Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High blood pressure brain damage in cats with kidney problems
By Brown, C A et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2005·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypertensive encephalopathy in cats with reduced renal function.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats with kidney problems developed serious symptoms like lethargy, difficulty walking, blindness, confusion, and seizures after their blood pressure suddenly increased due to surgery. Both cats showed significant swelling in their brains, which was linked to their high blood pressure. One cat had specific changes in its blood vessels, while both had signs of brain damage. Unfortunately, the severe brain swelling and high blood pressure led to serious complications, highlighting the risks associated with sudden changes in blood pressure in cats with kidney issues.
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Abstract
The clinical, hemodynamic, and pathologic features of hypertensive encephalopathy in two cats with reduced renal mass are described. The cats developed a progressive syndrome of lethargy, ataxia, blindness, stupor, and seizures following an abrupt increase in blood pressure associated with a surgical reduction in renal mass. The cats had severe gross brain edema, evidenced by cerebellar changes of caudal coning and cranial displacement over the corpora quadrigemina and cerebral changes of widening and flattening of the gyri. Histologically, interstitial edema was most pronounced in the cerebral white matter. Hypertensive vascular lesions were present as hyaline arteriolosclerosis in one cat and hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis in the other. Rare foci of parenchymal microhemorrhages and necrosis were also observed. Systemic hypertension (especially severe or rapidly developing) accompanied by neurologic signs and the pathologic findings of diffuse brain edema with cerebral arteriolosclerosis are consistent with an etiologic diagnosis of hypertensive encephalopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16145210/