Palpitations

What is palpitations in dogs?

Palpitations are a condition in which a dog's heart beats more than 160 beats per minute. This is significantly higher than the normal heart rate, which is between 60 and 140 beats per minute, depending on the size and age of the dog. Palpitations can be temporary or permanent. It can also be a symptom of another condition, such as heart disease, hyperthyroidism or poisoning.

What are the causes of palpitations in dogs?

There are many possible causes of palpitations in dogs. Some of them are:

Stress or excitement: When your dog is happy, anxious or nervous, his heart may beat faster. This is usually nothing to worry about as long as it calms down once the trigger is gone.

Physical exertion: If your dog is running, playing or exercising a lot, their heart needs more oxygen and therefore beats faster. This is also normal and healthy as long as your dog is not overexerted or suffering from a heart condition.

Heat: If your dog is exposed to the sun for too long or is locked in a hot car, he can suffer heatstroke. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate action. One sign of this is a very rapid heartbeat.

Medication: Some medications can cause tachycardia as a side effect. These include painkillers, antihistamines or bronchodilators, for example. If your dog is on such medication, you should check his heart rate regularly and inform your vet if you notice anything unusual.

Diseases: There are various diseases that can cause palpitations in dogs. These include, for example:

• Heart disease: When a dog's heart is weakened or damaged, it has to work harder to pump enough blood around the body. This can lead to a fast and irregular heartbeat. Heart disease can be congenital or acquired and can take various forms, such as heart valve insufficiency, myocarditis or arrhythmia.
• Hyperthyroidism: If a dog's thyroid gland produces too many hormones, this can speed up the metabolism and lead to an increased heart rate. Hyperthyroidism is rather rare in dogs and usually occurs as a result of tumor formation.
• Poisoning: If your dog has eaten or inhaled something poisonous, this can affect his nervous system and lead to a rapid heartbeat. The most common poisons for dogs include chocolate, rat poison, antifreeze, onions and garlic.

How do I recognize palpitations in my dog?

To determine whether your dog is suffering from palpitations, you need to take his pulse. You can do this as follows:

• Place your hand on the left side of your dog's chest, just behind the elbow.
• Count the number of beats for 15 seconds.
• Multiply this number by four to get the beats per minute.

If your dog has more than 160 beats per minute, he has palpitations. You should also look for other signs that may indicate a serious condition, such as

• Coughing
• wheezing
• Blue or pale tongue or gums
• Weakness or lethargy
• Fainting or collapse
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Bloated belly or fluid retention

If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible.

What can I do about palpitations in my dog?

The treatment of palpitations in dogs depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, it may be enough to reduce the stress or heat, adjust the medication or remove the toxin from the body. In other cases, a special diet, drug therapy or surgery may be necessary. Your vet will recommend the best treatment option for your dog.

To prevent heart palpitations in your dog, you can take the following measures:

• Ensure your dog has a balanced diet and avoid obesity.
• Provide your dog with regular exercise, but don't overdo it and be aware of his limits.
• Keep your dog away from heat sources and provide plenty of shade and water on hot days.
• Keep toxic substances out of your dog's reach and be careful with plants, food or medication that could be harmful to him.
• Have your dog regularly examined and vaccinated by a vet.