An irregular heartbeat can happen to pets, and when it happens, it is a medical situation called arrhythmia. Normally, the right upper chamber of the heart houses what we consider the normal pacemaker of the heart.
This structure is called the sinus node, and its normal function is the generation of the heart's electrical impulse. The impulse created is then carried through the upper chambers and gets to a structure known as the AV node.
This AV node is usually the only electrical connection existing between the upper and lower chambers of the heart; therefore, the impulse is conducted down to the pumping chambers, which further discharge and pump blood to the other body parts.
When there is an occurrence of an event that creates disruption in this described sequence of events, then an abnormal heart rhythm is created.
Arrhythmia may not come with visible signs, except if it is a long-lasting situation; at this point, pet owners or caregivers may notice signs like the pet sleeping or lying down around the house more, lethargy, limited appetite, vomiting, weakness, difficult breathing, intolerance to exercise, bloating, increased respiratory rate, collapse, or near collapse.
The occurrence of arrhythmia is usually mistaken for other conditions, most often old age symptoms. Any dog can suffer from this condition, but more importantly, there are some dog breeds that are predisposed to the condition, including bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Boxers, pugs, Shar-Peis, and Pekingese.
Arrhythmias are of different types too, it is not just of one type.
Sinus node disease creates a case of excessively low heart rate. One of the diseases that affects the sinus node is the sick sinus syndrome (SSS).
Heart block is a type of arrhythmia that leads to bradycardia, and it is often as a result of a disease of the AV node. In this case, the upper chamber of the heart does not communicate appropriately, therefore causing the heart to communicate either slowly or irregularly.
Atrial standstill is a condition in which normal atrial tissue has been replaced with abnormal tissue and is unable to conduct the electrical impulse appropriately.
Atrial fibrillation happens to be the most common supraventricular tachycardia that dogs experience; it is usually as a result of an underlying cardiac condition. The heart rhythm is usually a fast rhythm that is heard with a stethoscope and would sound like a tennis shoe in a dryer.
Ventricular premature complex is a type of irregular heartbeat. In this situation, the electrical impulse is initiated within the ventricles rather than the SA node, making the ventricles contract too early.
Supraventricular premature complexes come either from the tissue in the atrium or the tissue that surrounds the AV node. This situation also exhibits a rapid heart rate as a result of supraventricular premature complexes rapidly firing.
Myocarditis makes the heart swell, therefore resulting in an irregular rhythm. This heart condition can happen due to different underlying conditions like immune system disorders, viral infections, mineral deficiency, and exposure to toxins, among others.
A situation of irregular heartbeat in dogs can be caused by several factors, with some of the most common causes being age, heredity, injuries, stress, gastrointestinal disease, exposure to toxins, electrolyte imbalance, congestive heart failure, heart worm disease, serious anemia, congenital heart abnormalities, fungi, bacterial or viral infections, cerebral disorders, and exposure to toxins.
The treatment option for arrhythmia in dogs depends greatly on how severe the condition has gotten and the type and affected breed. Dog treatment may be in the form of. medications that will help to speed or slow down heart rate, a Holter monitor to track heart rate, the implantation of a pacemaker to regulate heart rate, or synchronized electrical cardio version to help restore normal heart rhythm.
Pet owners can help reduce the risk associated with arrhythmia if they adequately go for proper medical routine checks that would help them discover any possible underlying health issues that may lead to arrhythmia on time and treat them accordingly.
