how do you take a cat's blood pressure?

Answers:
There are several different techniques for indirect measurement of blood pressure. The two most common techniques are the Doppler technique and the oscillometric technique. The Doppler technique involves placing a small ultrasound probe over one of the large arteries in the limbs or the tail. An amplifier connected to the probe produces audible sounds for every pulse beat. A blood pressure cuff is placed proximal to the probe, and is inflated until the vessel is occluded and the pulse sounds can no longer be heard. The cuff is then slowly deflated. The pressure at which the pulse sounds consistently return is the systolic arterial blood pressure. In cats, Doppler readings have been found to underestimate the true systolic arterial blood pressure by about 17 mm Hg, and this should be taken into account when measurements are performed.

The oscillometric technique utilizes a blood pressure cuff to detect pressure oscillations as the diameter of the artery changes. Oscillations occur when the artery pulsates. Systolic arterial blood pressure is determined when the amplitude of the oscillations suddenly increase. With the technology now available, precise identification of the change in amplitude can be measured. A report in the September 1st, 2002 issue of the Journal of the AVMA concluded that the oscillometric method of blood pressure measurement is easily accomplished and is fairly accurate, although it slightly underestimates blood pressure, especially as blood pressure increases.

The following are approximate systolic and diastolic normals:

Dogs: Systolic/Diastolic = 147/83 mm Hg
Cats: .Systolic/Diastolic = 160/100 mm Hg

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and if you can---how do you know what the normal ranges would be for your individual animal?

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you dont.you take it's pulse.

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Take it to the vet?

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take it to a vet

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very carefully.sorry, I couldn't resist.

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With great care and wearing protective clothing!

Basically you take it to a vet.

http://www.lbah.com/feline/hypertension..

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why would you want to? i have never seen a b/p taken on any animal. i don't think that is something vets worry about. also i don't think they check their cholesterol either. hahaha!

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I have seen (though I can't remember where) there are animal blood pressure cuffs out there. I wouldn't recomend it unless a vet shows you how. I wouldn't worry too much about the blood pressure of your cat unless your vet has given you a reason to worry about it.

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Don't you think that if you need to be taking a cat's blood pressure maybe you should go to the vet? Do you even know how to take a human's blood pressure, can't be much different. Systolic and diastolic blah blah blah.

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It is not easy to take a cat's blood pressure. Mostly because it has to be done by a veterinarian and most cats are stressed by being in the veterinary situtation., thus raising the pressure and giving an inaccurate reading. Sedation would make the blood pressure abnormally low and also not be worth doing.

My cat has had a blood pressure check. With older cats there is a concern that high blood pressure can cause retinas to detach resulting in blindness. My cat was fine and vets do give medication for cats who have a high bp.