Clayton Animal Hospital Blood Pressure Monitoring

Clayton Animal Hospital is fortunate
to have a variety of monitors to
assess blood pressure.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
is common in patients with kidney
disease, Cushing's Syndrome and
diabetes. In cats, it may cause
retinal detachment and blindness.
In both dogs and cats, hypertension
causes kidney damage.
Medications such as amlodipine are
often effective in controlling
hypertension. Hypotension (low
blood pressure) may be seen in
trauma cases, heart failure and
anesthesia. Rapid detection and
therapy may be lifesaving.

Perhaps the most valuable role of
blood pressure devices is in
monitoring anesthesia. Monitoring
blood pressure allows for more
precise adjustment of anesthetic
gas levels to maintain safe, yet
effective anesthesia, thereby
preventing breakthrough pain.