Use of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation for treatment of refractory ventricular arrhythmias in two dogs

Two dogs were referred to the same institution 4 months apart for cardiac evaluation due to respiratory symptoms and both were diagnosed with ventricular arrhythmias at the time of presentation. Case 1, an 11‐year‐old, male, neutered labrador retriever was diagnosed with degenerative valve disease, resulting in left‐sided congestive heart failure in addition to moderate severity ventricular arrhythmias. Case 2, an 8‐year‐old, female, spayed English bulldog was diagnosed with mild degenerative valve disease and moderate ventricular arrhythmias while receiving subtherapeutic sotalol that was initiated by another veterinarian before presentation. For both cases, antiarrhythmic therapy was adjusted several times over the course of several months based on Holter monitor results indicating inadequate arrhythmia control. Treatment included sotalol, mexiletine, amiodarone or a combination of these. The addition of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation in both cases finally resulted in adequate arrhythmia control when previous antiarrhythmic medication adjustments had not.