Cats, like humans, have only one very regular normal heart rhythm. When the heart rhythm is very regular, the time interval of each heart beat is consistent, and the point of impulse signal is usually located in the sinus node of the heart, so it is called sinus rhythm. The heart rate accelerates during exercise and slows down during rest, but the time intervals between each pulsation are not much different.
Arrhythmia refers to irregular heart rhythm. Cats with sinus arrhythmia have fast and slow heart rhythm. Compared with normal sinus rhythm, the intervals of each heartbeat are different.
1. Cause
Causes: Cats can cause increased vagus nerve tension. A disease similar to that of dogs, but vagus nerve excitation can hardly cause sinus arrhythmia in cats. Sinus irregularities in cats usually suggest primary heart problems.
2. Clinical symptoms
Clinical symptoms related to heart disease may occur when sinus arrhythmia in cats. The affected cat may be quieter than usual and will not be willing to move. Breathing may be faster and more vigorous than usual. Some heart disease cats may also cough.
3. The only way to diagnose
can distinguish sinus arrhythmia and other types of arrhythmia is electrocardiogram (ECG). If sinus arrhythmias are found in ECG examination, whether further examinations are required/not required depends on the patient's clinical symptoms. Possible examinations include laboratory tests, thoracic/abdominal x-rays, echocardiography (cat).
4. Treatment of sinus arrhythmia in cats usually does not have corresponding treatment recommendations, but heart disease should be treated.
If the patient's heart arrhythmia is very severe, ECG may be required to monitor sinus arrhythmia. Regular ECG monitoring is the only way to determine that no other pathological rhythms appear. The subsequent follow-up visits, monitoring and examinations depend on the primary cause of sinus arrhythmia.
Dietary management of cat heart disease
1. Corresponding to each disease period, control sodium intake.
2. Beware of loss of appetite. Maintain proper weight.
3. Food should have high palatability, high energy density and high protein.
4. Nutrients that must be found in maintaining heart health: EPA, DHA, L-arginine, anti-reactive oxygen species, vitamin B group, magnesium, aminoethanesulfonic acid, L-carnitine. The prognosis of sinus arrhythmia in cats depends on the type and severity of primary heart disease. For cat heart disease, early detection and treatment and diet management can delay the development of the disease and improve the current living conditions. Do a physical examination for cats at least once a year. The increase in elderly cats can be twice a year, and some chronic diseases can be detected early, so that scientific management and delay aging can be managed and delayed. Don't think "this is a normal geriatric disease". If you have any concerns about changes in symptoms, please consult a veterinarian.