arterial hypertension in dogs is a rare pathology and appears in two ways: as primary arterial hypertension or as secondary arterial hypertension. If your dog has been diagnosed with this he alth problem, it will be essential to discover what are the risk factors that cause it, the symptoms that he presents or the treatment to follow.
Next, in this article on our site we will explain what high blood pressure in dogs is, the symptoms and treatment and other important details to consider.
What is high blood pressure in dogs?
Arterial hypertension is a sustained elevation of systolic or diastolic pressureor, in other words, persistent high blood pressure High blood pressure is called primary, essential or idiopathic when it is not caused by another disease. This type of hypertension is very common in people, but is very rare in dogs.
Conversely, when the increased pressure is caused by another disease, it is known as secondary hypertension. This is the most common form in dogs.
Although this disease is not routinely diagnosed in veterinary consultations, its potential effects are very dangerous, since affects different organs and it can even cause death Among the damage that high blood pressure can cause in dogs are:
- Eye damage: blindness, glaucoma, hemorrhage or retinal detachment.
- Neurological damage: cerebrovascular haemorrhage, seizures, dementia or neurological deficit.
- Cardiovascular damage: hypertrophy of the left ventricle, alterations in arteries and arterioles.
- Kidney damage: glomerulosclerosis, glomerular atrophy, tubular degeneration or interstitial fibrosis.
Causes and risk factors
Primary or idiopathic hypertension occurs due to unknown causes It has been speculated that it may be genetic, but there is no conclusive evidence. In any case, the incidence of this type of hypertension is so low in dogs that no research is done. Secondary canine hypertension, on the other hand, is mainly caused by other diseases The dogs most prone to hypertension are the elderly and obese.
The diseases that most frequently raise blood pressure in dogs are:
- Kidney conditions
- Endocrine disorders (hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, hyperaldosteronism, hypothyroidism)
- Neurological diseases
- Polycythemia
- Obesity
Symptoms of high blood pressure in dogs
Dogs with primary hypertension rarely have symptoms. Those with secondary hypertension (the most common form) may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Hemorrhage inside the eyeball
- Blindness
- Dilated pupils
- Retinal detachment
- Nystagmus (abnormal and frequent movements of the eyeball)
- Blood in the urine
- Urine protein
- Abnormally sized kidneys (enlarged or reduced)
- Nasal bleeding
- Disorientation
- Loss of coordination
- Partial paralysis of extremities
- Seizures
- Heart Murmur
- Enlarged thyroid gland
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arterial hypertension in dogs is performed in a similar way to the method used for humans: an occlusive cuff is used to measure the pressure in the artery distal to the cuff. Typically dogs' blood pressure is measured on one of their paws or on their tail. To obtain accurate and precise results it is necessary to measure the pressure several times.
There are also other procedures that are more complicated or invasive, so they are not normally used in veterinary practices, but rather in institutions research or large veterinary hospitals.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis of hypertension is not routinely made in veterinary practices because the procedure is difficult and can give erroneous results easily, as most dogs get nervous during the diagnosis. Therefore, it is customary to measure blood pressure only when there are reasons to think that the dog suffers from hypertension. It is important to note that greyhounds' blood pressure is normally slightly higher than that of other dog breeds.
Treatment of high blood pressure in dogs
Primary hypertension should be treated with drugs that help lower blood pressure and with an appropriate diet to be prepared by the veterinarian, according to the specific needs of the patient.
Conversely, in secondary hypertension it is necessary to treat the underlying causes. If the diseases that cause it are not treated, there is no point in trying to lower blood pressure. Each treatment, therefore, will be different depending on the causes that produce the rise in pressure.
In some cases it may be necessary to admit the dog to a hospital or veterinary clinic. In most cases, it is usually necessary to modify the diet and follow a recommended exercise program, in addition to prescribed medications to treat underlying diseases.
Prognosis will depend on the cause of hypertension.
Prevention
To prevent arterial hypertension in dogs, several aspects of the dog's daily routine must be taken care of, including the following aspects:
- He althy diet: based on quality feed or the preparation of homemade recipes supervised by a veterinarian that provide all the essential nutrients to the dog.
- Regular exercise: always adapted to the possibilities and needs of the dog.
- Good he alth: Carrying out regular veterinary check-ups, following the dog's vaccination schedule, the deworming routine and, ultimately,, going to the specialist in case of any anomaly.
