Affecting approximately one in five cats that are nine years or over, feline hypertension is known as the “silent killer”, as there are often no obvious signs or they are subtle and interpreted as “old age”.
Unfortunately, when more marked clinical signs occur, it is often too late and the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain can be severely affected.
Initially, International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) advises that blood pressure should be checked annually in cats aged seven years or over.
As they get older, cats should have their blood pressure checked every six months, which is particularly important if cats have underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
Ceva Animal Health has launched a new feline hypertension toolkit packed full of resources to support veterinary practices wanting to talk to their clients about the condition.
The hope is that the toolkit will help owners understand the importance of regular blood pressure measurements for their cats.
The pack contains:
- Posters, leaflets and stickers
- Waiting room display materials
- Ready to use social media posts and email content
- A communications guide to help support practices
Vet influencer “Louise the Vet” is supporting the campaign by spreading the word about feline hypertension and the importance of routine blood pressure checks in cats on her social media channels.
During Feline Hypertension Awareness Month, Ceva is encouraging vet professionals to “think outside the box” to creatively “make the invisible, visible” and encourage conversations about the condition with clients.
A waiting room display competition will be held to reward creativity, with a prize of a doppler machine for the winning vet practice.
Suzanne Page, Amodip product manager at Ceva, comments: “By monitoring cats aged seven or over with routine blood pressure tests, there is a real opportunity to improve the health and welfare of our older feline population as, once diagnosed, hypertension can easily and efficiently be treated with the daily administration of an appropriate treatment.
“Our new resources will help veterinary professionals advise and educate their clients on feline hypertension and provide valuable information to help keep their cats healthy and happy for longer.”
To download a feline hypertension toolkit or for information on feline hypertension or Amodip, visit the website.
