Veterinary practices are being urged to “make the invisible, visible” by carrying out routine blood pressure checks in cats to identify possible hypertension.
The message is central to this year’s Feline Hypertension Awareness Month, which runs throughout May.
Affecting one in five cats aged nine or older, hypertension in cats is termed by many in the profession as a “silent killer”, because it provides no obvious signs.
Six-month checks
Any early signs that do appear can be misinterpreted as old age by owners, meaning the condition can continue undiagnosed before marked clinical signs impact on eyes, kidneys, heart and brain.
For this reason, those behind the awareness month are advocating routine blood pressure checks in cats aged seven or older.
The International Society of Feline Medicine had initially advised blood pressure should be checked annually, but as they get older it now advocates checks every six months.
Resources
Ceva Animal Health, which backs the awareness month, has produced a toolkit of resources to support vet practices for the 2023 campaign.
It features posters, leaflets and stickers; waiting room display materials; a communications guide; and ready-to-use social media posts.
A waiting room display competition is planned to encourage creativity around raising awareness of the month, with a Doppler machine as a prize.
Common condition
Suzanne Page, Amodip product manager at Ceva Animal Health, said: “Feline hypertension is extremely common and an early diagnosis is crucial to help prevent serious damage.
“By monitoring cats aged seven or over with routine blood pressure tests, there is a real opportunity to improve the health and welfare of our older feline population as, once diagnosed, hypertension can easily and efficiently be treated with the daily administration of an appropriate treatment.
“Our new feline hypertension resources will help veterinary professionals advise and educate their clients on feline hypertension, and provide valuable information to help keep their cats healthy and happy for longer.”
Credit to: ‘Make invisible, visible’ message for hypertension campaign (Vet Times)
Vet Times. (2023). ‘Make invisible, visible’ message for hypertension campaign [online]
Available at: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/make-invisible-visible-message-for-hypertension-campaign/
