Hypertension is common in older cats and causes target organ damage including retinal haemorrhage, blindness, and kidney injury without appropriate treatment.
Untreated hypertension silently damages the retina, kidneys, heart, and brain. Acute onset blindness from retinal haemorrhage is dramatic and distressing. Cats can sometimes regain partial vision if hypertension is controlled rapidly after retinal detachment. Chronic hypertension causes progressive organ damage that reduces quality of life. Blood pressure monitoring in senior cats enables early intervention before irreversible target organ damage occurs.