Feline hypertension awareness month

Feline hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition in older cats just like in people, affecting around 1 in 5 cats over 8 years of age.

Feline Hypertension is not always as obvious or easy to diagnose. Sometimes cats with feline hypertension may sleep more or just appear to be slowing down; they may be more vocal or appear confused. However, often our feline friends will not exhibit any obvious signs until the disease is already advanced resulting in potentially serious and irreversible damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. Sadly, cats are often diagnosed only when they suffer severe vision loss or even blindness.

At Orchard House Vets, we recommend a proactive approach to detect and treat hypertension as early as possible to prevent these irreversible changes. Routine annual blood pressure checks in all cats over seven years old which can be carried out with you in the consulting room. Regular monitoring is also particularly important in cats with underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and heart disease.

Symptoms of feline hypertension

Feline hypertension can manifest with various symptoms, including sudden blindness, seizures, behavioural changes, and heart problems, but can also be asymptomatic until severe.

Here’s a more detailed look at the potential signs of feline hypertension:

Eye Issues:

Sudden blindness: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the eyes, leading to retinal detachment and blindness.
Dilated pupils: Pupils that remain dilated even in bright light can be a sign of hypertension.
Bleeding in the eye: Blood within the clear chamber of the eye (globe) is another sign of eye damage caused by hypertension.

Neurological Symptoms:

Seizures: Cats with hypertension may experience seizures, which can range from brief convulsions to more severe episodes.
Disorientation: Cats may become disoriented, confused, or have difficulty with balance.
Altered behaviour: Hypertension can cause behavioural changes, such as increased irritability, aggression, or lethargy.
Wobbly or uncoordinated movements (ataxia): Difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
Nystagmus: Involuntary, rapid, back-and-forth movements of the eyes.

Other Symptoms:

Heart problems: Hypertension can lead to thickening of the heart muscle and heart murmurs.
Kidney issues: Hypertension can damage the kidneys and worsen existing kidney disease, leading to increased thirst and urination.
Nosebleeds: Cats with hypertension may experience nosebleeds.
Lethargy: Cats may become less active or appear tired.
Weight loss: In some cases, hypertension can be associated with weight loss.
Blood in the urine: Hypertension can cause kidney damage, which can lead to blood in the urine.
Protein in the urine: Hypertension can increase protein loss through the kidneys (proteinuria).

Feline Hypertension awareness month

Every May, vets are encouraged to raise awareness of feline hypertension. We will be doing that of course but we also have a special offer for all cats over the age of 7 years old.

Orchard House Vets offers Senior Cat Nurse clinics for a complete head-to-tail check-up including a blood pressure check for all cats over 7 years old which are a fantastically cost-effective way of making sure your feline friend gets all the TLC they need in their latter years. Blood-pressure measurements are completely pain-free and well tolerated by most cats, using a mini version of the cuffs we use on people!

In addition, all vets and nurses at Orchard House Vets are trained to use “cat-friendly” techniques to minimise stress for their patients during vet visits. Our Stocksfield surgery is a silver accredited cat friendly clinic, and our Bellingham surgery is a bronze awarded practice. Find out more about cat friendly clinics here.

Appointments are limited, so please book an appointment as soon as possible by clicking here, or give our team a call.