How to measure blood pressure in a cat. Tonometry of cats in veterinary practice

Hypertension in cats is an abnormal increase in blood pressure. Previously, this disease was not diagnosed and was not considered a serious problem for the health of the cat, but with the development of methods for measuring blood pressure in animals and with an increase medium duration In the life of cats, this disease began to play a leading role in the histories of diseases of cats of middle and old age. At the same time, no gender or breed predisposition to hypertension in cats has been identified.

Causes of Hypertension in Cats

There are various reasons for the development of hypertension in cats, here are the main ones:

• CRF (chronic renal failure). To compensate for the function of damaged kidney nephrons, blood pressure rises to increase the volume of blood for filtration.
• Hyperthyroidism is a functional disorder of the thyroid gland, in which the synthesis of hormones is increased. This leads to an acceleration of metabolism. As a result, the heartbeat increases and increases, and as a result, the heart adds in size, which leads to an increase in blood pressure.
• Heart failure
• Diabetes
• other reasons

Symptoms of hypertension in cats

The organs that are at risk when hypertension occurs in cats are:

Eyes. With an increase in blood pressure, hemorrhages are possible in vitreous body and into the anterior chamber of the eye. Often one eye is affected more than the other. In addition, small hemorrhages, edema and detachment are noted in the retina. Often there are degenerative foci. Vision is impaired, up to the development of blindness, often irreversible.

Nervous system and brain. Hypertension in cats causes disturbances in the vestibular apparatus, this is manifested strange behavior animal, change in gait (shaky and lethargic), convulsions, paresis, paralysis. Since the nervous system is saturated with small blood vessels, in cats with hypertension, this system often suffers, including the brain.

The cardiovascular system. Hypertensive cats have heart murmurs and increased heart rate. Less commonly, there may be manifestations of arrhythmia and shortness of breath. All this is exacerbated by cardiovascular disease, since it is unlikely that hypertension is the root cause of heart failure. On x-ray examination, hypertension in cats can be manifested by enlargement of the heart, in particular the left ventricle.

kidneys. Hypertension in cats causes problems with the normal functioning of the kidneys.

General clinical picture with hypertension in cats, it is very blurred, at the initial stage it is impossible to observe the specific signs of this disease. Then comes the moment when hemorrhages appear in the eyes, reaching retinal detachment, and the excited owners turn to the veterinarian about the blindness of their pet.

Accordingly, it is necessary to monitor the behavior of your pets more closely. With the appearance of the above primary signs, it is important to be aware of possible hypertension in cats. In addition, cat owners should be alerted by their depressed, lethargic and withdrawn behavior.

Diagnosis of hypertension in cats

Diagnosis of hypertension in cats, like other diseases, is carried out in a complex manner. Regular measurement of blood pressure is important. For this, equipment is used very similar to that used for people. The cuff is worn on the cat's paw or tail. It is taken into account in the diagnosis and the fact that hypertension affects the eyes of cats. A veterinarian pays attention to the blood vessels of the fundus and retina, and even in the initial stages of this disease, a specialist can detect pathological changes in them. In advanced and severe cases of hypertension in cats, retinal detachment and hemorrhages in the eye can often be found. Rarely, pathology is noted in one eye, more often both eyes are affected at once.

In the city veterinary oncological center "Pride" there is a highly qualified specialized specialist - an ophthalmologist. His professionalism is confirmed by many diplomas, certificates and cured patients. And high-precision and modern equipment for eye examination allows you to quickly and correctly make the correct diagnosis and immediately begin treatment.

When measuring blood pressure, it is important to take into account the fact that cats can be nervous and frightened by the manipulation. Accordingly, the blood pressure readings will be incorrect. In this regard, the diagnosis will be erroneous, and subsequent treatment may also not give the desired result. Therefore, it is useful to give the cat time to adjust to the environment where the blood pressure measurement will be taken.

Treatment of hypertension in cats

Treatment, like diagnosis, is complex. Due to the fact that hypertension is only a consequence of the underlying disease, after the primary treatment aimed at reducing pressure with the help of modern medicines, it is necessary to proceed to the second direction. Veterinarians of the city veterinary oncological center "Pride", attending international veterinary conferences and congresses, monitor latest trends treatment of diseases and the development of new drugs.

The second direction of treatment is the elimination of the underlying disease. In some cases, when it is removed, the pressure normalizes and the problem of hypertension in cats disappears. It is necessary to carefully monitor those organs that were affected by increasing pressure.

