Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome(WPW)
Also known as: WPW syndrome · Wolff-Parkinson-White-Syndrom · Pre-excitation syndrome · Präexzitationssyndrom · Ventrikuläre Präexzitation
Overview
What it is
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a congenital heart condition involving an abnormal extra electrical pathway in the heart. This extra pathway causes the heart's chambers to beat out of sync, leading to an abnormally rapid heart rate. Because it is purely an electrical disorder rather than a structural issue, it is diagnosed using an electrocardiogram (ECG) rather than an ultrasound of the heart.
How it presents
Owners typically notice signs like sudden weakness, shortness of breath, fainting spells, or an inability to tolerate exercise. These symptoms usually first appear in young to middle-aged dogs.
Treatment
The condition is manageable with lifelong daily medication to regulate the heart rhythm alongside regular veterinary check-ups. The expected cost for treatment and ongoing monitoring ranges from 1,500 to 6,000 EUR.
How it's tested
Affected breeds
Treatment cost
Estimated range of typical treatment cost. Actual cost depends on severity, clinic and region.
Frequently asked
What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a congenital heart condition involving an abnormal extra electrical pathway in the heart. This extra pathway causes the heart's chambers to beat out of sync, leading to an abnormally rapid heart rate. Because it is purely an electrical disorder rather than a structural issue, it is diagnosed using an electrocardiogram (ECG) rather than an ultrasound of the heart.
How is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome tested?
Various clinical and genetic tests are used depending on the breed and presentation.
Which breeds are most affected?
This condition isn't tied to a specific breed in our database.