arrhythmia in cats - would appreciate any info!

[Gwen and Morris]

I took Morris to the vet yesterday for his yearly checkup. During the exam, my vet discovered Morris has a slight arrhythmia! The first time she was checking his heart rate, she heard this arrhythmia twice. When she went back to listen to his heart again later during the exam, she could not hear it all. I really doubt that my hubbb is going to be willing to spend the $$ to send Morris to see a cardiologist (plus the added time & expense of taking a ferry over to mainland to get to the closest cardiologist!). Morris is also in desperate need of having a dental done, but apparently things can go wrong with cats that have an arrhythmia & are put out for surgery! It sounds like my vet would be willing to do his dental (providing his labwork is still fine), but wants me to know there are risks with putting him under now that he has an arrhythmia. I would appreciate any feedback/info anyone has to offer!

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Hope went to the IM specialist for a full checkup over 3 years ago and she also heard a weird beat. She took her to the ER vet and she also heard it. Just an extra beep there. Went to Cardiologist and had echo and ekg done and she was dx'd with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. We caught it early, she was put on heart meds and three years later she is doing great. She still has the RCM but it has never gotten worse. She is also a major risk for having a dental done. If you can afford to do it, I would push for the cardiologist and find out if she has one of the cardiomyopathy issues and get him on heart meds.