Systemic hypertension is a sustained rise in systolic blood pressure (SBP) high enough to damage the eyes, brain, kidneys and heart. In cats it is usually secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hyperthyroidism and is often silent until the cat suddenly goes blind. The NAVLE expects you to measure blood pressure properly, classify it, recognize target organ damage (TOD) and reach for amlodipine first.
Key facts
Hypertension at a glance- Species and system: cat; cardiovascular, with damage to eye, brain, kidney and heart.
- Definition (ACVIM 2018): based on SBP: under 140 mm Hg normotensive, 140-159 prehypertensive, 160-179 hypertensive, 180 or more severely hypertensive.
- Cause: mostly secondary: CKD, hyperthyroidism, primary hyperaldosteronism and some drugs. About 13-20% of hypertensive cats have no cause found (idiopathic).
- Classic presentation: older cat with acute bilateral blindness, dilated unresponsive pupils and bullous retinal detachments.
- First drug: amlodipine; telmisartan is an alternative licensed in the US for feline hypertension.
- Zoonotic or reportable: neither.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.