Is your cat agitated due to high blood pressure?
Did you know that just like human beings, cats can also develop high blood pressure? While there can be many causes behind it, high BP in cats mostly occurs as a secondary condition triggered by underlying diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it’s important to identify a cat suffering from high blood pressure in its early stages. The vital organs of your body could be at risk due to high blood pressure. This includes eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain, which are most at risk from the condition.
While checking the blood pressure in humans is utterly straightforward, it is not always as simple with cats. It is because cats have a natural tendency to get stressed and anxious during veterinary visits; it is often challenging to ascertain the true indication of the metric.
Is Your Cat Suffering from High Blood Pressure? Know the Signs Before It’s Too Late
High blood pressure, or hypertension, in cats is more common than many pet owners realise, and it often goes undetected until it causes serious damage. Your cat may be suffering silently without obvious signs, making early detection and regular check-ups crucial. If you’re concerned, consult with us about checking your cat’s blood pressure. We can help assess the risk and take preventive measures before complications arise. Once hypertension begins to show visible symptoms, it often indicates a more advanced stage of the condition. Here are some signs to watch for:
– Eyes: Sudden blindness is a key indicator. You may also notice visible changes in the eyes, such as dilated pupils, blood within the eye, or retinal detachment.
– Seizures: High blood pressure can affect the brain, potentially leading to seizures or tremors.
– Disorientation: Your cat may appear confused, have trouble walking straight, or bump into objects.
– Unexplained agitation: Behavioural changes like restlessness, vocalising more than usual, or being unusually irritable may be a sign something’s wrong.
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms or simply want peace of mind, book an appointment with us today. Early diagnosis and management can significantly improve your cat’s quality of life.
Diagnosing Your Cat’s Hypertension
Our highly qualified and experienced vets will thoroughly examine your cat’s condition. Be aware that the diagnosis involves cuffing your cat’s leg or tail to check blood pressure. Don’t worry, we take the best measures to calm and pacify your cat’s anxiety, while you can be present throughout the process. Standard blood tests and urinalysis might be done. Moreover, it may be necessary to take blood pressure readings for a period suggested by your vet to ensure that the correct condition data is fed into your cat’s diagnosis.
What’s Involved in Arterial Hypertension Treatment for Cats
If it is found that your cat has developed high blood pressure as a result of an underlying condition, our vet’s first course of action would be to address the underlying condition. These could be conditions such as feline hyperthyroidism or kidney or heart disease, among others. When an underlying condition is long-term, your vet may prescribe lifelong medications to keep the condition under control and thus control your cat’s blood pressure. If your cat’s blood pressure is critically high, the treatment approach may need to be reversed. Because addressing the underlying condition first could pose further risk, the vet will focus on lowering the blood pressure as a priority to manage the immediate threat to your cat’s health.
Treatment of hypertension in felines is usually managed with oral medications and regular monitoring of blood pressure levels. Along with medications, your cat will benefit from a low-sodium diet, avoiding a high salt content. If you’re concerned that your cat has high blood pressure, don’t wait to get it checked right away. Call us today to book an appointment.
