Long-term success depends on whether or not this is possible. The long-term prognosis for a cat with cardiomyopathy is extremely variable, depending on the cause of this disease. High Blood Pressure in Cats. Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM; Ernest Ward, DVM, Veterinarian approved Heart Care products. Through the use of adequate preventative medicine high blood pressure in cats can be avoided. Therefore, the key to a successful outcome is rapid diagnosis and early administration of medication to lower blood pressure. In around 20% of cases, affected cats also have high blood pressure. If the blood pressure is not regularized, this can lead to additional health problems, the most serious being heart disease; organ failure may also be a result of increased blood pressure. Hyperthyroidism, another common senior cat health problem, can also cause high blood pressure. It can also cause the rupturing of the blood vessels in your pet’s brain. High blood pressure causes wear and tear on the circulatory system and nephrological organs. Your veterinarian will recommend the best treatment options for your cat based on her specific needs. Many cats with chronic renal failure or hyperthyroidism also have hypertension. High blood pressure can affect many organs in a cat’s body, but one of the common symptoms we see is blindness. About 65% of cats with chronic renal failure have some degree of hypertension. For example, in the case of hyperthyroid cats with high blood pressure, weight loss (in spite of a voracious appetite) and hyperactivity may be the major clinical signs. But … If they tell you to give it to your cat with food, you can place the tablet in a pill pocket treat or in your cat's meal. One study found that about 60% of cats with chronic kidney disease also had hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when your cat’s blood pressure is continually higher than normal and can affect their heart, kidneys, eyes and nervous system. It can occur suddenly, and the cat’s owners may notice strange behaviour, such as bumping into furniture, missing a door to go through or a chair to jump on. Following, your cat can develop neurologic problems, suffer from dementia or experience frequent seizures. The underlying disease that caused hypertension to develop must be cured or controlled. Most of us have heard of high blood pressure in people but probably haven’t realised that the condition can affect our feline companions too. This form of heart disease occurs when the heart muscle thickens and the volume of blood within the heart chambers becomes decreased and the pressure increases. Blood pressure is measured with a device that can detect blood flow in arteries. The vet or vet nurse will take several readings, so as to get an average figure. Hypertension is also known as a silent killer because it has no indications. The presence of a heart murmur may also signal the presence of a hypertensive state. It can also cause sudden blindness when the high blood pressure inside the eye causes the retina to detach. Recognizing and treating hypertension is a relatively recent development in veterinary medicine. Like people, cats can have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Symptoms of hypertension will depend on the underlying primary cause. It makes small blood vessels leak and break. Many organs are affected by hyperthyroidism, including the heart. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke, kidney disease, blindness (due to retinal detachment) or heart disease. If the retina(s) remain detached for more than a day or two, the prognosis is poor for a return of normal vision. In cats, hypertension is commonly found as a complication of other underlying medical conditions (so-called secondary hypertension). Histiocytoma is a Benign Skin Growth in Dogs. High blood pressure in cats without an existing underlying disease is rare and not as easily understood. . Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. These abnormalities can include dilated pupils that do not constrict with light, blood within the chamber of the eye, and blindness. Sadly, this scenario is all too common and the most likely cause in cats is. The reason cannot always be found. In addition to hemorrhage, high blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism: tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. Knowledge is power with regards to hypertension. Cats can suffer from hypertension . This condition is called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. In addition, ... [It helps] with anxiety [and] high blood pressure. Amlodipine is an effective drug used in cats with high blood pressure and is considered safe in most cases. Studies are still being done to determine which drugs are the safest and most reliable. Secondary hypertension is far more common and accounts for around 80% of all high blood pressure cases. Cats compensate for impaired vision by relying more on their remaining senses, especially smell. Although cats can live with high blood pressure for an extended period of time, low blood pressure is an indicator of a health crisis. Some of the common treatments for renal disease (such as the ACE inhibitors benazepril or enalapril) also reduce blood pressure slightly. it could save your cat’s life and you from heartache. It is essential visit a veterinarian every 6 months for check ups. High blood pressure or hypertension usually occurs as a symptom of another underlying disease such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), but it can be a standalone … Often cats will alter their activity levels to those that they can cope with, which makes it difficult to diagnose cardiomyopathy until it is quite advanced. Diagnosis of heart disease can be suspected based on clinical signs, chest X-rays, and electrocardiography (ECG). Kidney failure and hyperthyroidism have been identified as the two most common predisposing factors for development of feline hypertension. The Special Needs of the Senior Cat. Like humans, cats can also suffer from high blood pressure (known as Hypertension), a condition more frequently seen in older cats. The high pressure from the hydrant would cause the garden hose to explode. As with any scent-based training, you can never expect a dog to be 100%, but “they can have a very, very high success rate,” Ruefenacht