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A four‐and‐a‐half‐year‐old neutered male shorthair cat was presented with a three‐week history of episodic fainting. Twenty‐four hour electrocardiographic (Holter) recording revealed frequent prolonged episodes of complete atrioventricular (AV) block with ventricular standstill. The fainting episodes coincided with the longest periods of ventricular inactivity. A permanent transjugular pacemaker was placed to prevent further life‐threatening episodes of syncope. Three months after discharge, the patient was re‐presented with sudden onset dyspnoea associated with chylothorax and electrocardiography showed a third degree (complete) AV block. The pacemaker was reprogrammed in view of the third degree AV block and the chylous effusion was successfully treated by repeated thoracocentesis and long‐term diuresis. However, the patient's general condition deteriorated progressively and the cat was …