Canine Hypertension

Canine hypertension is characterized by the occurrence of high blood pressure levels in dogs. The condition is common and usually can be controlled, but it can lead to more serious complications if left untreated.

  1. Types

    • According to dog-health-guide.org (Reference 2), there are two types of canine hypertension: Essential, which is a rare condition caused by an underlying flaw in your dog's body, and secondary, which is the result of a disease such as renal failure.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of canine hypertension include hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased appetite), polyuria (excessive volumes of urine), abdominal swelling and alopecia (hair loss), according to veterinarynews.dvm360.com (Reference 1).

    Causes

    • The most likely root cause of most cases of canine hypertension is exposure to vasopressors, or blood vessel restrictors such as caffeine (Reference 1).

    Diagnosis

    • When you bring your dog into the veterinarian's office under suspicion of hypertension, your veterinarian will test its blood pressure, just like a doctor tests yours. He or she will have to shave the area of your dog where the pressurized band be will placed.

    Treatment

    • Some of the most commonly recommended medications for canine hypertension include fuosemide, amlodipine, tenolol and enalapril (Reference 2).