| Abstrakt: |
Arterial hypertension in cats appears to be an often underdiagnosed problem. Sudden disturbances of vision caused by intraocular haemorrhage and/or detached retina are often related to hypertension. The ability to measure blood pressure routinely in cats, by using an indirect method, has increased knowledge of feline hypertension in recent years. In cats mainly secondary hypertension is described, caused by as a consequence of renal disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic anaemia, primary aldosteronism, and a high-salt diet. This article describes the (patho) physiology of blood pressure control, the different methods of blood pressure measurements and the causes, clinical manifestations, and possibilities of antihypertensive therapy. Given our current knowledge, blood pressure should be measured regularly in older cats (> 10 years), especially in those with renal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or visual disturbances of unknown origin. Blood pressure measurements using the Doppler method is a relatively cheaply, quick and simple, method with enough reliability. Hence this method should be incorporated in veterinary practice. |
