Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter in Dogs and its management.

Thirty dogs with unexplained illness and weakness, negative for blood protozoan and/or rickettsial parasites were found suffering from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter. Normal sinus 'P' wave was replaced by coarse or fine 'f" waves or comparatively large oscillations. There was no evidence of atrial or ventricular enlargement in any dog. Treatment was initiated with quinidine @ 6.0 mg/kg PO BID for 72 hours and dogs showing response were continued on quinidine @ 6.0 mg/kg PO BID for 6-8 months. Cases which failed to show conversion to normal sinus rhythm on quinidine in 72 hour were treated by digoxin @ 0.006 mg/kg PO BID for 2 to 4 days and unresponsive dogs were switched to verapamil @ 2mg/kg PO TID. The therapy continued for 6-8 months. Out of 30 dogs, 8 could not survive for more than 60-80 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]