
In dogs of the Doberman and Boxer breeds, heart disease occurs, in which dysrhythmias are the main symptom of the disease and threaten the life of the dog. Asymptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy occurs in these breeds. It is advisable to recommend that all dogs of these breeds undergo an annual screening preventive cardio examination.

Holter monitoring in small animals

Arrhythmia in dogs is not always constant. If there is enough data for the presence of arrhythmia in a sick dog, but it is not detected during a standard electrocardiographic examination, the so-called Holter monitoring is performed. For this purpose, a small device is attached to the body of a sick dog using a special vest, which records an electrocardiogram during the day, while the pet does not have to be in a veterinary clinic. Then the data from the device is transferred to a computer, where a cardiologist can analyze it.

Treatment of arrhythmias in dogs

It is necessary to identify the main primary problem that led to the development of rhythm disturbance, and try to eliminate it. If the therapy of the underlying pathology does not eliminate heart rhythm disturbances, then special antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed. The effectiveness of therapy in dogs is checked by repeated electrocardiographic examination.
Usually, the conducting system in dogs responds well to drug treatment, and when the main etiological factor is eliminated, the water and electrolyte balance is restored, and under the influence of antiarrhythmic drugs, in most cases it is possible to stop an attack of dysrhythmia and prevent the development of new attacks. But in some cases, cardiologists have to deal with persistent, severe arrhythmias that threaten the dog's life. In this case, the veterinarian will try to choose the most effective antiarrhythmic drug for life use or will recommend installing a pacemaker for your dog.

In the veterinary center "In the World with Animals" (Serpukhov), the doctor-cardiologist Rudenko Andrey Anatolyevich conducts the appointment. Sign up for an appointment with us.