A key indicator of a dog’s vital activity is the stability of blood pressure - that’s why responsible owners of four-legged pets need to know how to measure a dog’s blood pressure, how to do it, what numbers on a tonometer should be according to veterinary standards, and what can provoke its deviations in one direction or another. If you don't already have this information, now is the time to fill in the gaps in knowledge that is important to you and your animal.
Blood pressure (also called blood pressure) is an indicator that reflects the degree of blood pressure on the walls of blood vessels at the moment when the heart contracts (systolic) and relaxes (diastolic). It is indicated by two numbers, the unit of measurement is millimeters of mercury.
What is normal blood pressure in dogs?
One of the rules says: never try to compare the pressure of a person and a four-legged friend (their standards are not equivalent).
The ideal pressure level for an adult dog is considered to be approximately 120-140 mmHg.
But keep in mind that as pets grow older, you may notice fluctuations in blood pressure numbers (usually upward). Veterinarians (and ordinary doctors) call this phenomenon arterial hypertension. This condition is observed not only in animals, but also in humans.
Hypotonic dogs, as such, do not exist in nature. But at the time of surgical interventions, a decrease in pressure can signal hidden bleeding or the negative effect of anesthesia - therefore, pressure is strictly monitored during operations.
What is considered normal blood pressure in dogs and what symptoms indicate high blood pressure?
In dogs, like in humans, one of the most important vital parameters is blood pressure.
However, the norm for dogs is not the same as for people, but 120-140 mmHg. But, despite the fact that dogs do not smoke and do not worry about such trifles as people do, in old age they can also develop arterial hypertension. This is a chronic increase in pressure, in which the vessels cannot cope with the increased blood flow, the walls of the vessels tear, and hemorrhage occurs.
As a result, the functioning of the organ to which the torn vessels led is seriously impaired. For example, if the integrity of the renal capillaries is compromised, the kidneys stop properly removing harmful substances from the body. They linger in the bloodstream and lead to severe disorders, and also provoke an increase in blood pressure.
Causes of high blood pressure in dogs
In dogs, high blood pressure is always a consequence of some underlying disease. Therefore, with such a symptom, the animal must be carefully examined to identify the cause of this condition. Various diseases have been reported as causes of high blood pressure in dogs.
- First of all, these are kidney diseases, which manifest themselves as chronic renal failure.
- Diabetes mellitus also leads to hypertension,
- polycythemia,
- Cushing's syndrome,
- acromegaly in puppies,
- adrenal tumor.
A change in blood pressure in a dog is difficult to notice and suspect.
Its measurement is only an additional diagnostic method that a veterinarian uses when examining an animal.
How to measure a dog's blood pressure?
You can measure your dog's blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor and a pediatric cuff. It is secured around the forearm or paw of the animal, or at the base of the tail. Hypertension is indicated by a dog's blood pressure being above 160 mmHg.
If it exceeds 180 mm Hg. - this indicates a stable pathology. However, when measuring blood pressure, it is necessary to take into account that the animal may be nervous in the clinic and this will affect its health parameters.
To eliminate error, at least five measurements are usually carried out. During this time, the animal gets used to the procedure and becomes convinced that it is not painful. If the blood pressure is too high, the dog is given drugs that lower it, for example, vasotope. But it is also necessary to treat the underlying disease. This is the only way to save an animal from hypertension.
Correction of hypertensive crisis
Hypertension is quite common among older animals (8 years and older). As a rule, hypertension in dogs and cats develops secondary to the underlying diseases (renal failure, endocrine disorders, etc.). There is also an inverse relationship - high blood pressure negatively affects glomerular filtration in the kidneys, disrupts the nutrition of the retina, and also increases pre- and afterload on the heart. Therefore, hypertension must be treated.
Blood pressure over 180/95 mmHg is considered elevated. Art. But obtaining accurate and reliable blood pressure readings in small pets is challenging. There is a deviation in blood pressure readings caused by fear, pain or excitement. Clinically, hypertension can be asymptomatic to a certain extent or accompanied by shortness of breath, cough, and impaired coordination of movements. In cats, hypertension is often diagnosed only after the appearance of hyphema (bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye), blindness, or incoordination.
The prognosis for hypertension depends on the primary disease, but hypertension itself is dangerous due to the risk of developing symptoms of chronic heart failure, congestion in the form of edema, dropsy and the formation of intracranial hematomas (hemorrhagic stroke). Exacerbation of hypertension in the form of a hypertensive crisis can manifest itself in the form of dyspnea (rapid, heavy breathing), restlessness of the animal, and dilated pupils. As the symptoms of a stroke progress, the dog may suddenly whine, lose consciousness, or show sudden general weakness, after which, as a rule, nystagmus (vertical or horizontal involuntary movements of the eyeballs), incoordination of movements such as ataxia and tilting of the head to one side appear. In cats, symptoms of ataxia and blindness, as well as inappropriate behavior, predominate. In particular, a cat may constantly strive to climb somewhere, hide, or may simply stand with its forehead resting against a wall or corner. Dyspnea and cough are not typical in cats with hypertension.
