Inherited arrhythmias in the dog: potential experimental models of cardiacdisease

Centuries of inbreeding the domestic dog has resulted in numerous spontaneo us breed-specific and familial diseases of all body systems [1]. Although f ew animal models of spontaneous arrhythmic death exists [2] veterinary card iologists have recognized potentially inherited arrhythmias in the dog for years. The purpose of this paper is to describe the proven inherited, and t he likely inherited, arrhythmias diagnosed commonly in the dog with the int ent to provide information of potential models for investigation of primary arrhythmias. Additionally, examples of common arrhythmias that are seconda ry to inherited cardiac disease in the dog will be provided. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.