Sinoatrial Block in a Dog and its management

A 8-year-old Spitz dog was presented with history of inappetance, cough, weakness, respiratory distress and lethargy. Electrocardiographic examination (ECG), heart rhythm was found irregular with pause indicating absence of P-QRS-T complexes. The case was tentatively diagnosed as sinus arrest or sinoatrial block. The hematological and biochemical parameters were found within normal reference ranges and cardiac specific biomarker, Troponine T qualitative test was found negative. Atropine sulphate @ 0.04 mg/kg body weight intravenously given as an immediate therapy and terbutaline @ 4mg/kg body weight orally to 2 weeks was given for long term management of the condition. The animal started responding well to the therapy adopted.