Cardiac Arrhythmias in Dogs

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Cardiac Arrhythmias in Dogs

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

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Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Diagnosis In-depth

Cardiac arrhythmias are often detected during physical examination. Your veterinarian will listen to your pet's heart with a stethoscope to determine if its heart rate is too slow, too fast, or erratic. If an arrhythmia is detected or suspected, it is confirmed by means of an electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG). Your dog will be positioned on his right side and will have clips or pads attached to his arms and legs. This procedure is painless. The ECG is then turned on and a tracing is obtained of the electrical activity of the heart. The tracing is examined to determine if the heart rate and rhythm.

Sometimes, a simple ECG is inadequate to evaluate the significance of an arrhythmia. Other methods of evaluating the heart rhythm include post-exercise ECG, hospital telemetry, ambulatory (Holter) ECG, and the use of a cardiac event monitor.

These methods are particularly useful in assessing the overall frequency of an arrhythmia, the relationship of an arrhythmia to clinical signs, or the effectiveness of treatment.

In addition, other diagnostic tests are performed to determine the overall health of your dog.

Complete blood count – This is performed to evaluate the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Some dogs may be anemic or have an elevated white blood cell count.

Biochemical profile – This blood work is performed to determine the function of the body's organs and electrolyte levels. Some dogs may have a high or low potassium level, low thyroid levels or evidence of kidney or liver disease.

Radiographs – X-rays of the chest help determine if congestive heart failure is present or if there some underlying heart disease.

Ultrasound – An ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) helps determine the adequacy of cardiac function and the existence of any underlying heart disease.

Treatment In-depth

Treatment varies and depends on the type of arrhythmia and presence and extent of any underlying disease. Some arrhythmias do not require treatment and spontaneously convert to normal. Other arrhythmias are serious and require treatment. Some of the treatment options include:

Medications to control the arrhythmia, treat underlying heart disease, or normalize cardiac function. Medications used include digoxin, diltiazem, propranolol, enalapril, procainamide, lidocaine, and atropine.

Certain types of cardiac arrhythmias require the placement of a pacemaker to control the arrhythmia. Severe heart blocks often require a pacemaker to keep the heart rate and rhythm normal.

Dogs in congestive heart failure may need treatment with a diuretic (e.g. furosemide) and possibly nitroglycerine.

Dogs with underlying medical diseases often require additional medication. For example, dogs with hypoadrenocorticism may require steroid supplementation.

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1 Electrocardiogram in Dogs
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test done to record the electrical activity of the heart and is done by attaching small contact electrodes to the limbs and body.
Read More
2 Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Heart failure is a condition, caused by an abnormality in the structure or the function of the heart, in which it is unable to pump normal quantities of blood to the tissues of the body.
Read More
3 Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by dilation or enlargement of the heart chambers and markedly reduced contraction. DCM is very common in dogs, representing the most common reason...
Read More
4 Atrial Fibrillation in Dogs
In atrial fibrillation the normally coordinated electrical activity in the upper heart chambers, the right atrium and left atrium, is lost. The muscle of these chambers begins to wiggle like a "bag full...
Read More

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1Atrial Fibrillation in Dogs
In atrial fibrillation the normally coordinated electrical activity in the upper heart chambers, the right atrium and left atrium, is lost. The muscle of these chambers begins to wiggle like a "bag full...
Read More
2Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
Heart failure is a condition, caused by an abnormality in the structure or the function of the heart, in which it is unable to pump normal quantities of blood to the tissues of the body.
Read More
3Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by dilation or enlargement of the heart chambers and markedly reduced contraction. DCM is very common in dogs, representing the most common reason...
Read More
4Electrocardiogram in Dogs
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test done to record the electrical activity of the heart and is done by attaching small contact electrodes to the limbs and body.
Read More

Cardiac Arrhythmias in Dogs

Cardiac Arrhythmias in Dogs

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