Blood pressure regulation and mechanism of hypertension development in dogs and cats: A review

The review article aims at discussing the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation and hypertension development in dogs and cats. This will enhance the knowledge of clinicians and researchers on the pathophysiology of hypertension and mechanisms of normal blood pressure regulation in small animals. Hypertension is a risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases in man and animals, however, most small animal clinicians do not routinely check the blood pressure until the animals are presented with complications. Hypertension in animals can be essential or secondary but the secondary type is predominant. Blood pressure is regulated by vasoactive agents and hormones such as nitric oxide, bradykinin, endothelin-1, angiotensin II and aldosterone. The blood vessels and the kidney also play major roles in blood pressure regulation. Alterations in the regulation frameworks result in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases as elucidated in this review article. It is therefore essential that the body maintain good anatomic, physiologic and biochemical functions to maintain blood pressure. In conclusion, adequate knowledge of the mechanism by which blood pressure is regulated and the pathophysiology of hypertension will enhance research and potentiate the management of cardiovascular diseases and associated disorders in small animals.