says. Consequently, the standard blood pressure equipment used on humans will not work on cats. Glomerulonephritis, also known as glomerular nephritis (GN), is a specific type of renal (kidney) disease characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, which are the tiny structures in the kidneys that act as filters for the blood. The answer is to get her blood pressure measured. High blood pressure causes wear and tear on the heart and kidneys. High Blood Pressure in Cats – Feline Hypertension – Pet tip 238. It appears that several different mechanisms may lead to development of hypertension in cats with kidney disease. However, it can have a number of side effects in some cats. Hypertension should be suspected as a possibility in any cat with chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism or heart disease. If blood pressure is too high it can trigger problems such as organ damage (called target-organ or end-organ damage), blindness, and stroke. These include trauma, neurological problems, and high blood pressure. Diagnosis. If this happens in the eye, it can lead to blindness. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. What are the signs? The condition can be caused by other diseases, in which case it’s called secondary hypertension, or it can be the main issue itself, which is called primary hypertension. High blood pressure does not produce any outward signs so it is easy to ignore it. Video still: Doberman Blog. The most likely causes of high blood pressure, or hypertension, in cats are kidney disease and an overactive thyroid gland. Kidneys: The kidney can also be affected, as it relies on tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. high blood pressure (hypertension). In many ways, cat health care is much like our own, in that regular screenings or wellness checks help identify issues before they become a problem. Hypertension in cats can contribute to heart failure. Less blood is pumped with each heartbeat, increasing the demand for blood flow and causing an increase in blood pressure in an attempt to meet the demand. If you’re now feeling distinctly uneasy because your cat is in one of these groups (and let’s face it, a lot of cats are), what can you do to protect her? However, kidney, thyroid, and heart disease are the most common causes of feline hypertension and will be described in detail. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a relatively common but manageable condition in cats. If you believe that your cat is suffering from either high or low blood pressure symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an … However, unlike people, there is usually an underlying disease process that is causing the high blood pressure. This is because high blood pressure in cats (hypertension) is rarely a primary condition in cats. In many patients, no specific clinical signs of hypertension will be seen until the condition advances to the point where there i… It can be used on the legs or the base of the tail. Stress-related peaks in diastolic pressure (the second number in a reading) were also reduced. If left untreated, hypertension is a severe threat … Hip Dysplasia in Dogs. It is shocking and upsetting, when your cat goes from “well” to “very poorly” in the space of a few hours. Hypertension occurs most commonly in older cats and is usually associated with another illness such as chronic renal failure (kidney disease) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). If your cat's reading is high… It can also cause sudden blindness when the high blood pressure inside the eye causes the retina to detach. Clinical findings. In humans, hypertension is related to several factors, including a stressful lifestyle. It becomes a vicious cycle in which the high … It's important to be consistent because if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again. Cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe diseases of the heart muscle. Signs of high blood pressure in dogs are often incorrectly attributed to aging and not high blood pressure. Although cats can live with high blood pressure for an extended period of time, low blood pressure is an indicator of a health crisis. "Approximately 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism have high blood pressure." Causes of High Blood Pressure in Cats. They principally act to remove waste products from the blood stream, regulate the levels of certain essential minerals such potassium and sodium, conserve water, and produce urine. This makes the condition a sleeping giant because what is happening under the surface can eventually cause life-threatening damage. Causes of Hypertension. If the cat has kidney, heart, or thyroid disease, it is important to treat those conditions aggressively. Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Some of the most commonly used medications for maintenance are amlodipine and the ACE inhibitor class of drugs benazepril and enalapril. This measures the pulse of blood when the heart contracts most strongly (as opposed to ‘diastolic’ when the heart is totally relaxed). Maybe you have a high-profile job or work long hours. And happily, this isn’t an academic exercise because medication can bring down high blood pressure and protect your cat from catastrophic consequences. From the WebMD Archives. In cats, three classes of cardiomyopathy have been described: hypertrophic, dilated, and intermediate or restrictive cardiomyopathy. Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. These include inactivity, light sensitivity with frequent blinking, lethargy, increase in appetite or a decrease in appetite. So if your cat is at risk of hypertension, speak to your vet about screening. It can also occur as a primary problem in itself. And the big worry with high blood pressure is you don’t get clues something is wrong until the catastrophic happens. We’re committed to keeping clients and staff safe during COVID-19 with NEW admittance and check-out processes. The Health Risks of High Blood Pressure in Felines. Hypercalcemia in Dogs and Cats. Cats have twenty-four vibrissae or whiskers which send information to their barrel cortex (similar to the visual cortex of the brain). Measuring Human Blood Pressure. Sometimes the cause is primary and not due to another condition, but this is much less common. When the kidney shrinks, it is harder for the blood to filter through it. Despite their laid-back attitude, many senior cats have high blood pressure. High blood pressure in cats also manifests itself differently than it does in people, who are generally primarily at risk of a stroke or a heart attack. Permethrin Poisoning in Cats: What You Need to Know, Cat Scooting: What it Means and What to Do. The breathing rate may also be faster than normal, at over 30 per minute. Feline high blood pressure or hypertension can be a dangerous problem for your cat’s health. Then one morning she seems confused, disorientated, and bumps into the shopping bag on the kitchen floor. Catching rising blood pressure early can … The measurement used to judge whether or not medication is needed is something called the ‘systolic’ pressure. The increased pumping pressure leads to high blood pressure. It can be used on the legs or the base of the tail. As hypertension is often seen as an effect of other diseases, cats with hypertension may be showing signs attributable to their underlying problem. In cases where an underlying cause of the heart disease is found, then treatment of this condition may result in improvement or reversal of the heart disease. If the blood pressure is borderline or there’s a concern about stress-induced hypertension (rather than true raised blood pressure) then the readings should be repeated in 2 – 4 weeks’ time. Obtaining an accurate blood pressure measurement on cats can be challenging. Seek urgent veterinary attention if your older cat shows any of these signs. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable, but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems long-term. Cats High Blood Pressure Symptoms And Treatments Symptoms. . You thought you were the only one in the family with high blood pressure? Hypertension is a cause of sudden-onset blindness or … Certain heart diseases can also cause hypertension. But there are steps you can take to screen your cat for hypertension. Cats can suffer from hypertension, too, even though they often show no obvious clinical signs. Why Cats Can Sense Things We Can't. Hypertension in cats can contribute to heart failure. In humans, hypertension is related to several factors, including a stressful lifestyle. If you’ve had your blood pressure measured at the doctor, you’ll be familiar with what happens at the vets. Hyperthyroidism is a disorder characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormone and a subsequent increase in the metabolic rate. High blood pressure in cats can have a sudden impact even when their owners thought they were fit and healthy. For cats with an underlying condition, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, then stabilizing these problems goes a long way to getting blood pressure back down. High blood pressure can lead to kidney injuries or worsening of an underlying kidney condition. If you believe that your cat is suffering from either high or low blood pressure symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. It has a meditative quality, which has extremely positive health ramifications.” Other studies, too, have illuminated the benefits of having a cat by your side. However, even those conditions can be managed successfully in many cats. Left untreated, high blood pressure can affect the heart, eyes, kidneys and brain. By working out if your cat is in an ‘at risk’ group, you are in a strong position to take steps to identify it and take protective action. She has four cats that keep her busy opening doors on demand. A cat is generally thought to be hypertensive when its systolic blood pressure is above 160mm Hg. Hot Spots in Dogs and Cats. In some cases, hypertension is suspected because of a heart murmur or liver- or kidney-related clinical signs such as increased water intake or urination, vomiting, and weight loss. Older cats seem to be more prone to hypertension, though cats of all ages develop this condition. In cats, high blood pressure – known as hypertension – usually occurs as a result of another underlying disease. Updated 10 October 2020 By Dr Pippa Elliott 1 Comment. Approximately 25% of cats with hyperthyroidism have high blood pressure, although most of them do not have blood pressures high enough to cause blindness. . Hypertension raises blood pressure throughout your cat’s body. If this occurs in the eye, it can point to blindness. Hyperthyroidism is curable, as is thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy secondary to hyperthyroidism. The brokers who owned pets also had stress-related rises in blood pressure, but these rises were only half as high as those seen in the petless group. Although any cat can suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) it is most commonly seen in middle aged or senior cats. In most cases however, a diagnosis of secondary hypertension is made, meaning that the cat's high blood pressure indicates another underlying primary disease. Reply; Eva Burnett June 6, 2016 at 10:47 am (5 years ago) I am trying to get some info. The kidneys have many functions. The condition can be dangerous in itself, responsible for a variety of disorders adversely affecting, for example, a cat’s eyesight, kidney activity, or cardiac function. Ideally, a cat's systolic pressure is below 150, according to Manhattan Cat Specialists. Cats with hypertension generally have complications with their vision, causing swelling and retinal detachment, or the kidneys, making it more difficult for the kidney to effectively filter out waste. If it happens in the brain, it can lead to a stroke. When a blood vessel is too small for the pressure on it, it can "explode," causing internal bleeding. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the simple blood pressure measurement protocol they recommend for your cat. Symptoms: Most cats with high blood pressure will be asymptomatic and the condition is often diagnosed during a routine examination. It can cause small blood vessels to leak and rupture. However, unlike people, there is usually an underlying disease process that is causing the high blood pressure. Suggests that it could save your cat areas affected is the delicate vasculature of the hypertensive may... Primary and not due to detached retinas, an immediate medical emergency exists offer regular routine screening of feet. 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