High Blood Pressure in Cats
Feline hypertension (high blood pressure) is a relatively common and potentially fatal disease. Unlike other species, in cats, most cases of high blood pressure are caused by systemic diseases such as renal failure, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Cats typically experience acute problems depending upon the system affected, including blindness, seizures, difficulty breathing, or muscular weakness. Fortunately, if caught early, this condition is manageable with proper treatment. The most commonly used medications are amlodipine, enalapril or benazepril. Amlodipine is not available as a veterinary-labeled FDA-approved product. Human-labeled tablets come in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths. These small tablets can be difficult to quarter to achieve the precise 0.625 mg dose needed for a cat. Our compounding pharmacists can help by creating 0.625 mg capsules or flavored suspensions to make it easy for pet owners to administer the medication. Benazepril and enalapril can also be compounded into flavored suspensions to help manage feline hypertension.
We compound customized dosage forms and flavor medications for each animal or species.