Hypertension

Hypertension Is a constant elevation in blood pressure also known as high blood pressure. It is an insidious disease which may cause heart disease and serious eye problems, often blindness.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypertension include sudden blindness, excessive vocalization, weight loss and lethargy. However, high blood pressure is most often present with no symptoms, as is often the case with people.

Probable Causes

Elevations in blood pressure can occur as a result of other serious medical problems. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the cause of hypertension and treat it as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

We use a battery of tests to diagnose underlying causes of hypertension. Heart disease, thyroid disease and kidney disease are possible causes of hypertension, while liver or kidney malfunctions and eye problems are among the possible results of untreated high blood pressure. Medical tests, including blood chemistry analysis, an echocardiogram or an ultrasound help to determine whether your cat's internal organs are functioning within normal limits and whether the hypertension is a result of the disease process or the cause of a medical problem.

Recent advances in veterinary medical technology have made it possible to measure blood pressure in smaller patients. Here at The Cat Doctor we use a flat Dopple probe to measure blood pressure. Normally we measure your cat's blood pressure on her leg. After we locate her pulse, we tape a sensor into place. We then position and inflate the small blood pressure cuff, note and record the result. It's often necessary that we shave the fur from a small area on the leg to obtain an accurate measurement. We take several measurements and use their average as your cat's starting point. We may ask you to stay with your cat in a quiet area of the clinic for 10 to 15 minutes. This quiet period for adjustment often facilitates a more accurate reading.

Treatment

Depending on the blood pressure measurements and the results of the blood tests, we may prescribe medication. If we place your cat on medication, we monitor its effectiveness by regularly measuring her blood pressure. We may issue additional blood tests to evaluate kidney or thyroid function while the blood pressure is returning to normal. Once your cat's blood pressure has been stabilized to normal values, we will schedule periodic appointments with you to re-evaluate kidney function and blood pressure. Normally we like to re-examine high blood pressure patients every 3 months. Please be aware that pre-existing abnormalities in either the heart or the kidneys are likely to affect possible treatments.

Prevention

We recommend regular screening of all cats over the age of 10 years. If your cat suffers from hypertension, early diagnosis is very important to successful treatment and the prevention of permanent damage.