Prognosis for hypertension in cats

As the saying goes, prevention is the best cure. If you follow this rule, then you need regular visits to your pet veterinarian. It is best to do this in those clinics where there is modern equipment that meets the latest global trends and, of course, professional veterinary specialists. All this is in the city veterinary oncological center "Pride".

It is recommended for cats over 7 years of age to carry out periodic pressure measurements. This will allow you to notice the onset of the disease in time and give a chance to stop the pathological process due to timely treatment. During this manipulation, cats do not experience any discomfort and calmly endure this procedure.

The prognosis for hypertension directly depends on the responsibility of the owner to his pet, who can notice the initial stage of the disease in time, or conduct regular preventive visits to the veterinarian. Thanks to this, you can avoid the occurrence of the disease, or count on a positive prognosis if hypertension occurs in cats.

In the Constellation Veterinary Center you can measure the pressure of a cat, dog and even a rodent. Pressure measurement is carried out with a special veterinary tonometer. You can take a measurement at any time, the veterinary clinic is open around the clock.

Blood pressure in dogs and cats

Everyone knows that blood pressure indicators are extremely important for our health. Medical doctors recommend regularly measuring it and taking action in case of deviation from the norm.

How important is blood pressure measurement in cats and dogs?

It is believed that cats and dogs are not subjected to the stress that their owners experience, usually their food does not contain a lot of salt and is not as fatty as ours. Why can dogs and cats have high pressure?

In fact, high blood pressure (hypertension) is much more common in dogs and cats than we are used to thinking.

In humans, primary hypertension is most common, for example, due to changes in the weather, i.e. not caused by any disease. In cats and dogs, hypertension is more likely to develop secondary hypertension that appears against the background of another disease.

What is the normal blood pressure for dogs and cats?

A person has a normal blood pressure of 120 over 80, which means a systolic pressure of 120 mmHg (mmHg) and a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg. rt st. Systolic pressure shows the highest blood pressure in the body, while diastolic pressure is the lowest during a heartbeat.

Blood pressure in dogs varies depending on their size. The larger the animal, the higher the performance will be. It should also be borne in mind that the table shows the indications for the animal at rest. If the dog was stressed before the pressure measurement, the pressure will be higher. Also, the stress caused by visiting the veterinary clinic can affect the readings.

Normal blood pressure in dogs

Normal blood pressure in cats

Why is it necessary to measure blood pressure in dogs and cats?

When a dog or cat develops hypertension (high blood pressure), the vessels become very narrow and cannot pump the required amount of blood. As an example - if you connect an ordinary fire hydrant to a fire hydrant watering hose it will squirm under pressure and may even burst. The same thing happens with blood vessels.

As a rule, the affected vessels in pets are small, so bleeding and lack of blood in the area being fed may not be noticeable for a long time until the problem becomes too big. The same thing happens in humans - it is not for nothing that hypertension is called the “silent killer”.

What can happen to a cat or dog with high blood pressure?

Hypertensive dogs and cats have an increased risk of damage to internal organs. Quite often, the eyes are affected, which can lead to sudden or gradual blindness in a dog or cat. The owner can detect damage by dilated pupils that do not respond to light or when the pet stops noticing obstacles, “bumping” into them.

The kidneys, liver and brain are also affected by high blood pressure: kidney problems increase, heart failure occurs, and the risk of a heart attack increases.

There are a number of conditions associated with high blood pressure in dogs and cats:

• Chronic renal failure
• Cushing's disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Heart diseases
• Hyperthyroidism (cats)

When should dogs and cats have their blood pressure taken?

If the dog has the above problems, if there are problems with vision or nervous system It is recommended that you check your blood pressure regularly.

Older animals are advised to measure the pressure when clarifying any diagnosis.

How to measure the pressure of a dog or cat?

Conventional blood pressure monitors (tonometers) are not suitable for dogs and cats. The fact is that often the size of animals and the coat do not allow the use of tonometers used in human medicine. Even blood pressure monitors specifically designed to measure pressure in infants are not suitable for cats and dogs.

To measure pressure in dogs and cats, we use a special veterinary tonometer PetMap Graphic II. This tonometer is specially designed for animals. A set of cuffs allows you to measure pressure and heart rate (pulse) in both the smallest kittens and puppies, and large dogs with long hair.

Tonometer for dogs and cats measures blood pressure with high accuracy (±2 mmHg) in the following ranges:

• systolic 40–265 mm. rt. Art.
• diastolic 25-195 mm. rt. Art.

Also, the tonometer measures the heart rate in the range from 40 to 220 beats per minute.

