How Should One Care For A Dog Suffering From An Irregular Heart Beat?

Just like other mammals, the heart beat in dogs are due to impulses that are sent from the brain. In case these impulses experience any interruptions the heart beat will become irregular. This symptom is called arrhythmia and it varies in its frequency as well as intensity. Dogs with or without congenital heart disease may suffer from arrhythmias.

Although in most cases, the heart will beat less effectively than it should, in some severe cases, the heart may simply cease to beat. In a dog suffering from arrhythmias, volume of blood pumped around the body is reduced. In some cases the heart is forced to contract before its chambers get filled up with blood hence letting less blood to be pumped to the other parts of the body. The heart beats will increase in an effort to compensate for the less blood volume which will put even more pressure on an already ailing heart.

Arrhythmias is treated with medicines that would relax the muscles of the heart and make it beat slower such that the chambers get filled up with blood before contraction.
Breeds that are at higher risk to contract some form of this disease are Cavalier King Charles, Pugs, Miniature Schnauzers, Boxers, German Shepherds, Dobermans and Irish Wolfhounds.