My 14 year old male kittie was just diagnosed with primary hypertension 2 weeks ago after ending up in the ER due to extreme weakness. I actually thought he had hyperthyroid until 2 days before going into the ER because he was eating so much. Then he stopped eating. His symptoms before the ER visit included, pacing, pacing, pacing, extreme hunger, loss of strength, walking up to a wall and staring at it, wobbling while walking, very vocal. Then he stopped eating and I decided to take him to the ER.
At the ER they tested thyroid and kidney both were normal!
They noticed hypertension and that was the only treatable thing they could find. They suggested he had an intracranial event. He stayed in the ER the whole day on O2. Received his first does of Amlodipine 1/4 tablet 2.5 mg. And he started to eat while there.
At home there was remarkable improvement and today he is almost normal.
Yes, I've continued the amlodipine.
Other possible relevant history:
Always since birth has had a cough like a "smokers" cough. I couldn't find anyone who could diagnose it.
Has the last 2 years or so had ear issues, scratching and shaking his head. I took him 3 months ago to get his ears checked and got ear drops that helped for a little while. The vet also notice tartar buildup in his mouth and prescribed antibiotic Convenia. That actually cleared up the cough!
But then these other symptoms started about a month after the ear exam. So I'm not sure if the prior visit is related to the symptoms.
I may never know what caused the downward spiral event.
What I want to know is if there is any chance of getting him off the hypertension meds and if that may have been a false positive due to the stressful drive to the ER and being in that environment?
His followup at his new vet 3 days after the ER showed the amlodipine was keeping his blood pressure in normal range even after a similar stressful drive to that vets office. While I know the med can keep his BP regulated, I'm wondering if he really needs it or if there might be a natural alternative.
Also, while he appears much more normal today, he is still not quite himself. He has confined himself to the upstairs away from the other kitties (3 others) and he is eating only with encouragement (I hand feed him off my finger or hold the dish up to his mouth). I can't seem to get him to eat some of his old favorites.
Thank you for all suggestions!
No vaccines since birth.
Food: weruva BFF + raw dehydrated (Stella & chewy) + dehydrated chicken snacks
Peeing and pooping - ok.
Updated 7/25 added pacing as symptom
At the ER they tested thyroid and kidney both were normal!
They noticed hypertension and that was the only treatable thing they could find. They suggested he had an intracranial event. He stayed in the ER the whole day on O2. Received his first does of Amlodipine 1/4 tablet 2.5 mg. And he started to eat while there.
At home there was remarkable improvement and today he is almost normal.
Yes, I've continued the amlodipine.
Other possible relevant history:
Always since birth has had a cough like a "smokers" cough. I couldn't find anyone who could diagnose it.
Has the last 2 years or so had ear issues, scratching and shaking his head. I took him 3 months ago to get his ears checked and got ear drops that helped for a little while. The vet also notice tartar buildup in his mouth and prescribed antibiotic Convenia. That actually cleared up the cough!
But then these other symptoms started about a month after the ear exam. So I'm not sure if the prior visit is related to the symptoms.
I may never know what caused the downward spiral event.
What I want to know is if there is any chance of getting him off the hypertension meds and if that may have been a false positive due to the stressful drive to the ER and being in that environment?
His followup at his new vet 3 days after the ER showed the amlodipine was keeping his blood pressure in normal range even after a similar stressful drive to that vets office. While I know the med can keep his BP regulated, I'm wondering if he really needs it or if there might be a natural alternative.
Also, while he appears much more normal today, he is still not quite himself. He has confined himself to the upstairs away from the other kitties (3 others) and he is eating only with encouragement (I hand feed him off my finger or hold the dish up to his mouth). I can't seem to get him to eat some of his old favorites.
Thank you for all suggestions!
No vaccines since birth.
Food: weruva BFF + raw dehydrated (Stella & chewy) + dehydrated chicken snacks
Peeing and pooping - ok.
Updated 7/25 added pacing as symptom
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