Introduction
Heartbeat arrhythmia in cats is a condition that is characterized by an irregular heartbeat which is too fast, too slow, or skips beats. Some cats have a mild arrhythmia condition that is not life threatening, while other cats develop the condition due to an underlying illness or heart problem.
Cats frequently have a mild irregular heartbeat from time to time, especially if they are nervous or stressed. Younger cats that are diagnosed with a mild arrhythmia during a veterinarian visit may just be frightened because they are in an unfamiliar place. This type of arrhythmia normally is characterized by a rhythm that is a little fast or which skips a beat from time to time.
Causes of Heartbeat Arrhythmia in Cats
More serious conditions of heartbeat arrhythmia may be caused by nutritional deficiencies and health problems. Taurine deficiency can cause severe heartbeat arrhythmias, however most high quality cat food diets now contain the daily recommendations of taurine (if you are feeding your cat a home cooked diet you will need to give your cat a taurine supplement). Other types of heartbeat arrhythmias in cats can by caused by kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and heart disease.
Symptoms of Heartbeat Arrhythmia
The symptoms of heartbeat arrhythmia in cats can mimic other types of medical disorders. If a veterinarian suspects that a patient may have a heartbeat arrhythmia, then a cardiac workup is usually recommended. The cardiac workup may include an EKG, blood work, and a chest x-ray; these tests may help to definitively diagnose heartbeat arrhythmia and any underlying medical conditions which may be causing the arrhythmia.