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Bulger Veterinary Hospital
  • Our Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Anesthesia & Pain Management
    • Cardiology
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency/Critical Care
    • Exotics
    • Internal Medicine
    • Ophthalmology
    • Surgery
    • Primary Pet Care
      • Kitten Kit
      • Puppy Pack
      • Elder Pet Care
    • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
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    • Emergencies + Appointments
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  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Referral Forms and Portal
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Our Blogs

Atrial Fibrilliation

September 30, 2016

The heart is a muscle that depends on electrical signals from a biological “pacemaker” (located in the atria of the heart) to generate the regular and evenly spaced contractions of the chambers of the heart necessary to pump blood with its vital oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.  Heart disease and natural limitations may cause these signals to become interrupted or chaotic in a number of ways producing arrhythmias.

One very important variation in these signals is known as atrial fibrillation.  In this disorder, the signals in the atria become chaotic and only at irregular periods succeed in stimulating the heart muscles to full contraction.  This chaotic behavior severely limits the  ability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs.

Atrial Fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in small animals (14%  of all canine arrhythmias).  Left untreated it can cause important changes in the functionality of the heart.  Atrial fibrillation may be caused by underlying heart disease, it may occur due to non-cardiac disease or anesthesia or it may be idiopathic in some large breed dogs.

Treatment requires management of the underlying problem and slowing the heart sufficiently to allow time for the chambers to fill, thus permitting the heart to pump more effectively.  If diagnosed with this disease, your pet may be given medications to reduce the risk of a blood clot caused by the slower movement of blood through the heart chambers.

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Bulger Veterinary Hospital
978-725-5544 | 141 Winthrop Ave. Lawrence, MA 01843
  • 24-HR ER: 978-725-5544
  • Our Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Anesthesia & Pain Management
    • Cardiology
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency/Critical Care
    • Exotics
    • Internal Medicine
    • Ophthalmology
    • Surgery
    • Primary Pet Care
      • Kitten Kit
      • Puppy Pack
      • Elder Pet Care
    • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
    • Curbside Emergency Care
    • Emergencies + Appointments
    • Client Portal
    • When Your Pet is a Patient
    • Pet Insurance
    • Payment Options
    • Online Store
    • End of Life Arrangements
    • Clinical Studies
  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Referral Forms and Portal
    • At a Glance
    • Ethos Materials for Clinics
    • Continuing Education
    • VetBloom CE
    • Clinical Studies
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • About Us
    • Our Hospital
    • Our Team
    • Giving Back
    • Why Ethos
    • Ethos Discovery
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
  • Blogs & Videos
    • Our Blogs
    • PAWEDcasts
  • We’re Hiring!
    • Apply Today
    • Ethos Job Fairs
    • Benefits and Perks
    • Veterinary Training Programs
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