Can Dogs Have High Blood Pressure? Here's A Brief Guide Explaining Hypertension

High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is common in humans and can also happen to dogs. Its development is significantly problematic, as it can lead to a variety of health issues.

Here’s what you need to know about hypertension in dogs:

Types

There are two types of high blood pressure:

• Primary Hypertension occurs without a clear underlying cause. It is more common in humans and almost never happens to dogs.
• Conversely, Secondary Hypertension is the result of an underlying disease and is usually what dogs develop.

Symptoms

Here are the common symptoms of high blood pressure:

• Breathing difficulties
• Mental activity reduction
• Coughing or wheezing
• Eye bleeding
• Sight loss
• Walking pattern changes
• Retinal detachment
• Balance loss
• Kidney failure
• Heart failure

Causes

Since most dogs have secondary hypertension, their high blood pressure is almost always caused by an underlying issue, usually a disease. Here are some possible causes:

• Glomerular disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
• Growth hormone overproduction
• Chronic renal disease
• Adrenal tumor
• Endocrine disease
• Polycythemia

Predisposition

Different breeds have different risk levels for developing hypertension. According to research, the following dogs can easily develop conditions that lead to high blood pressure:

• Terriers
• Spitz dogs
• Schnauzers
• Dachshunds
• Bichons frises
• Poodles

If you suspect your dog has blood pressure or is at risk for it, speak to your vet.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay