Under pressure: A survey of Canadian veterinarians in the diagnosis and treatment of feline hypertension.

Abstract

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to explore feline hypertension diagnostics and treatment practices among Canadian veterinarians and to identify barriers to recommending blood pressure monitoring in senior (> 7 y) feline wellness patients.

Procedure:

An online survey was developed and circulated by CommuniVET using email and social media.

Results:

A total of 114 Canadian veterinarians completed the survey. Most respondents indicated that they either do not recommend (n = 45; 39.5%) or occasionally recommend (n = 47; 41.2%) blood pressure monitoring in senior (> 7 y) feline wellness examinations. The most frequently reported barriers to recommending a blood pressure evaluation were the difficulty in interpreting results in stressed patients (n = 87; 76.3%), time involved in obtaining blood pressure (n = 73; 64.0%), and cost to the owner (n = 54; 47.4%). When faced with a patient diagnosed with a comorbidity commonly associated with hypertension, most respondents indicated that they always recommend (n = 38; 33.3%) or frequently recommend (n = 27; 23.7%) blood pressure monitoring. Most veterinarians' first line treatment for hypertension was amlodipine for primary (n = 81; 71.1%) and secondary (n = 39; 34.2%) hypertension.

Conclusion:

Most veterinarians did not routinely recommend blood pressure evaluation during senior feline wellness examinations. Although the frequency of recommendation for blood pressure monitoring appeared to be better in patients diagnosed with a comorbidity associated with hypertension, there was a substantial shortfall.

Clinical relevance:

This study identified the most common barriers to recommending blood pressure monitoring in senior feline wellness examinations. Normalizing blood pressure monitoring as part of a routine examination in senior feline patients may lead to increased intervention for hypertension and improved outcomes.

• Authors: Karren Prost
• Journal: The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne (Can Vet J) Vol. 64 Issue 1 Pg. 45-53 (01 2023) ISSN: 0008-5286 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 36593931 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Topics

• Cats
• Animals
• Humans
• Veterinarians
• Canada (epidemiology)
• Hypertension (diagnosis, drug therapy, veterinary)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Blood Pressure Determination (veterinary)
• Cat Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)