Kidney disease, especially in the chronic stages, is one of the most common causes of persistently high blood pressure, or hypertension, in dogs. Other underlying diseases, such as Cushing\u2019s disease (elevated adrenal hormones) can also increase blood pressure. If no underlying disease is found, the hypertension is considered primary, or idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.<\/p>\n
Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to tissue damage in organs including the eyes, heart, brain, and even the kidneys. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for dogs with chronic kidney disease to have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
Healthy kidneys are an important part of the body\u2019s regulatory system since they help maintain normal blood pressure, or the force exerted by blood against the vessel walls. Disease can compromise kidney function, leading to an uncontrolled increase in blood pressure. At the same time, hypertension can make kidney disease worse.<\/p>\n
Many dogs show no signs of high blood pressure. But hypertension can affect the eyes, causing the retina \u2014 the lining in the back of the eye \u2014 to become detached, leading to sudden or gradual blindness. In some cases, if the problem is caught quickly, blindness can be reversed. In other cases, the damage is permanent. Dogs may also deal with dilated (enlarged) pupils.<\/p>\n
Dogs with hypertension may experience neurological signs such as seizures, disorientation and difficulty walking. The condition puts additional pressure on blood vessels and the walls of the heart, potentially causing damage there. Your veterinarian may hear a heart murmur when listening through the stethoscope. Abnormal blood flow can also increase the risk of blood clot formation and stroke.<\/p>\n
The unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells of a veterinary clinic can cause a pet\u2019s blood pressure to rise temporarily. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to allow dogs to acclimate in a quiet room before any readings are taken.<\/p>\n