Heartbeat arrhythmia in dogs occurs when the heart experiences abnormal electrical activity. The disturbance in electrical activity causes an irregular heartbeat, or a heartbeat that is too fast or too slow. Heartbeat arrhythmia can occur in dogs of all ages, and in all types of dog breeds.
If your dog’s irregular heartbeat is caused by an underlying condition, such as electrolyte imbalances, then this underlying condition must be addressed in order to treat the arrhythmia. In many cases the cause of the arrhythmia is unknown, and the arrhythmia may be controlled (but not really “treated” or “cured”) through use of medication.