Pets can have high blood pressure, too

Q: Do pets get high blood pressure?

A: Yes, they do. We see regularly see high blood pressure in both dogs and cats. Just like in people, high blood pressure is difficult or impossible to detect unless you screen for it. When you go to your doctor, it is relatively easy for the doctor or nurse to check your blood pressure. In animals, the task is considerably more complicated. For that reason, routine screenings are generally reserved for older pets or those with known risk factors.

A pet’s blood pressure can be checked in three ways. One uses a blood pressure cuff with internal sensors to indirectly measure the pressure. These machines are similar to the self-test type commonly found in drug stores. However, these machines are notoriously inaccurate in veterinary patients. Another indirect technique is for a veterinarian or technician to use a Doppler ultrasonic blood flow detector to locate an artery in a leg or tail. These machines are the type used by obstetricians to detect fetal heart beats in pregnant women. Once an arterial flow is detected, a pediatric or neonatal human blood pressure cuff can be used to measure the blood pressure. Finally, a direct technique using a catheter inserted inside an artery will give the most accurate measure of blood pressure. However, this technique generally requires general anesthesia to perform and would be impractical as a screening test.

Most hypertension in pets is secondary to another disease process. Kidney disease, hormone imbalances, and heart disease are the most common risk factors. Certain combinations of medications also commonly lead to high blood pressure. For example, a common medication used for urinary incontinence combined with most arthritis medications can lead to hypertension. Pets with these risk factors should have their blood pressure checked regularly. Occasionally older animals, especially cats, will develop primary hypertension. These are patients who have high blood pressure and no risk factor can be identified. For this reason, some practitioners advocate regular blood pressure screenings in all older pets.

Just like in people, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Since MRI testing has become common in pets, more and more cases of strokes have been detected. Previously veterinarians thought strokes were uncommon in pets. High blood pressure and heart disease are primary risk factors for strokes in pets as well as people.

Hypertension can be controlled in pets using many of the same treatments used by physicians. ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers are generally the first line of treatment. Pets with high blood pressure should also be screened more frequently for other ailments that may be caused by or contribute to the hypertension.

Q: I saw a sign in front of a veterinary clinic advertising glaucoma screenings. I have never had my dog tested for glaucoma before. Do they puff some air in their face like my doctor does?

A: No, a quick puff of air would not be particularly popular with my patients. Instead, intraocular pressure is measured with a very sensitive piece of equipment called a tonometer. The test is able to detect increases or decreases in intraocular pressure. Generally, the eye is numbed using a topical anesthetic drop. The veterinarian or licensed technician places the tip of the instrument directly on the pet’s eye surface. An increase in pressure is called glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a serious disease that causes pain and can lead to blindness. The reason your doctor screens you for glaucoma is that many people with the condition do not realize it until permanent damage has occurred to the eye. Regular screenings help detect the condition earlier. The same is true for dogs. Pets cannot describe a sharp headache or deep eye pain like people can. As a result, most glaucoma in veterinary patients is detected when the vision is already permanently lost. Routine screening of dogs may help catch some patients early in the disease.

Glaucoma can occur as a primary disease or it may occur as a result of another problem in the eye. Certain breeds are particularly prone to primary glaucoma and should probably be routinely checked throughout life. Cocker spaniels, beagles, and short faced breeds like Pugs and Pekinese are at increased risk. Cats very rarely suffer from glaucoma and it is almost always secondary to another disease of the eye. Any pet with changes in the eye, including cataracts, may develop secondary glaucoma and should be tested regularly.

Dr. Watts is a companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care. He can be reached through ClevengersCorner.com or by calling 428-1000.