23/02/2024
🐾 🐱 Do you have a cat aged 7 years or older? 🐱🐾
❔❔ Could they be hypertensive? ❔❔
🐈 Hypertension (increased blood pressure) is a very common clinical problem in cats, most frequently diagnosed in older cats 7-10 years of age, but is still often overlooked.
💊 The majority of cats with an underlying disease/condition such as renal disease, hyperaldosteronism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes; are at a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with hypertension as well.
⚠ However! ⚠ Hypertension has also been diagnosed in more than 5% of apparently healthy older cats, with no problems.
💊 Left untreated, hypertension can cause serious complications such as; blindness, damage to the kidneys and damage to the heart and central nervous system (leading to seizures and other neurological issues).
🐈 Ideal recommendations for cats;
- Aged 7 - 10 years should have their blood pressure checked annually;
- Aged 11+ years, every 6 months;
- With a pre-existing condition or known hypertension (hyperthyroidism, diabetics and kidney issues) every 3 – 6 months.
📝 This simple check which can be carried out within a booked consult slot, with a vet or a nurse, can prevent these serious complications arising! It does not hurt them and is performed in a similar way to us having our blood pressure taken.
🌠🌠 We are also a GOLD accredited cat friendly practice! 🌠🌠
🐱 We want our feline friends to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, so if you have a cat aged 7 or over, or has any of the health conditions listed, consider booking them in for a blood pressure check at any of our branches.
☎ If you want to discuss the process, cost or booking in for this, please call your surgery of choice and our team will be happy to help you!
🐱 More information can also be found on the ISFM website https://icatcare.org/advice/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/