Frequently, a concerned client will present a cat or, less frequently, a dog to their regular veterinarian with the complaint that one or both eyes was or currently is red inside. In some cases, this diagnosis is correct. Unfortunately, in some cases this diagnosis is incorrect. In humans, essential hypertension is the most common type.
Secondary hypertension is the most common type in veterinary medicine.
In humans, systemic hypertension is called the 'silent killer' because there are no characteristic feelings or outward symptoms or signs of high blood pressure until a stroke occurs. In veterinary medicine, we cannot always get a diastolic reading because of patient anxiety or noise in the environment. Normal blood pressure in the dog and cat is less than 160-170 mm Hg systolic. A blood pressure evaluation is performed every time you are seen by your regular physician and we are familiar with the technique. In veterinary medicine, we cannot get the blood pressure exactly as it is done in humans, but it is most frequently done in a similar manner.