Supraventricular Tachycardia in Dogs
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) refers to an abnormally rapid heart rate originating above the heart's ventricles. This can occur during times of rest or low activity (i.e., at times other than exercise, illness, or stress). A heart rate that remains excessively high over the long-term (such as those seen with SVT) can lead to progressive myocardial (heart muscle) failure as well as congestive heart failure.
SVT may go unnoticed when it is periodic, but when there are repetitive supraventricular premature electrical heart depolarizations (changes in the heart's electrical potential) that originate from a site other than the sinus node (the pacemaker of the heart), such as in the atrial muscle or atrioventricular nodal tissue, the condition can become a serious health problem.
Symptoms and Types
- Slow SVT or infrequent attacks of SVT
- Fast SVT (heart rate above 300 beats per minute)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Causes
There are several factors that may lead to SVT, including:
- Heart disease
- Digoxin toxicity
- Systemic disorders
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Abnormal automaticity in an ectopic focus (when the heart beats prematurely or outside the normal parameters)
Some dogs even develop SVT due to a genetic predisposition or because of an unknown reason.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, taking into account the background history of symptoms that you provide. Standard laboratory tests include a biochemical profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel to rule out systemic disease, cancer, and electrolyte imbalances.
tack
Equipment used for riding horses or driving horses
otic
Anything having to do with the ear
sinus
A cavity within a bone; may also indicate a flow or channel
mane
The long hair at the back of the neck on a horse
nag
A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed
ion
An atom that has a positive or negative charge
ova
The word for female eggs
lysis
The breakdown of something or the destruction of something, biologically speaking
syncope
Fainting; the respiratory and circulatory systems are suspended for a time
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
disposition
An animal’s attitude or temperament
tachycardia
A medical condition in which the patient has an abnormally fast heartbeat
ventricle
a) A cavity in certain animals b) Term refers to a rear chamber in the heart or a cavity in the brain
paroxysm
A type of convulsion or muscle spasm that sets on quickly
electrocardiogram
A record of the activity of the myocardium
systemic
Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ
trocar
A type of needle-like tool that is used to puncture a cavity and draw out fluid or air