First aid in such cases is to pour Corvalol or Valoserdin through the mouth in an amount of 3-5 drops per cat and 5-25 drops per dog in a random dilution with water, calm the animal and limit physical activity to a minimum. If possible, you need to inject furosemide into the muscle (1-4 ml) or give it in tablets (1/4-2 tablets), make an intramuscular injection of a 25% solution of magnesium sulfate in an amount of 1-5 ml and urgently call a veterinarian. In the absence of these drugs, you can use any antispasmodic (baralgin, spasmalgon, no-spa in a dose of ¼-1 tablet).
Causes of high blood pressure in pets
The main reason for changes in blood pressure in an animal, as a rule, lies in the age of the animal: after all, only young and absolutely healthy dogs can have internal organs and systems work without failures. But this is not the only possible factor; blood pressure problems also lead to:
- Stress caused not only by negative, but also by positive reasons.
- Disorders of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys.
- Serious diseases (such as diabetes or any neoplasms).
- Presence of injuries.
Timely detection of deviations in blood pressure in dogs will help to recognize health problems and allow them to be dealt with quickly in order to, with the help of medicine, avoid serious and sometimes fatal complications and, accordingly, health consequences.
What causes it?
The cause of primary hypertension in dogs is unknown. However, professional breeders in different countries have repeatedly recorded cases where parents, among whom there was at least one individual with hypertension, gave birth to puppies that were initially predisposed to it. So there is a high probability that this is a genetically determined anomaly in dogs specifically. Since this pathology is really rare in dogs, this version can be considered the main one.
How common is hypertension in dogs? Research has shown that this disease affects between 0.5 and 10% of all dogs in the world. Oddly enough, the age of sick animals is quite vague, ranging from 2 to 14 years. Of course, in the vast majority of cases, it is the old dogs who suffer.
Secondary hypertension is much more common (more than 80% of all cases of high blood pressure in dogs), and its development can be caused by many adverse factors and primary diseases, including kidney damage and hormonal imbalances. Hyperthyroidism is especially dangerous in this regard. Diabetes can also cause hypertension, although it is uncommon in dogs. In short, at the slightest suspicion that your dog has high blood pressure, immediately take it to the vet.
About high blood pressure in dogs: symptoms and signs
It is logical that an accurate determination of high blood pressure in a pet is possible only as a result of measurements with a device. But dog owners should know a number of externally manifested signs that will become a hint and the first bell indicating that they should definitely pay attention not just to the pet’s health, but specifically to the animal’s blood pressure. So, what should alert a person?
- Deterioration of the pet's vision, burst vessels (hemorrhages) of the eyeballs, retinal detachment, as well as glaucoma (impaired outflow of the aqueous component of the eye).
- An unnatural head position, convulsions, changes in consciousness or perception of space, divergence of the eyes, strange behavior, impaired coordination of movements, deformation of the skull - all this may indicate hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, hemorrhages or fluid accumulation.
- Problems in the urinary system (with kidneys and renal failure).
- An excessively rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) or a ragged, unstable pulse (arrhythmia), indicating problems with your pet's heart.
You may be interested in the article “How to understand that your pet is sick.”
Methods for measuring dog blood pressure
Modern veterinary medicine allows two ways to measure blood pressure in pets:
- invasive,
- surface.
Pressure can be measured invasively only during any surgical intervention (in other words, surgery) in the body of a four-legged patient. It all looks like this: a special arterial catheter connected to a measuring base is carefully inserted into a large blood vessel. This way you can get the most accurate result. But the fact that the pet must be under general anesthesia makes it rarely used in practice.
For surface measurements, a special device is required - a veterinary tonometer. They are sold freely at any veterinary pharmacy. It is this method that allows you to measure a dog’s blood pressure at home; you just need to know the rules of manipulation.
The most accurate measurements are obtained if you use a veterinary tonometer and calculate the average pressure from three to five measurements taken at intervals of 2-5 minutes.
The question of whether it is possible to use a tonometer intended for humans rather than a veterinary one is open. Some say yes, others no, because the results on another device, not adapted for the animal, may differ from the real ones. If you need to measure your pet’s blood pressure, but there is simply no veterinary medical equipment and you have to use human equipment, follow clear rules when taking measurements:
- Use a special children's cuff.
