Hypotension in Cats

Hypotension in cats can last for long periods of timediabetes, especially in older cats, or low blood sugar,
and cause no problems, or it can hit suddenly and bewhich is called hypoglycemia.
a life threatening situation. This condition can beIf your cat is on high blood pressure medication and
caused by heat stroke, heart problems, and a loss ofthey are given more than the recommended amount,
blood from some type of an injury, or very low bodyit will cause their pressure to drop significantly below
temperatures. It may also be caused by a bloodthe safe zone. Heart failure or abnormal heart
infection, severe dehydration, or an allergic reaction.rhythms may also be the causes, as well as a liver
If it becomes severe enough and causes your cat todisease. However, what is not well known is that
go into shock, or if they go into shock and it causesheat exhaustion over a period of time will also
hypotension, it has now become a life threateninggradually drop your cat blood pressure.
situation for your cat.Hypotension in your cat over an extended period of
What is hypotension?time can be a dangerous situation, but not anywhere
Hypotension in your cat is low blood pressure andnear as dangerous as a sudden drop in blood
understanding their normal ranges of pressure is verypressure. A sudden drop is a sign that something is
helpful in understanding this potentially veryterribly wrong with your cat. There are several
dangerous condition. The normal systolic range, whichpotential causes for a sudden drop, but the most
means maximum, is between 110 and 160 mmHg.common are from bleeding or dehydration. If your
The term mmHg means milliliters of mercury, and thecat has excessive bleeding, either externally or
diastolic range, which is the minimum, ranges betweeninternally, their pressure will drop dramatically.
55 and 100 mmHg. Hypotension in cats is defined asDehydration in your cat causes several potential
your pets pressure measuring 90/55 or lower.health problems, but none more serious than a
The blood pressure in your cat reveals the pressuresudden drop in blood pressure. Water is critical in
within their vessels, and if this pressure becomeskeeping the blood flowing as well as pumping properly
either extreme or very low, it can and often doesin your cat. If your cats body temperature becomes
lead to a significant illness or is a warning sign thatvery low as a result of an accident in a pool or river,
your cat has a significant condition. In most cases,or if they are exposed to a heat stroke, their
when your cats blood pressure is taken, it is topressure will drop like a rock. Heart muscle problem,
measure hypertension and not hypotension.or Sepsis, which is a severe blood infection, may also
When your veterinarian takes your cats bloodbe the cause.
pressure, it is done to test the pressure of the bloodBut there is one other cause, and that is from what
against the walls of the blood vessels. This pressureis called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can range form mild
determines how your cats heart is pumping, as wellto severe, and can be life threatening as it is an
as the resistance to the flow of blood in the smallallergic reaction of some type. When this occurs,
arteries. It also helps to determine the elasticity ofyour cats blood pressure will drop significantly and
the walls in their main arteries, and how much blood isshow the first set of symptoms.
present as well as the thickness.Symptoms:
Your cat can have their blood pressure taken in twoHypotension in cats will show you an array of
different ways; direct and indirect. If it is donesymptoms, but if it is caused by anaphylaxis, which is
directly, an indwelling catheter is placed in their arterybelieved to be one of the major causes, the
and than is attached to a mechanical pressuresymptoms will be very clear and distinctive. Your cat
transducer. This transducer than monitors their heartwill become very weak and wobbly and may not be
rate and respiratory rate, as well as oxygen tensions;able to keep their balance. They may also develop
and the indirect method is done much the same ashives, a very sudden and severe itching, and as a
with people, as an inflatable cuff is used.result have difficult time breathing as a result of a
When taking your cats blood pressure this way, yourswollen tongue or throat.
veterinarian will clip a small amount of hair away fromIf the underlying cause has developed over time, the
the underside of their paw of either the front orfollowing symptoms will graduate in severity; if the
back leg closet to the arterial pulse. They will thendrop in blood pressure is rapid, they will show up
place a conductive gel on that spot as well as aimmediately. These symptoms include your cat
sensor. Your cats leg is too small for a stethoscope,becoming dizzy, light headed, and their vision will
and because of this, a blood pressure cuff is used tobecome blurred. If this happens, they may also start
help in amplifying the sound.to run into objects. But the most chilling symptom will
Causes:be one that at first may be hard to see, and that is
Hypotension in cats has several potential causes anda paling of their skin.
while the exact cause may never be determined, theWith this condition, you will see an almost bluish tint
type of low blood pressure helps in identifying theto their gums and lips, and they will very cold when
cause. There will be two different types of low bloodyou touch them as they are going into shock. Their
pressure that may affect your cat; extended orpulse will become very weak as well as very rapid,
sudden.and they will also start to breathe rapidly.
One of the most common causes for extendedSummary:
hypotension is pregnancy as well as hormonalHypotension in cats in not nearly as well known as
problems. Hormonal problems can include anhypertension, but it is much more dangerous as it can
underactive thyroid, which is known ascause shock very rapidly in your cat. Once shock
hypothyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, which isoccurs, you have very little time to seek emergency
called hyperthyroidism. It may also be the result ofmedical treatment.