Hypertension, Feline - contd.

ClinicalSigns
Because hypertension is commonly associated with an underlying cause, the clinical signs seen in an individual cat are often due to the disease that causes the elevated blood pressure. Examples of possible symptoms associated with the underlying disease of renal failure include lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, polydipsia, polyuria, and vomiting. Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism, another disease associated with high blood pressure, include weight loss, vomiting, polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia. Signs due to hypertension itself vary, and may range from no clinical signs to ocular abnormalities such as hyphema, retinal detachment, and increased tortuosity of retinal vessels. Neurological abnormalities such as seizures, collapse, and abnormal behavior secondary to complications from hemorrhage or arterial spasm may also occur.

Symptoms
Many cats with high blood pressure have no signs at all, although some cats develop signs secondary to the disease that has caused the elevation in blood pressure. For example, cats experiencing hypertension due to kidney failure may have a poor appetite, and experience weight loss, increased thirst or urination, and vomiting. With hyperthyroidism, another disease causing high blood pressure, symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, increased thirst, increased activity, and increased appetite. Cats with primary hypertension usually will have symptoms that result from damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart or blood vessels, or central nervous systems, since these are the systems primarily affected by hypertension. Signs may include blindness due to bleeding or retinal detachment. Neurological signs such as seizures, fainting, weakness, or collapse can occur when hypertension leads to blood vessel injury in the central nervous system.