In this course we've taken a structured look at feline hypertension and the practical steps we can use in everyday clinical practise to identify and manage this important condition. Hypertension remains one of the most significant and often underrecognised challenges in the ageing cat population, and early detection is key to improving long-term outcomes. So what are the final take home messages from this course?
Well, probably most importantly, that measuring blood pressure and making the diagnosis of hypertension is key. Ideally, we would diagnose hypertension before the onset of target organ damage. We need to measure blood pressure as part of the routine assessment of those cats that are most at risk.
Who are we talking about? Well, our senior cats and those with disease conditions like chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism that we link to hypertension. In feline medicine, we are fortunate to have a number of anti-hypertensive medications that we can use to manage hypertension.
One of these drugs, which we've used for many years and recognised to be a highly effective anti-hypertensive agent as a monotherapy is amlodipine besylate. Amlodipine is available as a palatable tablet and this makes it really well tolerated and easy to administer. It's a versatile anti-hypertensive drug that can be used for cats with many different disease conditions that underpin their hypertension.
It works with cats with all stages of CKD and even those with very severe hypertension. So I want you to approach feline hypertension with confidence, clarity, and a really strong evidence base. To do that, we need routine screening, early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and the appropriate use of anti-hypertensive medication like amlodipine, which forms the foundation of effective care.
When we commit to these principles in practise, we give our feline patients the best possible chance of avoiding target organ damage and maintaining a good quality of life. Thank you for taking part in this course and I hope it supports you in delivering the highest standard of care for your patients.
