Systemic hypertension. Part 2: Diagnosis mid treatment

In small animals, systemic hypertension occurs most often secondary to renal disorders (chronic renal failure) or endocrinopathies, and manifests itself by ocular, neurological, cardiac and renal symptoms. After clinical suspicion of systemic hypertension or in case of renal or endocrine diseases, final diagnosis relies upon indirect blood pressure measurement by ultrasonic (cat and dog) or oscillometric (dog) method. Treatment should be instituted after recognition of compatible clinical signs and confirmation of a persistently elevated blood pressure. It includes dietary, etiological (treatment of the underlying disease) and specific measures. Major antihypertensive drugs include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, used primarily in dogs, and calcium channel blockers, used in cats.