What Is the Normal Blood Pressure for a Dog?

Blood pressure is a regulatory action of the dog's body. The normal value for a dog is taken when he is not stressed. Stress-like exercise can affect blood pressure, changing the acceptable value. Illness can have multiple effects on blood pressure. Some diseases raise blood pressure, creating one set of negative effects. Other illnesses cause a drop in pressure, which causes another set of problems. Surgery has a strong effect on blood pressure and should be monitored to ensure countermeasures are given when appropriate.

  1. Blood Pressure

    • In order for the heart to push blood around the dog's body the blood must be under pressure. This works by all of the arteries and veins holding tension to maintain this pressure. When the left ventricle of the heart contracts, pumping blood to the body, pressure is at its highest. For the average healthy dog at rest this number should be 115 mmHg for systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure, when the ventricles are filled with blood and are at the lowest pressure time, should be around 75 mmHg. Both values are for a normal healthy dog that is at rest.

    Exercise

    • During exercise or play, the dog's body requires more oxygen to keep up with cellular activity. The heart begins beating faster to accommodate the cellular demand. At this point, the circulatory structures increase their tension in order to tolerate and move the increased blood volume through the body. This is a normal and necessary increase in blood pressure. In a healthy dog the systolic pressure may be as high as 180mmHG and diastyolic pressure 120mmHg. Pressures any higher than these stress the dog's circulatory structures and can become dangerous.

    High Pressure

    • Dogs can suffer from hypertension, abnormally high blood pressure, for a variety of reasons. Dogs can suffer from heart disease, obesity, and other disorders, which are associated with high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure weakens arteries and veins under the constant stress. This makes them susceptible to rupture or aneurysm. Dogs with conditions associated with high blood pressure should be seen by a vet to address the problem and monitor their pressures.

    Low Pressure

    • Diabetic dogs can suffer from low blood pressure. In diabetic dogs, the blood sugar can fall so low that the cells of the body are no longer able to function properly. In the case of the circulatory structures, they no longer maintain muscle tension, which regulates pressure. This can result in poor circulation to the brain and organs and will set them up for other problems.

    Surgery

    • One of the biggest problems or risks of surgery is the blood pressure of the dog falling too low. The drugs associated with producing the physiological state appropriate for surgery act to suppress the bodies normal function, including blood pressure. To counteract this effect many doctors administer intravenous fluids. The fluids increase blood volume, which increases the pressure of the circulatory system.