Disorder - Hypertension

Organ Systems Involved
Cardiovascular

Brief Description

Hypertension is an abnormally raised blood pressure.

Presenting Signs

Hypertension can cause diseases such as hyperadrenocorticism (refer MIA 000247 and 000494) and kidney failure due to interference with the blood supply to various organs, and may also follow similar kidney, adrenal gland and thyroid gland diseases. The tissues most commonly affected by hypertension are the heart and blood vessels, kidney, eyes and central nervous system (brain). Hypertension can cause severe damage to organs and blood vessels. Clinical signs may range from subtle, even unnoticeable, to sudden death. Some of the serious problems caused are: · congestive heart failure by enlarging and thickening the heart muscle · blood clots that can be recognised by heart murmurs, respiratory distress/cough, poor pulse and weakness · swollen eyes, hemorrhages, detachment of the retina and increased pressure within the eye, possibly resulting in blindness, as well as problems in walking, decreased blinking, seizures, disorientation, incontinence and degeneration of the kidneys.

Dogs at Risk

Male dogs

Treatment

Medical

Related Disorders

Essential Hypertension

PubMed References
Hypertension

Further Reference Material [OMIA Number]
509


Contributor
Shae Sullivan