Hypertension In Cats Research Articles

VAMPIRE® fundus image analysis algorithms: Validation and diagnostic relevance in hypertensive cats.

To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE® (Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats. One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1). Forty-three hypertensive cats with no noticeable retinal abnormalities were enrolled for the clinical validity of the software (group 2). Eleven points (4 veins, 4 arteries, and 3 arterial bifurcations) were measured for each digital image. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed using two independent operators. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whiney and Tukey box plot. Significance was considered when P<0.05. Two hundred and ten retinal images were analyzed for a total of 2310 measurements. Total mean was 9.1 and 6.1 pixels for veins and arteries, respectively. First, second, and third arteriolar bifurcations angles were 73.6°, 76.9°, and 85.4°, respectively. A comparison between groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant reduction in arteriolar diameter (mean 3.3 pixels) and branch angle (55°, 47.8° and 59.9°) associated with increasing vein diameter (mean 24.15 pixels). Current image analysis techniques used in human medicine were investigated in terms of extending their use to veterinary medicine. The VAMPIRE® algorithm proved useful for an objective diagnosis of retinal vasculature changes secondary to systemic hypertension in cats, and could be an additional diagnostic test for feline systemic hypertension.

Survival after diagnosis of hypertension in cats attending primary care practice in the United Kingdom.

BackgroundHypertension is common in older cats. There is limited evidence for predictors of survival after diagnosis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesInvestigate blood pressure assessment (BPA) and hypertension diagnosis in cats attending UK primary care practices (PCPs) and factors that influence survival.AnimalsCats (347 889) attending 244 UK PCPs enrolled in the VetCompass program between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Cats identified as hypertensive (282) were included in descriptive and survival analyses.MethodsAll electronic patient records (EPRs) were searched to identify cats that potentially had received BPA. EPRs were read in detail to identify those that had BPA. The proportion that received BPA was evaluated using a stratified analysis and the incidence of hypertension estimated. A retrospective cohort study was used to investigate survival after diagnosis (Cox proportional hazard model).ResultsEstimated incidence risk was 19.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.5‐21.6) from the estimated 1.34% (1.30%‐1.38%) of cats that received BPA. Few cats had BPA more than once after diagnosis (median, 1; interquartile range [IQR], 0‐3), with only 9.9% of diagnosed hypertensive cats having urine protein:creatinine ratio determined. Cats diagnosed as a result of monitoring of pre‐existing disease had improved survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.89; P = .01) compared to cats diagnosed after clinical signs were recognized. Cats that had an amlodipine dose change had improved survival (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36‐0.87; P = .01) compared to those with no dose change.Conclusions and clinical importanceThese data suggest improved blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice may decrease the morbidity associated with hypertension.

ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension in Cats.

Samantha S Taylor, Andrew H Sparkes, Katherine Briscoe, Jenny Carter, Salva Cervantes Sala, Rosanne E Jepson, Brice S Reynolds and Brian A Scansen J Feline Med Surg 2017; 19: 288-303 Readers should note that the version of the guidelines that appeared in print in March 2017 and online until May 2018 has been amended. The version now appearing online is the correct one. For information, the following amendment has been made to the original published version. In Table 6 on page 299 the unit for esmolol should have been μg/kg/min and not mg/kg/min, as stated. The 'Suggested dose' column entry for esmolol has therefore been amended to '50-100 μg/kg/min CRI'.

Aortic dissecting aneurysm associated with systemic arterial hypertension in a cat.

Aortic dissection is characterized by a tear in the aortic wall resulting in blood from the aortic lumen penetrating into the media, which causes dissection. When aortic dissection does not cause rupture, it provokes localized dilation of the aorta or aneurism, also called dissecting aortic aneurism (DAA). This case report describes a DAA in a cat associated with systemic arterial hypertension (SAHT). A 10-year-old male Domestic shorthair cat was presented for cardiac evaluation. Anamnestic clinical complaints were a syncope associated with paraparesis and weak femoral pules. Cardiomegaly had been found radiographically, and cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism had been suspected. Upon presentation physical abnormalities were tachycardia and a heart murmur. Measurement of systolic systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) revealed severe SAHT. Echocardiographic images showed severe DAA, and marked aortic valve insufficiency. Palliative antihypertensive treatment resulted in fast clinical improvement and significant decrease in blood pressure. Four months later, acute severe respiratory distress due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema led to the cat's euthanasia. In human medicine, DAA is a well-reported complication of SAHT. This is the second case of DAA with congestive heart failure reported in a hypertensive cat.

Relationship between indirect blood pressure and various stages of chronic kidney disease in cats.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of secondary systemic hypertension in cats. We investigated the relationship between indirect blood pressure and the prevalence of systemic hypertension in various CKD stages in cats. Client-owned cats (24 control cats and 77 cats with CKD) were included. Biochemical examinations of plasma were conducted by a commercial laboratory. Diseased cats were divided into two groups based on the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines (II and III–IV). Indirect blood pressure was measured using an oscillometric technique. Severe hypertension was diagnosed if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ≥180 mmHg. Indirect blood pressures were significantly higher in IRIS stage III–IV than in the control cats. Of 77 cats with CKD, 25 (32.5%) had severe hypertension. The frequency of severe hypertension increased with an increase in IRIS stage; 0% in the controls, 27.6% in the IRIS stage II, and 47.4% in the IRIS stage III–IV, respectively. The indirect SBP was weakly correlated with urea nitrogen (r=0.27) and creatinine (r=0.23) concentrations in plasma. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that if plasma creatinine concentration is >3.7 mg/dl, cats with CKD had an increased risk for developing severe hypertension (P<0.001). Our results suggest that indirect blood pressure was correlated with the severity of CKD, and the prevalence of severe hypertension increased in cats with severe CKD. The risk of severe hypertension may be high in cats with severe CKD.

