The study of retinopathies and choroidopathies in hypertensive cats

Abstract

Systemic hypertension is a cardiovascular disease increasingly present in geriatric cats. Its consequences on the target organs are also particularly on the eye ,at the level of the retina. The afflicted individuals may present lesions of choroidopathy and hypertensive retinopathy. The objectives of the reported study were to evaluate the clinical and ophthalmological findings, the causes of systemic hypertension in these cats and to discuss the visual prognosis of the individuals. This retrospective study was carried out on a number of 14 patients. The selection criteria were represented by cats suffering from hypertensive retinopathy having a systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mmHg and having an ocular lesion: retinal vascular tortuosity, effusion, hemorrhage, retinal detachment or hyphema. Medical records were reviewed for individuals’ reports, the medical history, ophthalmic examination findings, and ocular ultrasound scans. Most cats were referred because they had decreased visual acuity (42.9%), a history of chronic kidney disease or even for hyphema, glaucoma and anisocoria. Auscultatory cardiac abnormalities were diagnosed in half of the individuals. Chronic kidney disease concomitant with systemic arterial hypertension was the most common (n=12), followed by hyperthyroidism (n=1). The four cats with blood pressure monitoring (n=4) after the administration of amlodipine showed a decrease in blood pressure.