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Yes, dogs can get high blood pressure just like us. Let's talk about dog high blood pressure be defining it and then discussing the causes, symptoms and treatments for canine high blood pressure.

What is canine high blood pressure? Problems from high blood pressure arise when a blood vessel gets too small for the high pressure flow going through it. Imagine attaching a garden hose to a fire hydrant. The pressure would cause the garden hose to explode and that is what happens to a blood vessel too small for the pressure going through it. Instead of water going everywhere, as in the garden hose analogy, bleeding results. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems over time. A systolic ABP consistently exceeding greater than 170 to 180 mm Hg in the dog is considered high. Diastolic pressure in dogs should not exceed the 100 to 110 mm Hg range, provided it is recorded when the dog is relaxed.

What causes high blood pressure in dogs? According to Dr. de Jong, the incidence of high blood pressure in the general dog population is not known and it is most often associated with an underlying disease. The most common possibilities would be renal disease, Cushings, diabetes mellitus, and pheochromocytoma. In addition, the procedure to check it isn’t as simple as with humans and costs may vary. Vets and their technicians use a little cuff on the dog’s leg and another piece of equipment rather than the stethoscope to measure the results. The technique can be difficult to master thus complicating getting an accurate reading.

What are some dog high blood pressure symptoms? Many dogs with high blood pressure have no signs at all, although some dogs develop signs secondary to the disease that has caused the elevation in blood pressure. For example, canines experiencing hypertension due to kidney failure may have a poor appetite, and experience weight loss, increased thirst or urination, and vomiting. With hyperthyroidism, another disease causing high blood pressure, symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, increased thirst, increased activity, and increased appetite. Dogs with primary hypertension usually will have symptoms that result from damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart or blood vessels, or central nervous systems, since these are the systems primarily affected by hypertension. Signs may include blindness due to bleeding or retinal detachment. Neurological signs such as seizures, fainting, weakness, or collapse can occur when hypertension leads to blood vessel injury in the central nervous system.

What treatments for dogs with high blood pressure are available? If your dog is found to have high blood pressure, treating the underlying disease will usually eliminate the high blood pressure. Veterinarians may also prescribe medicine that will help lower blood pressure, or have you change your dog's diet to one that is low in salt.

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