Hypertension

A Silent Threat to Animals Too

BY: Michael Lamping, DVM

             Long billed as a "silent killer" in humans due its insidious onset, veterinarians have become increasingly aware that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is an important concern in pets as well.  Like humans, pets may progress in their hypertension without obvious symptoms until a major health crisis arises, such as a bloody nose, sudden blindness due to retinal detachment, or a seizure.  Less serious symptoms are lethargy and behavior changes such as vocalizing or withdrawing from normal activity.

I remember seeing one cat that kept its owner awake at night with its howling.  We were able to identify that the cat had high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism.  In treating the thyroid condition we also lowered the blood pressure.

            Recent studies indicate that up to 85% of cats with hyperthyroidism (a disorder of overactive thyroid glands) have secondary hypertension as well.  It also occurs over 50% of the time in cats with heartworm disease and Cushing's syndrome in dogs.  Sometimes it occurs without an underlying cause in older cats.  Other conditions associated with hypertension are kidney failure, heart disease, and obesity.  That should sound similar to the list of conditions which put people at risk.  Though I do recommend that affected pets use medication and start a low salt diet, at least I don't have to convince my cat and dog patients to lower their cholesterol, stop smoking, or change their high stress lifestyle. 

            Veterinarians rely on the observations of pet owners to aid in discerning the animal's health status and directing the diagnostic plan.  However, high blood pressure can creep up without warning.  Therefore, as in human medicine, in which people get their blood pressure measured every time they visit the physician, obstetrician, dentist, and ophthalmologist, animals can receive blood pressure measurement as part of their wellness examination.  Using tools and methods such as one would see at a pediatrician's office, the caretakers at Murphy Road Animal Hospital can assess your pet's blood pressure with one unique twist we can choose to put the cuff on their tail instead of their arm.