Monitoring blood pressure is a standard in human medicine and
due to advancements in veterinary medicine, it is becoming more
routine for pets. At SBAC we use a Cardell monitor which measures
blood pressure using the oscillometric method. Technically
speaking, the oscillometric method is based on the principle
that pulsatile blood flow through an artery creates oscillations
of the arterial wall. These oscillations are transmitted to the
cuff which passes them through the pressure hose to a transducer
within the monitor. A microprocessor analyzes them and
determines systolic, mean and diastolic pressure values and
pulse rate. The Sharn monitor is designed specifically for
animals. To measure blood pressure, a cuff is placed on the
pet's leg and is then inflated, similar to that of blood
pressure testing in humans. The process is not painful for the
pet and the results are usually accurate as long as the pet
remains calm during the process.
Because blood pressure monitoring provides useful baseline data
and offers an early warning sign for more serious medical
conditions, it is an important component of a thorough wellness
exam. Blood pressure monitoring can aid in detecting
hypertension or hypotension, diagnosing internal bleeding, and
monitoring anesthetic depth. Blood pressure has two values:
systolic, which is the higher value that corresponds to the
heart contracting and pumping blood, and diastolic, the lower
value that occurs as the heart relaxes and fills.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is diagnosed when the
systolic value is consistently greater than 180 mm Hg in the dog
or 160 mm Hg in the cat or when the diastolic value is
consistently greater than 100-110 mm Hg.
Hypertension can result from a variety of diseases or conditions
such as chronic kidney disease, endocrine disease (Cushing's),
adrenal gland tumors, and central nervous system disorders.
Certain medications may also cause hypertension in some pets.
Signs of hypertension vary depending on the underlying cause and
include sudden loss of vision, dilated pupils, circling, head
tilt, seizures, behavioral changes, lethargy, depression,
difficulty breathing, increased thirst and urination, weight
loss, or a change in appetite.
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