In ICU with 3rd degree AV block

I'm typing this on my phone outside the hospital. We brought my 14 year old in for a dental. Yesterday he had a cardiology, dental, and internal medicine consult. It was determined that he had a first degree AV block but Cardiology said the risk of going under anesthesia was low. I got a call about 2 hours ago that Nate has developed a 3rd degree AV block, he was given medication, they stopped the procedure, and he was brought out of anesthesia. When I spoke to the doctor last he had woken up and was being monitored in ICU. My partner is in there now waiting for an update. I'm in the car with our other older cat who came with us and I'm trying to get a hold of my emotions, basically. Has anyone ever gone through this? What do I need to know? The doctor(dental) said that he should return to a first degree block. My partner just talked to someone with cardiology and she said he might return to a first degree block since it was anesthesia induced. They've repeated an EKG and he's going to have an echo.

I don't really know anything about it, but just sending some vibes that he DID return to the first degree block and is going to be ok. 

Thank you.  This has been a nightmare but he is currently home and doing well.  He, unfortunately, did not return to a first degree block.  The head cardiologist has never seen this happen before so she said she can't rule out the possibility of it returning to a first degree block.  He's having another EKG 1-2 weeks from now to see if it's still a 3rd degree block.  Needless to say, I really hope there's a positive change but the cardiologist did say many cats never experience complications even with a 3rd degree block and live normal, happy lives without needing a pacemaker.  I'll be talking to his former cardiologist back home on Tuesday for her input.

Wow, and I know you were concerned about all this, that's why you were willing to drive the 5 1/2 hours to a facility where they had a cardiologist, etc. on board.  Thank goodness! 

So, having to stop the procedure before it was finished, did they get enough done that he won't need to have anymore done?  Dental, culture, can't recall what else?

Glad he is home and doing well. 

that it goes back to first degree

Yes, I was very concerned. I'm always extra cautious when it comes to him, especially given his history. I don't know that this would have happened on a different day, at a different place, etc but I'm grateful that he was there when it happened rather than at a local vet, hours away from an ER.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to have anything done aside from dental xrays and a nasal flush while under anesthesia. I think he was only under for less than 20 minutes before cardiology told them to stop and they called me. He did have.. let's see.. a few EKGs, an echocardiogram, extensive bloodwork, consultations with three departments, and I think that's it. I'm very disappointed that nothing was done for his dental concerns but I'll be looking into other options for him. Also, internal medicine confirmed that he could just have the culture/sensitivity test done at his regular vet office while fully awake. They said they never recommend the test for various reasons(inconclusive results, etc..they explained it all pretty thoroughly) but we're still going to have it done once things settle down.

Right now my focus is on keeping his stress low and giving him food/supplements for overall heart health. I'll be elated if he goes back to a first degree block but I imagine he will not be able to go under anesthesia again.

It's been a heartbreaking experience, I really wanted to do this for him, but he's his usual happy self today despite everything. Thanks for the positive vibes.