Heartbeat Arrhythmia in Cats: An Overview
Dog Breeds
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.
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Definition of Heartbeat Arrhythmia in Cats
A cardiac arrhythmia is a disturbance in the normal rhythm of the heart, either in frequency (beating too fast or too slow), in amplitude (beating too strongly or not strongly enough), in regularity (skipping beats), or most commonly in several or all of these areas. Arrhythmias can cause no medical problems or can be extremely serious and even life-threatening.
How Cardiac Arrhythmias Affect Cats
Many cats have a mild irregular heartbeat from time to time, especially if they are nervous, scared or stressed. This is considered fairly normal. Young cats that are diagnosed with an arrhythmia during a well-kitten veterinary visit may just be frightened by the unfamiliar people and place. This form of arrhythmia typically is a heart rhythm that is a bit too fast or which skips a beat from time to time. It is not considered especially serious.
The clinical signs of cardiac arrhythmias in cats can mimic a number of medical disorders. Cats with mild to moderate arrhythmias often show no clinical signs. When signs do appear, they can be very nonspecific. For example, the owner may notice that the cat is just not as active as usual, pants with activity or simply “poops out” with normal exertion. Severe arrhythmias can present with coughing, fainting spells, abdominal discomfort, rapid shallow breathing, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and even sudden death. It is not unusual for these signs to wax and wane in cats with underlying heart disease. When a veterinarian suspects that a patient may have a clinically relevant arrhythmia, a complete cardiac workup is usually recommended. The cardiac workup may include thoracic radiographs (chest x-rays), electrocardiography, echocardiography, blood work (a complete blood count and serum chemistry panel) and a urinalysis. These tests can help to identify or rule out any underlying medical conditions or primary heart abnormalities which may be causing or contributing to the heart rhythm irregularity.
If you notice any of these signs in your cat, take him or her to a veterinarian as soon as you can. Be thorough in describing what you observed, when you observed it and why you are concerned. Cardiac arrhythmias often can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Causes of Cardiac Arrhythmia in Cats
Cardiac arrhythmias can occur for many reasons, but fundamentally they involve abnormal electrical activity in heart muscle. Some cardiac rhythm disturbances are of no clinical significance, but others can be extremely serious and even fatal. The causes of heartbeat arrhythmia can include inherited or congenital defects, infections, injuries, ingestion of poisons or toxins, cancer, environmental stressors, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, breed predisposition, anemia, heartworm infection, fever, hypothermia, nutritional deficiencies and a number of other conditions or disorders. Dietary deficiency in taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, can cause severe arrhythmias and heart disease – especially dilated cardiomyopathy. However, most high-quality commercial cat food diets now contain the daily recommendations of taurine, and today this is an uncommon cause of heart problems in well-fed cats. Some animals live a normal life with mild heartbeat disturbances, while others are affected much more severely.
Preventing Cardiac Arrhythmias in Cats
Because the potential causes of heartbeat irregularities are so varied, there is no simple way to prevent them. Good dietary management, regular activity and annual veterinary check-ups will go a long way toward keeping companion cats fit and sound.
Special Notes
It is important for owners to remember that, as with heart murmurs, heartbeat abnormalities often go undetected for years, and many cats never show any signs of discomfort or distress. Moreover, cardiac arrhythmias often can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms and Types