hypertension in cats

Do Animals get Hypertension?

People are not the only ones who can suffer from Hypertension. If you have a pet such as a dog or cat, they can also develop the condition. In people Hypertension can happen on its own, while in animals it usually is secondary, being caused by other health problems.

It is not always common to azada ancient sites have the pet’s blood pressure checked when visiting the vet. One of the reasons is because it is difficult to measure the blood pressure. New technologies are such as mini cuffs are being used. They can fit around the dog or cats’ leg or even its tail. Since the animal can be excited or stressed while at the vet, their blood pressure levels can be shown as not normal. To avoid misdiagnosis, the vet will usually measure the blood pressure at a few different visits. A normal blood pressure for a dog is usually 140/83, and 120/82 in cats. This can vary in breeds and sizes of the animals. Larger dogs tend to have lower blood pressure.

As the same with people, weight and age also can cause High Blood Pressure in animals. A symptom that can make the vet aware of the animal having Hypertension is acute blindness. An eye exam is very important if Hypertension is a possibility. Since in animals Hypertension is usually caused by another health issue other screenings should be done. If the animal has kidney failure, it can be treated which often times will help the blood pressure levels return to normal.

Treating the animal is somewhat the same with people. Weight loss and exercise can help. The best way to treat Hypertension in the animal is by medications such as Diuretics. ACE Inhibitors are a group of medications that have been shown to greatly treat Hypertension, especially in dogs. Cats can benefit from Beta Blockers. It is best to talk with your pet’s vet to find the right treatment plan.

Testing blood pressure in animals is becoming more common in vets. Doing so will help the pets stay healthy and live longer, which does not just benefit them, it benefits you also because you will have more time to cherish with your beloved pet.

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hypertension in cats