Pet Hypertension and Blood Pressure Monitoring for Dogs & Cats

Understanding Pet Hypertension

Just like humans, dogs and cats can experience changes in blood pressure that affect their overall health — especially as they age or develop other medical conditions. At My Kind of Vet, we provide gentle, accurate, and stress-free pet hypertension monitoring to detect changes early and guide treatment before complications occur.

We can perform blood pressure checks both in-clinic and at home, depending on your pet’s comfort and temperament. Whether it’s a routine wellness exam or part of managing a chronic illness, early monitoring helps us safeguard your pet’s heart, eyes, and organs before permanent damage sets in.

What Is Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Blood pressure monitoring measures the force of blood against your pet’s arteries as their heart beats and rests. This simple, non-invasive test helps us detect:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure), which can strain vital organs such as the kidneys, brain, and eyes.

• Hypotension (low blood pressure), which may indicate shock, blood loss, or anaesthetic complications.

Our clinic uses veterinary-specific Doppler and oscillometric systems designed for accuracy and comfort. These allow us to obtain precise readings while keeping your pet calm and relaxed throughout the process.

Regular blood pressure checks are especially important for early detection and management of pet hypertension, which often develops silently before symptoms appear.

When Does Your Pet Need Blood Pressure Monitoring?

We recommend blood pressure monitoring for any pet at risk of pet hypertension or low blood pressure. Regular testing is particularly important if your pet:

• Is 7 years or older (senior pets)

• Has kidney, heart, or thyroid disease

• Has been diagnosed with diabetes

• Is taking long-term medications (such as steroids or thyroid supplements)

• Is showing signs of vision loss or sudden blindness

• Is undergoing anaesthesia or surgery

Even healthy pets benefit from periodic blood pressure checks — early detection gives us the best chance to manage problems before they affect quality of life.

What to Expect During a Blood Pressure Visit

We take great care to make sure your pet feels safe and at ease during every step of the visit. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Your pet is gently placed on a soft mat or may stay comfortably on your lap.

2. A small inflatable cuff is wrapped around their limb or tail.

3. Several readings are taken to ensure consistency and accuracy.

4. The veterinarian reviews the results immediately and discusses them with you.

No shaving, needles, or sedation are required. Our fear-free approach focuses on calm handling, patience, and plenty of positive reinforcement (and treats!) so pets associate their visit with comfort — not stress.

Why Pet Hypertension Monitoring Matters

Pet hypertension is often called a “silent condition” because it can cause significant internal damage long before symptoms are visible. Persistent high blood pressure can lead to:

• Kidney disease or failure

• Retinal damage and blindness

• Heart enlargement or failure

• Neurological signs, including disorientation or seizures

Routine monitoring allows us to detect and treat high blood pressure early, reducing the risk of complications and protecting your pet’s long-term wellbeing.

For pets already diagnosed with pet hypertension, ongoing monitoring helps us track response to medication and make timely adjustments for optimal control.

Integrated Approach to Pet Hypertension

At My Kind of Vet, blood pressure checks are often performed alongside other diagnostic tests — such as bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging — to identify underlying causes of pet hypertension.
By combining results, we can create a complete picture of your pet’s cardiovascular and organ health, allowing for targeted, effective treatment.

If your pet’s blood pressure is elevated, our team will explain what it means, discuss treatment options, and design a monitoring schedule suited to their needs.

Why Choose My Kind of Vet

• Fear-free environment with calm, low-stress handling

• Accurate, veterinary-grade equipment for precise readings

• Experienced vets who take time to explain every detail

• At-home or in-clinic testing options for your convenience

• Ongoing monitoring plans for pets with chronic health conditions

At My Kind of Vet, we’re dedicated to combining medical precision with genuine compassion. Our goal is to make pet hypertension screening simple, comfortable, and effective — because prevention and early care can make all the difference.