Hypertension in cats?

[xaphania]

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this? Maybe can let me know what I might be in for, and if it sounds right.

My husband is just back from the vets after talking our 10year old cat for an emergency appointment. The cat was completely fine earlier, asked to go out as usual, had a scratch at his scratching post and went outside. Came back in around 545, and I noticed he was wobbly when he was walking, looked as if he was drunk! Was purring, a bit more vocal than usual and went to his bowl and had a good chow down but was still wobbly afterwards. I picked him up and noticed his pupils were also dilated, even in the bright kitchen light. No signs of injury, gave him a good prod around and nothing seems sore.

DH took him straight to the vet, and they've done some blood tests and think it could be high blood pressure, possible due to kidneys or heart probs. I have to take him for a blood pressure check tomorrow (I don't like their chances - took them a good half hour to get the blood out of him!). I had googled and had come up with hypertension, but it seemed strange that it had come on so suddenly - fine one minute, then wobbly and not able to climb/jump etc the next. I wondered if he'd maybe eaten something dodgy, and the vet thinks it a possibility.

I am a doctor, so understand a bit about these things - but obviously animals are a completely different kettle of fish!

So, anyone had a cat with high blood pressure? What can we expect in terms of treatment? I suppose I'm jumping the gun a bit, but forewarned is forearmed I guess.

Also, anyone had a cat with similar symptoms that turned out to be something else?

He's usually such a healthy boy, although he's cost us a fortune in injuries in the past! I really don't want to think he's suffering .

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Hypertension is actually very common in cats and the vast majority of cats tolerate measurement pretty well. In the clinic anything over 160-180mmHg is abnormal ( this reflects stress in the clinic). The corner stone of hypertension treatment in cats is amilodipine. We have to use licensed products in animal an amodip is the brand name. Some cats will also be prescribed benazipril if amilodipine alone is not enough.
We also try to identify other intercurrent disease such as hyperthyroidism and renal failure though this has been ruled out for you.
Like humans untreated hypertension have serious consequences including retinal detachment and renal failure.

[xaphania]

Thank you for replying! Does hypertension sound the most likely diagnosis from his symptoms? I'm just surprised at how quickly the symptoms appeared. I'm familiar with amlodipine in humans, but not looking forward to having to get medication into him - he's a nightmare to get a worming tablet into.

[Wolpertinger]

Hope your cat is OK

My top tip for tablets and cats is Webbox cat sticks or the cheapy Lidl versions Tear off a bit, squidge the tablet inside, cat will be very happy. Mine munches her thyroid tablets twice a day likes this and we very rarely have a tablet left behind on the floor. Lidl sticks are actually better as they are more squidgy

[xaphania]

Thanks Wolpertinger, and thanks for the tip. He's looking very sorry himself 😿