View mypetMD Content
Home » Dog Conditions
PetMD Seal

Rapid Heart Beat in Dogs

Save to mypetMD
Share | Print
PrintPrint

Treatment

 

Dogs with sustained SVT or signs of congestive heart failure should be hospitalized immediately. There they may undergo a variety of non-pharmacologic, emergency interventions, including vagal maneuvers, precorial thump, and/or electrical cadioversion. Delivering a precordial thump is successful in terminating an SVT more than 90 percent of the time, but may break the ryhtym for only a brief period.

 

To perform a precordial thump, the dog is placed on its right side and then "thumped" in the affected region with a fist while recording the EKG.

 

Living and Management

 

Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments for your dog as needed for treating the SVT and/or the underlying heart disease with prescription medication and/or dietary changes. He or she will recommend that you feed your dog a low sodium diet as well as restrict its activity until further notice. Short, low impact outdoor walks are ideal during this time.

 

 
View Full Article
Share | Print

Related Articles

Heart Disease of the Sinus Node in Dogs
The sinoatrial node (SA Node, or SAN), also called the sinus node, is the initiator...
READ MORE
Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in ...
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle that is characterized...
READ MORE
Heart Block (Mobitz Type II) in Dogs
Second degree AV block in dogs is a disease in which the electrical conduction system...
READ MORE
  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»

symptom checker

Search dog Articles

 

Follow petMD


Keep your pets healthy and safe with the latest from petMD

Latest In Dog Nutrition

How Antioxidants Improve Our Pet's Health, ...
The science behind pet nutrition continues to make major advances. One such example...
READ MORE
Five Life-Lengthening Health Tips for Your ...
Anyone who has ever had a dog or cat wishes just one thing — that he or she has a...
READ MORE
How Your Overweight Pet Could Benefit from ...
Pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Fortunately, there are some things...
READ MORE
MORE FROM PETMD.COM