Target organ damage in canine and feline systemic hypertension: a review

Abstract

Hypertension is a state of persistent elevation of arterial blood pressure and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic exposure to blood pressure results in target organs damage (TOD). Hypertension may be primary or essential and symptoms may be subclinical, insidiously causing damages to the target organs. It is often diagnosed when condition relating to the organ dysfunction are presented to the clinic. On the other hand, hypertension can be secondary when it is caused by an underlying condition and it may eventually damage some other vital organs (Target organs) in the body of the affected animal. These target organs include the eyes, brain, kidneys and heart causing hypertensive retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and cardiomyopathy, respectively, in the organs. This review elucidates the occurrence and manifestation of hypertension and pathophysiology and clinical manifestation of target organ damage in small animals. There is therefore, the need for comprehensive cardiovascular examination and measurements of renal function, echocardiography and electrocardiography to diagnose hypertension and target organ damage early in order to promptly and properly manage the health abnormality. This will reduce the economic loss, organ damage and mortality caused by hypertension and its associated organ dysfunction.