Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye problems in cats with high blood pressure and treatment results
By Cirla, Alessandro et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2021·Department of Ophthalmology, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ocular fundus abnormalities in cats affected by systemic hypertension: Prevalence, characterization, and outcome of treatment.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 225 cats diagnosed with high blood pressure (systemic hypertension) were examined for eye problems, and over half showed abnormalities in their eyes. These issues were often linked to other health problems like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. The cats were treated with a medication called amlodipine, and about 50% of them showed improvement in their eye conditions after 21 days. Regular check-ups helped monitor their progress, and many cats experienced better eye health as treatment continued.
People also search for: cat high blood pressure symptoms · amlodipine for cats eye problems · cat kidney disease and hypertension
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of ocular fundus abnormalities in cats with a diagnosis of systemic hypertension, to characterize the abnormalities observed, and to evaluate ophthalmoscopic evolution during treatment with amlodipine besylate. ANIMALS STUDIED: Cats diagnosed as affected by SHP in a 2-year period. PROCEDURES: Systemic hypertension was assessed by oscillometric blood pressure measurement, and its etiology was also established. All the cats received an ophthalmic examination, and ocular lesions were classified with a score from 0 (no abnormalities) to 4 (severe abnormalities). All cats received amlodipine besylate by mouth, and those that showed fundus abnormalities were regularly rechecked from 7 to 365 days after diagnosis. Data were statistically analyzed to compare Pand Pwith all the variables and to correlate Pand Pwith the fundus score. RESULTS: A total of 225 cats were enrolled in the study, and the prevalence of fundus abnormalities was 58.6% (21.2%: grade 1; 18.2%: grade 2; 36.4%: grade 3; and 24.2%: grade 4). Systemic hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (60.4%), hyperthyroidism (28.9%), both chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism (7.6%), and hypertrophic myocardiopathy (3.1%). A significant effect of Pvalues on the fundus score was detected. Amlodipine therapy improved fundus abnormalities in 50% of cases at the 21-day follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that fundus abnormalities are common in hypertensive cats at the time of the systemic diagnosis, and most of the abnormalities are moderate to severe. Treatment with amlodipine appeared to improve ophthalmic lesions over time.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512084/