Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Brain damage from high blood pressure in cats and signs to watch
By Church, Molly E et al.·Published in Veterinary pathology·2019·1 Department of Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neuropathology of Spontaneous Hypertensive Encephalopathy in Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 12 cats with high blood pressure (systemic hypertension) showed sudden signs of serious brain problems, including stupor, coma, and seizures. Their blood pressure readings were alarmingly high, ranging from 160 to 300 mm Hg. In some cases, there were visible brain injuries, and all cats had swelling in the brain's white matter. Many of these cats also had other health issues, like kidney disease and thyroid problems. Unfortunately, the severe brain swelling indicates a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.
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Abstract
Pathologic features of 12 cats with naturally acquired systemic hypertension and concomitant hypertensive encephalopathy were analyzed. All cats demonstrated acute onset of signs localized to the forebrain and/or brainstem, including stupor, coma, and seizures. All cats had systemic hypertension, ranging from 160 to 300 mm Hg. Gross lesions were identified in 4 of 12 cases, including caudal herniation of the cerebrum and cerebellum, sometimes with compression of the rostral colliculus and medulla. Histologically, all cases featured bilaterally symmetrical edema of the cerebral white matter. Associated vascular lesions, especially arteriolar hyalinosis, were also observed. Concurrent lesions were chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (11/12 cases), adenomatous hyperplasia of the thyroid gland (4 cases), hypertensive choroidal arteriopathy (6 cases), and left ventricular hypertrophy (5 cases). This study demonstrates that the typical histologic manifestation of spontaneous hypertensive encephalopathy in cats is bilaterally symmetrical edema of the subcortical cerebral white matter.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31113291/