What should I do if my cat or dog has high blood pressure?

Depending on the severity of the condition, the type of animal and associated diseases, the veterinarian will prescribe a drug intended for the treatment of hypertension in animals.

It is important to remember that in pets, high blood pressure is often the cause of other diseases, simply lowering it usually does not lead to a solution to the problem as a whole. That is why a full-fledged diagnosis of the animal's condition is necessary, where pressure measurement is only one of the procedures.

USING THE NEW GENERATION pETmAP GRAPHIC 2 TONOMETER WITH ENLARGED GRAPHIC DISPLAY.

Measurement of blood pressure in dogs and cats is an extremely important diagnostic procedure.

Normal blood pressure of dogs and cats - the pressure that blood exerts on the arterial walls - is one of the most important signs of the full functioning of the body. It is determined by the frequency and strength of heart contractions, the volume of circulating blood, as well as the resistance of the vessel wall. Distinguish between systolic (maximum) and diastolic (minimum) pressure.

Low blood pressure is called hypotension, and high blood pressure is called hypertension. Both conditions are pathological and lead to disruption of organs and tissues.

Arterial hypertension in dogs and cats is always secondary, and occurs in a number of pathologies that must be diagnosed. Most common causes increased blood pressure in dogs and cats - chronic and acute kidney disease, obesity, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, Cushing's syndrome.

The use of certain drugs can lead to an increase in blood pressure (glucocorticoids, erythropoietins, sodium chloride, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). When prescribing such drugs, it is desirable to control pressure, especially in animals at risk.

It is extremely important to understand that early signs of hypertension in dogs and cats are very mild and non-specific. The owners often attribute them to age or underlying disease. Arterial hypertension in cats can be manifested by lethargy of the animal, a decrease or increase in appetite, increased sensitivity to light (frequent blinking in the light).

Left untreated, hypertension in dogs and cats can lead to damage to various organs. Particularly often affected are organs such as the brain, kidneys, heart, blood vessels and retina.

With persistent hypertension, the heart works under conditions of increased stress. This leads to the fact that the heart muscle thickens, loses its elasticity, connective tissue begins to grow between the fibers of the muscle tissue. There are irreversible changes in the heart muscle, which leads to heart failure. Undiagnosed hypertension in cats can lead to the development of congestive heart failure, against the background of infusion therapy - in this case, heart failure is not a cause, but a consequence of hypertension.

Arterial hypertension in dogs and cats

Arterial hypertension in dogs and cats can be the cause of brain damage - hypertensive encephalopathy. This pathology often develops with a sharp increase in blood pressure or with a long-term value of systolic pressure above 180 mm Hg. Manifested by convulsions, lethargy, impaired coordination and balance, etc. Hemorrhages are possible.

Arterial hypertension in dogs and cats and the accompanying arteriosclerotic changes pose a great threat to the proper functioning of the kidney vessels, as a result of which the filtration capacity of the kidneys is impaired, which in turn leads to life-threatening pathologies. On the other hand, renal insufficiency can provoke arterial hypertension, which in turn leads to a deterioration in the state of the body.

Retinal damage due to high blood pressure - hypertensive retinopathy - usually develops at systolic pressures greater than 168 mmHg (risk increases significantly above 180 mmHg) - occurs in both cats and dogs, in almost 100% of cats with hypertension. Most often, it manifests itself as retinal detachment in cats and dogs, as well as retinal hemorrhages, retinal edema, etc. Sudden loss of vision is possible in both dogs and cats, and even successful treatment of hypertension does not always lead to restoration of vision.

Vascular involvement in hypertension in dogs and cats often presents with epistaxis. The risk of thromboembolism (blockage of blood vessels by blood clots) also increases. Due to insufficient blood circulation, hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of organs and tissues develops.

If the underlying disease is not identified and its treatment is not started, then the likelihood of developing persistent arterial hypertension is high, which in turn leads to serious disturbances in the functioning of the organs. It must be borne in mind that if hypertension has already developed, then if it is not treated, hypertension in dogs and cats can persist and even progress even with successful treatment of the primary disease.

Normal blood pressure, mm Hg.

In our clinic, when measuring pressure in dogs and cats, we use the PetMap graphic 2 tonometer. This is a compact device that allows you to measure pressure with very high accuracy even for very small patients. This tonometer has a color display and a touch screen, as well as an automatic reminder function (cyclic pressure measurement), which is especially important when carrying out surgical interventions and in the resuscitation of patients with severe injuries, when constant monitoring of vital signs is necessary. Data can be stored and transferred to an SD card.

