Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Forelimb and hindlimb blood pressure and protein in Shetland Sheepdogs
By Scansen, B A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2014·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of forelimb and hindlimb systolic blood pressures and proteinuria in healthy Shetland Sheepdogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 72 healthy Shetland Sheepdogs had their blood pressure measured in both front and back legs to check for high blood pressure (systemic hypertension) and protein in their urine. The study found that about 13% of the dogs had high blood pressure, but this was not linked to protein levels in their urine. The blood pressure readings from the front and back legs were not consistent, suggesting that if a dog’s blood pressure is monitored, it should be done in the same leg each time for accuracy. Overall, age and heart rate were found to affect blood pressure readings, but weight and anxiety did not.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of systemic hypertension (SHT) in Shetland Sheepdogs has not been reported. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: SHT is common in Shetland Sheepdogs and positively correlated with proteinuria. Measurements of forelimb and hindlimb systolic arterial pressure (SAP) are comparable. ANIMALS: Seventy-two clinically healthy, client-owned Shetland Sheepdogs. METHODS: Forelimb and hindlimb SAP were recorded by Doppler ultrasonography. Proteinuria was quantified by urine dipstick, microalbuminuria, and protein:creatinine ratio (UPC). The relationship of UPC, anxiety, age, weight, and heart rate with forelimb SAP was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean forelimb and hindlimb SAP were 132 ± 20 and 118 ± 20 mmHg, respectively. The SAP exceeded 160 mmHg in 9 dogs, suggesting 13% prevalence of SHT. Four dogs had a UPC above 0.5; 2 of these had forelimb SAP exceeding 160 mmHg. Correlation of forelimb and hindlimb SAP was poor (r(2)  = 0.09; P = .011). Bland-Altman plots revealed substantial bias (-14 mmHg) between limb measurements with clinically unacceptable 95% limits of agreement (-60 to 33 mmHg). There was no correlation between forelimb SAP and UPC (P = .06) or anxiety level (P = .49). Age (P < .0001) and heart rate (P = .038) were significant predictors of forelimb SAP; weight (P = .73) was not. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of SHT was 13% and not correlated with proteinuria. Forelimb and hindlimb SAP were poorly correlated; therefore, trends in an individual animal should be monitored using the same measurement site. Additionally, values for Doppler SAP were determined in Shetland Sheepdogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24433302/