You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Description
If you go to the doctors for a medical examination you will almost certainly have your blood pressure measured, usually using a cuff which is placed around your arm and a stethoscope. This is because high blood pressure is a relatively common finding which is present in a variety of diseases. If you have high blood pressure (called hypertension) you may be put on to drugs which reduce it, and you will almost certainly be given a strict diet to follow. If you are overweight you will be told to reduce your body weight by reducing calorie intake, you will be advised to reduce salt intake and also reduce fat intake.

Cats and dogs rarely develop primary (essential) hypertension - but they do develop high blood pressure in association with other diseases such as renal failure. Until recently veterinarians were not able to measure blood pressure accurately because the equipment available for human use was unsuitable for use in animals....but now special equipment is available and the techniques have been authenticated , so don't be surprised if the measurement of blood pressure becomes part of the routine examination of your pet - especially as it gets older and is likely to be developing age-related diseases such as renal failure.

This picture shows a dog having it's blood pressure taken. It is used with the permission of Hill's Pet Nutrition Ltd.

Updated October 2013