Treating Heartbeat Arrhythmia in Cats
Dog Breeds
Heartbeat arrhythmia in cats is a condition in which the heartbeat has an irregular beat. This irregularity can occur as a faster than normal heartbeat, a slower than normal heartbeat, or a heartbeat that skips beats. Cats can develop heartbeat arrhythmias for a variety of reasons, and treatment is not always necessary.
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Introduction
A cardiac arrhythmia is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart that causes the heart to beat irregularly – either in rate or regularity. In and of themselves, arrhythmias do not necessarily indicate the presence of heart disease. Many cats have arrhythmias that are clinically insignificant and do not require treatment. Other cats suffer from severe arrhythmic episodes that can be fatal. If your cat has been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, the treatment plan will depend upon the cause and severity of the underlying condition.
Treating Heartbeat Arrhythmia in Cats
Some cats develop a temporary arrhythmia during times of excitement, fear or stress. Veterinarians often pick up on this condition when a cat comes in for its annual examination. This form of feline arrhythmia typically does not require treatment, although it should be noted and monitored.
Hyperthyroidism and kidney disease are two of the more common diseases that can be associated with arrhythmias in cats. Treating or at least managing the underlying disease can help to resolve the secondary arrhythmic condition. In many cases, the cause of the arrhythmia is unknown, and treatment must be based on the clinical signs shown by the cat.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is another common heart condition in cats that often is accompanied by arrhythmias. There is no cure for this disease, but there are treatments available that can help reduce the symptoms and extend the duration and quality of affected cats’ lives. Atenolol and diltiazem are among the two most popular prescription treatments available; these medications can help relax and reduce the workload of cardiac muscle, decrease the heart rate and modulate irregular heart rhythms. A host of other drugs, including antiarrhythmic medications, are available as well, and frequently several medications are used in combination to treat these disorders. As with any therapy, a veterinarian is best qualified to assess affected companion animals and recommend the best treatment or management protocols. New medications are always being developed.
There are several advanced surgical procedures that may be available for dogs and cats with particular heart conditions. These procedures are expensive and must be performed by a veterinary cardiology specialist. They are not something that most owners consider simply due to an irregular heartbeat. The first procedure, called catheter ablation (intracardiac electrophysiologic mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways) basically destroys the presumably faulty electrical pathways in or around the heart that may be causing or contributing to the rhythm irregularities. This procedure is carried out by inserting catheters into the main blood vessels, advancing the catheters towards the heart and using an electrical impulse to essentially initiate an arrhythmia and then destroy the tissue that is causing the arrhythmia. It has been reportedly used in dogs successfully, but it is unclear whether it is presently available for use in cats.
Another possible surgical procedure involves use of a pacemaker. As in people, this procedure has been successful for controlling severe cardiac arrhythmias in some companion animals. Again, the efficacy of its use in cats is uncertain.
Symptoms and Types