Primary Care

Blood Pressure

Just like humans, it is important for your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s blood pressure.  Pets can have both high blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension).

If your pet has low blood pressure, their vital organs will be deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

Symptoms of low blood pressure could include the following:
Fainting or collapsing
Vomiting
Pale gums
Frequent urination and increased thirst
Fast, shallow breathing
Confusion

A pet with high blood pressure will present different symptoms.  It is important to treat high blood pressure as it can affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, and the nervous system.

Symptoms to look out for include:

Seizures
Circling
Disorientation
Blindness
Dilated pupils
Retinal detachment
Hemorrhage of the eye
Blood in the urine
Protein in the urine
Bleeding from the nose
Swollen or shrunken kidneys
Heart murmurs
Weakness, on one side of the body or in the legs
Involuntary oscillation (rolling) of the eyeballs
Palpable thyroid gland (when hyperthyroid)