Systemic hypertension in cats usually follows chronic kidney disease or hyperthyroidism and shows almost no early outward signs, earning the label silent killer.
Target-organ damage includes retinal detachment with sudden blindness, further kidney injury, heart thickening, and neurological abnormalities.
Clinics measure with Doppler or oscillometric devices after a few quiet minutes of acclimation; stress inflates readings, so stable values often take repeat sessions.
Cats with diagnosed kidney or thyroid disease should recheck pressure on the vet's schedule; sudden bumping into objects or fixed dilated pupils needs immediate care.
