Hypertension and renal disease

Systemic hypertension is commonly associated with chronic renal failure in dogs and cats. Consequences of systemic hypertension are manifested by pathologic changes involving the eyes, heart, central nervous system, and/or kidneys. These changes may be prevented or reversed by diagnosing and treating systemic hypertension. Therefore, blood pressure determination and ophthalmic examination should be performed routinely in animals with chronic renal failure. Therapy for systemic hypertension associated with chronic renal failure should be initiated cautiously with the goal being to lower arterial pressure below values considered to be hypertensive. Therapy may involve nonpharmacologic strategies and/or hypertensive drugs. This article discusses pathophysiologic mechanisms, consequences, diagnosis, and treatment of systemic hypertension associated with chronic renal failure in dogs and cats.