Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Senior Blood Pressure Monitoring

Hypertension is very common in senior cats and causes progressive organ damage - regular blood pressure monitoring enables early detection and treatment.

Key Facts

Hypertension affects over 20% of cats over 15 years old
High blood pressure causes retinal detachment, sudden blindness, cardiac hypertrophy, and brain damage
Benazepril and amlodipine are effective antihypertensive drugs in cats
Blood pressure measurement in cats requires acclimatisation to reduce white coat effect
Annual blood pressure monitoring is recommended for all cats over 7 years

Welfare Considerations

Hypertension in senior cats causes real suffering through organ damage - sudden blindness is particularly acute. Early detection through regular monitoring and prompt treatment prevents much of this damage and significantly improves quality of life.

What You Can Do

Request blood pressure measurement at annual wellness checks for senior cats
Acclimatise cats to veterinary handling to reduce white coat hypertension effect
Monitor for sudden behavioural or visual changes that may indicate hypertensive crisis