• A practical and simple manual on the methods and techniques to measure blood pressure in cats and dogs, how to interpret the results obtained, and the recommended treatments. It includes a brief review of the current official recommendations of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), with clear rules and guidelines.

  • 1. Blood pressure

    Introduction

    Blood pressure measurement methods

    Normal values

    Factors influencing blood pressure

    Blood pressure regulation mechanisms

    Immediate regulation: rapid control mechanisms

    Delayed regulation: mid‑term control mechanisms

    Delayed regulation: long-term control mechanisms

    2. Blood pressure measurement

    Introduction

    Blood pressure dynamics

    Anatomical locations for measuring blood pressure

    Measurements at the base of the tail

    Measurements on a forelimb

    Measurements on a hindlimb

    Blood pressure measurement protocol for clinical practice

    3. Blood pressure measurement techniques

    Introduction

    What other methods are available?

    Doppler systems

    Oscillometric systems

    High-definition oscillometry (HDO)

    Plethysmography and photoplethysmography

    Which parameters are measured?

    4. Arterial hypertension

    Introduction

    Values obtained

    Diseases that cause hypertension in cats and dogs

    Hypertension and kidney disease

    Hypertension and obesity

    Hypertension and endocrine disorders

    Target organ damage

    The central nervous system

    The heart

    The eyeballs

    The kidneys

    The blood vessels

    5. Drug treatment of hypertension

    Introduction

    Courses of action to reduce blood pressure

    Modification of cardiac output

    Control over circulating volume

    Vasodilation

    Antihypertensive drugs

    Adrenergic receptor blockers

    Calcium channel blockers

    Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)

    Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs)

    Endothelin receptor antagonists

    Renin inhibitors

    Direct vasodilators

    Centrally acting antihypertensives

    Catecholamine-depleting drugs

    Aldosterone antagonists

    6. Hypotension

    Introduction

    Causes of hypotension in cats and dogs

    Diseases and procedures that cause hypotension

    Heart failure

    Diabetic coma or ketoacidosis

    Hypoadrenocorticism

    Hypothyroidism

    Direct alterations in blood vessels

    7. Drug treatment of hypotension

    Introduction

    Courses of action to increase blood pressure

    Drugs for treating hypotension

    Sympathomimetic drugs

    Phosphodiesterase inhibitors

    Other cardiac stimulants

    Fluid therapy solutions

    References

  • Enrique Ynaraja Ramírez

    Dr Ynaraja holds a degree and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid. He is an AVEPA (Spanish Small Animal Veterinary Association) certified specialist in small animal cardiology. He has spent time as a professor at two faculties of Veterinary Medicine – at the Complutense University of Madrid and at the CEU Cardinal Herrera University in Valencia.

    Dr Ynaraja is a founding member of CardioVet, a company that provides remote diagnostic services in veterinary cardiology to over 1,000 clinics in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and currently works as a vet for Servicios Veterinarios Albeytar in La Vall d’Uixó, Castellón, Spain.

    He has published 140 articles in international journals from 18 countries, participated in over 500 courses and conferences held in 22 different countries and published 8 books and several online courses. Dr Ynaraja also actively collaborates with leading companies from the Spanish small animal veterinary sector to develop training courses and programmes, to disseminate information and to introduce and launch both pharmacological and nutritional products.

Veterinary Clinics of North America
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