- Take pressure measurements strictly on the pet’s hind legs.
- Take the average from the sum of three to five measurements.
The norm can be considered 110-140 by 70-90. But these indicators will definitely be influenced by the age, weight and even gender of the dog.
How to measure a dog's blood pressure?
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The vast majority of dog owners visit the veterinarian at least once a year: they undergo a preventive examination, undergo tests, and have control ultrasounds. And there are very few who think about measuring their pet’s blood pressure. But this is a very important indicator of health.
If the pressure does not correspond to the norm for a long time or fluctuates, problems begin: the heart and blood vessels suffer, the kidneys and liver are overloaded, and eye diseases occur. The issue of blood pressure control is especially relevant for pets who exhibit symptoms of weather dependence.
But measuring the pressure once or twice is not enough: you need to look at the dynamics. It would be a good idea to create a daily schedule that will help you calculate the norm specifically for your pet.
Normal blood pressure levels in dogs range from 110–145\60–95. They depend on the breed, size, and age of the pet. Although it is believed that the larger the animal, the higher its performance, in reality this may not be the case at all. There are cases where in small dogs normal pressure reached 130 over 85.
But it’s difficult to measure a pet’s blood pressure at home. With a high degree of probability, only representatives of large breeds will be able to do this. You can even use a regular human tonometer for them: the cuff is placed on the forearm of the front paw. But one measurement will not be enough, because, unlike a person, it is difficult to explain to a dog that there is no need to be nervous. Therefore, in order for the pet to get used to strange sounds and sensations and understand that nothing threatens him, the procedure will have to be repeated several times.
To measure blood pressure in representatives of medium and small breeds, you can use a children's cuff. If your pet’s paws are very thin (for example, Chihuahuas or Yorkshire terriers), and you need to constantly monitor your blood pressure, you will have to fork out for a veterinary blood pressure monitor or visit the veterinary clinic frequently.
However, veterinarians themselves often resort to other measurement methods. The most accurate method is internal blood pressure measurement. True, this can only be done when the dog is under anesthesia. To do this, a special catheter is inserted into a large artery, connected to a device that records blood flow and pressure on the walls of the vessel.
If your pet is undergoing any surgery, you can ask the doctor in advance to take a blood pressure measurement and record the data in your dog's chart. Even if you never need this knowledge, it is better to have it.
The other method is not invasive, but it is also less accurate. Pressure can be measured using a Doppler sensor, but only the upper reading will be correct.
The problem of constantly high blood pressure cannot be ignored. By itself, the blood pressure of our four-legged friends cannot increase. Any deviations are an indicator of serious destructive processes occurring in the body. Therefore, if your pet suffers from hypertension, ask your veterinarian to conduct a full examination to determine the cause of the pathology.
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How to deal with high blood pressure?
Of course, diagnosing, monitoring and treating blood pressure in dogs requires the participation of a qualified veterinarian. Indeed, despite the importance of symptoms, first of all, it is necessary to find out the root cause of this condition of the animal.
In order to lower blood pressure, drugs such as benazepril or amlodipine are most often prescribed, with a dosage depending on the weight and age of the animal. However, before taking the medicine for the first time, you need to make sure that your pet does not have an allergy or individual intolerance to it.
And remember that you can turn a blind eye to the problem with blood pressure, but you will significantly reduce the quality of life of the animal and shorten its life expectancy. Take care of your dog, responding promptly to any changes in its health. And if you haven’t measured your pet’s blood pressure yet, then maybe it’s time to start?!
How to measure a dog's blood pressure
In order to monitor blood pressure readings, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian. But such an opportunity is not always available. In addition, visiting a veterinary clinic is a kind of stress for an animal.
In order not to expose your pet to additional stressful conditions, it is recommended to learn how to measure blood pressure at home. There are several ways to measure blood pressure in the arteries:
- Using a special veterinary tonometer, the cuff of which is placed in the area of the root of the tail or hock joint of the dog. The study allows you to record pulse fluctuations. Purchasing a special veterinary device is not always advisable due to high prices.
- Using an automatic tonometer designed to measure blood pressure in people. It is important that the device includes a cuff for small children. The cuff is attached to the root of the tail, hock joint or forearm. They start the device and wait for the results of the readings. It is recommended to carry out the measurement at least 3 times in a row, considering the last obtained results to be the most accurate. It is important that the pet is in a calm state while measuring blood pressure. Immediately after coming home or active games, the indicators will always go off scale.
For animals that constantly suffer from pressure changes and receive adequate therapy, it is recommended to measure pressure by the clock and record the readings in a notebook. During a routine check-up with a veterinarian, you can provide information about the changes.
