Hypertension in Cats

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

26 Jan 2009 01:10 PM

Although high blood pressure in humans can often be tied to stress, stress usually isn't a factor in cats with hypertension. Often, cats who have high blood pressure suffer from kidney disease and/or thyroid disease.

Symptoms of high blood pressure can include:

• Sudden or gradual blindness. High blood pressure can cause the retina to detach in the eye. Owners may notice that a cat has dilated pupils that do not react to the light, blood in the front of the eye, or difficulties navigating around furniture.
• Behavioral changes. A cat with hypertension may be restless or awake at odd hours. Owners may also notice unusual vocalization. These may be related to vision changes, which can be stressful or disorienting for cats. Behavioral changes may also be caused by a mini-stroke -- hypertension can cause abnormal blood flow, forming blood clots that can lodge in the brain.
• Heart murmur. In hypertension, the pressure of the blood flow is too much for the size of the blood vessel itself. When blood vessels are damaged or destroyed, the blood flow is affected.
• Symptoms of kidney problems, like increased water intake and increased urination.

If your cat is blind due to detached retinas, this is a medical emergency. In order to preserve vision, your vet will try to lower your cat's blood pressure quickly. Early detection and treatment brings a better chance of restoring some or all of a cat's vision; if the retinas remain detached for several days, chances of a return to full vision are much lower.

Usually, the first step in lowering blood pressure is medication. Amlodipine is a blood pressure medication used for humans that is often chosen for relieving blood pressure in cats.

Cats generally don't develop high blood pressure without another disease present -- most often hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. Figuring out the underlying cause can often cure blood pressure issues entirely.

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