Have you heard of sick sinus syndrome in dogs but aren’t quite sure what it is or the prognosis of such a disease? This is the place to start. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this disease. Hint: It’s not just a runny nose (isn’t that the first thing you think of when you hear ‘sinus’).
What is Sick Sinus Syndrome?
To start, there is more than one “sinus” in the body. In this disease, the word refers to a node in the heart called the sinoatrial node. That’s why sometimes this is called heart disease of the sinus.
What happens?
It might be the first time you’ve heard of it, but the sinoatrial node (SA node, sinus node, or SAN) has a specific job necessary for the heart to work. It makes the heart beat with electrical charges by communicating with the AV node (atrioventricular node). So, when a dog has sick sinus syndrome, the impulses are all out of whack. Sinus arrest might happen – this is when the electrical stimulation stops.
Here are some other things that can happen to dogs or cats with sick sinus syndrome:
- Atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat from the atria, can be caused by SSS.
- Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome or a slower then faster heartbeat,
- Sinus Bradycardia, which is a slow beat,
- Coronary heart disease, which is the result of high blood pressure,
- Tachycardias or a rapid heartbeat,
Pets at risk for developing Sick Sinus syndrome
Both cats and dogs can get sick sinus syndrome. Among dogs, some dog breeds are more at risk, such as cocker spaniels.
Symptoms of Clinical Signs of Sick Sinus Syndrome
You may not see symptoms if you think your dog or cat has sick sinus syndrome. If you do see signs, they can include things such as:
- Changes in heartbeat (you may not notice this unless you have a stethoscope),
- Long pauses between heartbeats,
- Panting,
- Collapse or fainting/ syncope (when the brain doesn’t get enough blood),
- Loss of appetite, general weakness,
- Sometimes (but rarely) sudden death.
Diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome
If you think your dog or cat has sick sinus syndrome, you should immediately take them to the vet. Only a veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis. They will probably test your dog. Possible tests could include:
- Urinalysis,
- CBC (complete blood count),
- ECG,
- Taking the pet’s medical history (including family).
Your vet may also ask that you make your dog wear a heart monitor for 1-2 days to see the results. A heart monitor shows the heartbeats throughout the day so that your vet can see any irregularities and, if so, what kind. This is one of the best ways to see what’s happening in your dog’s heart.
Treatment Options
Some vets may recommend an artificial pacemaker implantation for your dog or cat. This will help regulate heartbeats. However, this is a very costly solution and may not work. Plus, dog patients must be hospitalized for several days during the surgery. You must consult your vet for the right advice to decide if a permanent pacemaker will work for your pet. Or your vet might prescribe some medications to treat the symptoms but not to cure sick sinus syndrome. One could be propantheline bromide, which can help your dog from sweating and cramping.
Which brings us to…
We want to remind folks that we at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians, or medical professionals. We are all a bunch of folks passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them. This is why if you feel like your pet may have sick sinus syndrome (or any other health issue), you’ll want to have them checked out by a vet ASAP!
An early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering them, but beyond that, diagnosing a medical condition early could save you a bundle in medical costs!
Cost of Treatment
How much is this all going to cost? Well, it won’t be cheap, especially if you decide to get a pacemaker for your dog. It could cost as low as $200 (if you only go for a diagnosis and decide you don’t need treatment), and it could be as expensive as $3000 or more if you get an implant for the heart. This is also why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
