title: Ocular lesions associated with systemic hypertension in cats: 69 cases (1985-1998).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize clinical and clinicopathologic findings, response to treatment, and causes of systemic hypertension in cats with hypertensive retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  69 cats with hypertensive retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records from cats with systemic hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most cats (68.1%) were referred because of vision loss; retinal detachment, hemorrhage, edema, and degeneration were common findings. Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 37 cats, and neurologic signs were detected in 20 cats. Hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (n = 22), hyperthyroidism (5), diabetes mellitus (2), and hyperaldosteronism (1). A clearly identifiable cause for hypertension was not detected in 38 cats; 26 of these cats had mild azotemia, and 12 did not have renal abnormalities. Amlodipine decreased blood pressure in 31 of 32 cats and improved ocular signs in 18 of 26 cats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retinal lesions, caused predominantly by choroidal injury, are common in cats with hypertension. Primary hypertension in cats may be more common than currently recognized. Hypertension should be considered in older cats with acute onset of blindness; retinal edema, hemorrhage, or detachment; cardiac disease; or neurologic abnormalities. Cats with hypertension-induced ocular disease should be evaluated for renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac abnormalities. Blood pressure measurements and funduscopic evaluations should be performed routinely in cats at risk for hypertension (preexisting renal disease, hyperthyroidism, and age > 10 years). Amlodipine is an effective antihypertensive agent in cats.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Europa, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggio
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: DeFrancesco
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pizzirani
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Gilger
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies