Systemic Hypertension in Dogs

 

More commonly referred to as high blood pressure, hypertension occurs when the dog's arterial blood pressure is continually higher than normal. When it is caused by another disease, it is called secondary hypertension; primary hypertension, meanwhile, refers to when it actually is the disease. Hypertension may affect many of the dog's body systems, including heart, kidneys, eyes, and the nervous system.

 

Systemic hypertension can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

The following are just some of the more common symptoms displayed by dogs with high blood pressure:

 

• Seizures
• Circling
• Disorientation
• Blindness
• Dilated pupils
• Retinal detachment
• Hemorrhage of the eye
• Blood in the urine
• Protein in the urine
• Bleeding from the nose
• Swollen or shrunken kidneys
• Heart murmurs
• Weakness, either on one side of the body or in the legs
• Involuntary oscillation (rolling) of the eyeballs
• Palpable thyroid gland (when hyperthyroid)

 

Causes

 

The cause of primary hypertension in dogs is not known. However, there have been instances where breeding dogs with hypertension have produced offspring with hypertension, so it seems likely that there is a genetic component.

 

So how prevalent is this form of hypertension? Studies have varied, but one study found that between 0.5 percent and 10 percent of dogs suffer from high blood pressure. Ages of dogs with hypertension ranged 2 to 14 years old.

 

Secondary hypertension, which accounts for 80 percent of all hypertension cases, may be due to a variety of factors, including renal disease, hormonal fluctuation, and hyperthyroidism.

 

Diabetes may also be a cause for hypertension, although it is uncommon in dogs. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from hypertension, bring it in so that your veterinarian may provide a proper diagnosis.

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Blood pressure is often measured in pets in the same manner as in humans. An inflatable cuff will be placed on the dog's paw or tail, and standard blood pressure measuring instruments will check the pressure. It is important to keep the dog still long enough to get an accurate reading.

 

The standards for dog blood pressure are:

 

• 150/95 – at this reading or below, there is minimal risk and treatment is not recommended
• 150/99 to 159/95 -- intervention is rotuinely not recommended at these readings
• 160/119 to 179/100 -- treatment should be sought to limit the risk of organ damage
• 180/120 -- immediate treatment should be sought to limit the degree of other more severe complications

 

Five to seven measurements are generally taken. The first measurement will be discarded, and the dog's excitement level during the procedure will be taken in account. If the results are in dispute, the procedure will need to be repeated.

 

Treatment

 

The underlying cause of the high blood pressure will be treated first. Otherwise, the dog will probably be on medication to control the blood pressure indefinitely. The medication of choice is either a calcium channel blocker or a beta-blocker. As to dog's diet, the veterinarian may recommend food that are lower in sodium.

 

Blood pressure should be checked regularly, and some lab tests may be ordered by your veterinarian to measure your dog’s reactions to the medication.