Pressure is measured non-invasively by placing a cuff on the tail, forearm or back leg animal. Measurement of pressure in dogs and cats, with the help of this tonometer, does not cause any discomfort to the animal, is carried out by veterinarians of our clinic, both at a preventive appointment, and when a characteristic pathology is suspected.

Indications for tonometry:

1. Visual disturbances in dogs and cats with corresponding changes in the fundus.

2. Neurological abnormalities (convulsions, etc.).

3. Violation of the kidneys (proteinuria, azotemia).

4. Cardiovascular diseases in dogs and cats, nasal. bleeding

5. Diseases that can lead to hypertension.

6. Obesity in dogs and cats.

7. Screening (preventive) examination of elderly animals.

The diagnosis of "Hypertension" in dogs and cats can rarely be made on the basis of a single series of measurements. At a pressure below 150/95, treatment "for pressure" is not necessary; in a stable state, a second measurement is carried out after 3-6 months. At a pressure above 150/95, it is necessary to check if there is damage to target organs, if there are even slight signs of damage, drugs that reduce pressure are immediately prescribed, if they are not available, the pressure is re-measured after 5-7 days.

The goal of treating hypertension is to achieve blood pressure below 150/95

In recent years, problems with blood pressure have increasingly begun to haunt even very young people. No matter how unexpected this message may seem to you, these problems are not alien even to animals. In particular, the pressure in cats (high or low) is not something out of the ordinary.

Before we consider pathology, it would be useful to know its physiological significance. So, normal pressure in a cat is almost equal to human - 124/80. But! Unlike people, in whom the value of this indicator is more or less stable and the same for all peoples and races, felines can experience significant fluctuations. And not only at different breeds, but also among its various representatives.

Simply put, in order to accurately say whether your pet's blood pressure is high or low, you need to observe it for a long time and compare the measurement results in different periods. Actually, that is why the concepts of “high” and “low” in relation to cats should be treated with extreme caution: if the animal feels good, and the measurement results do not differ too much from the norm ... Then, it is quite possible that nothing needs to be done. However, if the cat’s health is still far from ideal, some measures will still have to be taken.

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And further. Most cats are extremely sensitive and vulnerable creatures. And also aggressive. Have you ever seen how a tiny, fluffy kitten turns into an angry fury who is ready to tear anyone who approaches her? Since measuring the pressure of a cat is a huge stress for him, the result will be obvious ... Naturally, the indicators will go off scale. In principle, either the owner of the animal, or the veterinarian to whom it is completely accustomed, can get more or less reliable results.

Arterial hypertension

First, consider the situation when high blood pressure is suspected in a cat. The term that describes this situation is probably familiar to everyone. Arterial hypertension . As a rule, it occurs in older cats or middle-aged cats with problems with the cardiovascular system.

Feline arterial hypertension is usually a complication of some underlying disease, since it does not develop as an independent pathology so often. However, this also happens. Very often, the presence of kidney disease leads to a similar outcome, but other diseases should not be discounted either. In particular, there is a relationship between hypertension and hyperthyroidism.

The consequences of high blood pressure

This disease has an extremely negative effect on the cat's body. And the symptoms are the same. Very often, high blood pressure hurts the eyes. A characteristic symptom is reddened, "protruding" vessels on the eyeball. In most cases, hemorrhages are easily seen without using any ophthalmic equipment. No less dangerous is hypertension for the nervous system. A rupture of blood vessels is quite likely, which is why the cat can suddenly fall into a coma, nervous attacks are often observed in affected animals, even the sudden, sudden death of your pet is quite likely.

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The heart muscle in this disease also suffers greatly. For a long time, the left ventricle experiences significant overload, which causes muscle tissue to undergo hypertrophy. If the cat's body is still young and healthy, compensatory mechanisms work, which is why there are no negative consequences. But in the case when the cat is weakened, hypertrophy cannot develop, which leads to the occurrence of congestive heart failure. There are signs of shortness of breath, pulmonary edema may occur.

High blood pressure in cats is extremely dangerous for their kidneys. Animals with this disease are approximately 40% more likely to develop acute. If the cat's kidneys were already out of order, then the course of the pathology only worsens.

Arterial hypotension

If “hyper” means a lot, then “hypo”, respectively, means “little”. That is, the term "arterial hypotension" refers to a pathological condition in which the norm of pressure is lowered. It should not be considered that this ailment is somehow better than the previous one, since side effects enough in both cases, and it is still not known which is worse: hypertension or hypotension. But! This is known only from "human" experience.

