ABSTRACT
Some dogs and cats clearly have clinical disease caused by hypertension, but many with ‘abnormally high’ BP have no evidence of related pathology, although a predisposing disease may be present. Repeated BP measurement over time is indicated before making a diagnosis of hypertension. Animals with mild hypertension and some animals with moderate hypertension may not need specific antihypertensive therapy, only treatment of the underlying disease. Severe hypertension should be treated to prevent or reduce end-organ damage. Emergency antihypertensive therapy is necessary in some animals (see p. 378).