There is one caveat: if the problems with high blood pressure in cats are more or less studied (albeit very superficially), then with reduced rates, not everything is so simple. To be more precise, it is not yet clear at all whether there is a “ wild nature» low blood pressure in a cat. Of course, low pressure indicators are sometimes recorded, but ... Firstly, this can be explained by the individual characteristics of the cat. Secondly, this symptom may be due to heart problems.

Perhaps the most popular disease for discussion among the older generation is high blood pressure. And this is far from accidental, since it is precisely this pathology that doctors call the “silent killer”. Hypertension in cats also occurs, and also leads to very unpleasant consequences.

It is a medical term that is used to refer to high blood pressure. A few years ago, everyone confidently believed that this problem was characteristic exclusively for humans, but now there is information that fully confirms the existence of this pathology in our smaller brothers. Cats also suffer from high blood pressure.

This disease is divided into two types: primary and secondary. In cats, it is secondary that is common, that is, a pathology that develops under the influence of some other diseases. Primary arterial hypertension in animals is extremely rare, but its probability should not be ruled out. Scientists and veterinarians suggest that in this case we can talk about a genetically determined defect.

Very often, pressure problems occur when the animal has diseased kidneys. The most common cause is chronic renal failure. In the case when a cat has hyperthyroidism, he will certainly suffer from high blood pressure.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of hypertension in cats? There are no particularly specific signs, but high blood pressure hits various organs hard. Seeing certain changes, an experienced veterinarian will certainly be able to make the correct diagnosis. This pathology is most dangerous for the eyes. Bleeding, retinal detachment, glaucoma - this is not all the consequences. In most cases, they lead to complete or partial blindness of the animal, its disorientation in space. Any owner can notice all these manifestations.

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Of course, troubles with blood vessels also hit hard on the state of the nervous system. A cat can behave very strangely or inappropriately, walk shaky or “drunk”, in a severe course of the disease, everything can end in a coma.

How does the heart respond to increased blood pressure? Very hard. If the pathology develops according to a chronic type, hypertrophy of the heart muscle develops first. But over time, the forces of the body are no longer enough for this. Gradually, the heart weakens, dystrophic and degenerative effects develop in its tissues. In very severe cases, they lead to the development of congestive heart failure. This is expressed in shortness of breath, edema, superficial and very rapid breathing.

Considering the most important filtration function of the kidneys, one should not be surprised by their pronounced response to an increase in blood pressure. It severely damages the renal glomeruli and tubules, and therefore significantly increases the risk of developing renal failure. If the cat already had some problems with this organ, then in this case everything will become much worse.

Diagnostic measures

Many cats simply do not have any pronounced symptoms, so that pressure problems are only indirectly known. In cases where his vision suddenly disappears or deteriorates greatly. Early detection of arterial hypertension is why it is so important: only in this case there is a chance to keep the pet healthy eyes.

Some cats with hypertension appear depressed, lethargic, and withdrawn. Many breeders after the start of treatment are surprised to notice that their pets become cheerful, playful and nimble again. It is likely that cats can also experience severe headaches with this, but so far there is no official confirmation of this.

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AT without fail do blood and urine tests. This is due to the fact that this is the only way to detect hormonal problems in a timely manner.

Experienced veterinarians say that in cats older than seven years, pressure is measured for preventive purposes at least once a year, and upon reaching the age of ten, this operation is performed at least once every six months. As a rule, a separate card is created for each old cat, in which the results of blood pressure measurements are in a separate column.

And how, in fact, is it generally measured? Surprisingly, but for this it is quite possible to use any "human" blood pressure monitor purchased at the nearest pharmacy. At the same time, the cuff is attached either to the paw, or the base of the tail is wrapped around it.

Important! Animals at the same time can be very nervous, and therefore the results of a single measurement will be completely unreliable. Therefore, they try to carry out measurements in a calm, homely atmosphere, measuring pressure at least five times.

However, in modern veterinary clinics there are special devices for this purpose. They are smaller in size, and their use does not cause such a strong fear in cats. We repeat once again that the results of measurements taken during “hysterical attacks” cannot be considered reliable!

Treatment

Thus, the treatment of hypertension in cats has two main goals at once:

• First, with the help of special drugs, high blood pressure is brought down. Many remedies are available today, but the most commonly used amlodipine and benazepril.

• The primary disease is immediately identified. If it is completely eliminated, then in most cases the pressure indicators instantly return to normal.

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