Systemic hypertension in cats with acute kidney injury.

To describe the prevalence of systemic hypertension in cats with community-acquired acute kidney injury and investigate its relationship with disease severity. Retrospective study of cats presenting to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Royal Veterinary College with acute kidney injury between 2007 and 2015. Systolic blood pressure was measured using Doppler sphygmomanometry and systemic hypertension was defined pressures ê150 mmHg. Median systolic blood pressure measurement, grade of acute kidney injury (as defined by the International Renal Interest Society), serum creatinine on admission, anuria or oliguria, length of hospitalisation, survival to discharge and six-month survival were all recorded. Forty-six cats were included; 21/48 (48.8%) showed systemic hypertension on admission and was severe (ê180 mmHg) in 8/43 (18.6%). During the whole hospitalisation period, systemic hypertension was detected in 27/46 (58.7%) cases and severe in 13/46 (28.2%). Systemic hypertension did not appear to be statistically associated with grade of kidney injury, serum creatinine on presentation, oliguria or anuria. Systemic hypertension is common in cats with acute kidney injury but does not appear to be associated with its severity.

ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension in Cats.

Practical relevance: Feline hypertension is a common disease in older cats that is frequently diagnosed in association with other diseases such as chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (so-called secondary hypertension), although some cases of apparent primary hypertension are also reported. The clinical consequences of hypertension can be severe, related to 'target organ damage' (eye, heart and vasculature, brain and kidneys), and early diagnosis followed by appropriate therapeutic management should help reduce the morbidity associated with this condition. Clinical challenges: Despite being a common disease, routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring is generally performed infrequently, probably leading to underdiagnosis of feline hypertension in clinical practice. There is a need to: (i) ensure BP is measured as accurately as possible with a reproducible technique; (ii) identify and monitor patients at risk of developing hypertension; (iii) establish appropriate criteria for therapeutic intervention; and (iv) establish appropriate therapeutic targets. Based on current data, amlodipine besylate is the treatment of choice to manage feline hypertension and is effective in the majority of cats, but the dose needed to successfully manage hypertension varies between individuals. Some cats require long-term adjuvant therapy and, occasionally, additional therapy is necessary for emergency management of hypertensive crises. Evidence base: These Guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) are based on a comprehensive review of the currently available literature, and are aimed at providing practical recommendations to address the challenges of feline hypertension for veterinarians. There are many areas where more data is required which, in the future, will serve to confirm or modify some of the recommendations in these Guidelines.

Vasa Vasorum Arteriopathy: Relationship With Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Other Vascular Lesions in Cats.

The vasa vasorum is a delicate network of small arterioles that supplies nutrients to the adventitia and outer media of large arteries. In humans, dysfunction of the vasa vasorum contributes to the pathogenesis of aortic dissection and atherosclerosis. Twenty-four cats from 1 to 18 years of age were prospectively evaluated. Cases were divided into 3 cohorts-with systemic hypertension, without systemic hypertension, and uncertain. Histologic sections of the aorta and main pulmonary artery, as well as sections of kidney and lung, were blindly examined by 2 pathologists. The severity of vasa vasorum arteriopathy was compared to the presence of renal arteriosclerosis, aortic medial degeneration, subintimal fibroplasia of the main pulmonary artery, and blood pressure. We found that vasa vasorum arteriopathy correlated strongly with hypertensive status, degree of renal arteriosclerosis, and lesions in the great vessels. The positive predictive value of a severe vasa vasorum score for systemic hypertension was 84.6%. Lesions of vasa vasorum arteriopathy were predictive of renal arteriosclerosis with 100% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. The positive predictive value of a severe vasa vasorum score for the presence of aortic lesions was 69.2% vs 91.6% for lesions in the main pulmonary artery. The vasa vasorum appears to be an important responder to systemic hypertension in cats, and arteriopathy of this vascular bed has significant implications for the integrity of the great vessels.

Factors Influencing the Relationship Between the Dose of Amlodipine Required for Blood Pressure Control and Change in Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Cats.

BackgroundHypertension is a common problem in elderly cats. In most cats, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <160 mmHg is achieved in response to amlodipine besylate at either 0.625 or 1.25 mg q24h. The individual cat factors determining dose requirement dose have not been explored.AimsTo determine whether individual cat factors influence the dose of amlodipine required to achieve adequate blood pressure control and to determine whether factors other than the prescribed dose of drug alter the achieved plasma amlodipine concentrations.MethodsFifty‐nine hypertensive cats that required 0.625 mg (A) and 41 cats that required 1.25 mg (B) amlodipine to reach a target SBP of <160 mmHg were identified, and plasma amlodipine concentrations were determined. Comparisons were made between groups, and multivariable linear regression models were performed to investigate predictors of antihypertensive response.ResultsCats that required a greater dose of amlodipine had significantly higher SBP at diagnosis of hypertension (A: (median [25th, 75th percentile]) 182 [175,192] mmHg; B: 207 [194,217] mmHg, P < .001), but comparable blood pressure was achieved after treatment. Plasma amlodipine concentrations were directly related to the dose of amlodipine administered. At diagnosis, cats in group B had significantly lower plasma potassium concentration (A: 4.1 [3.8,4.5]; B: 3.8 [3.6,4.2] mEq/L, P < .01). Weight did not differ between groups. The decrease in SBP was directly and independently associated with the SBP at diagnosis and the plasma amlodipine concentration.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCats with higher blood pressure at diagnosis might require a greater dose of amlodipine to control their blood pressure adequately. Differences in amlodipine pharmacokinetics between cats do not seem to play a role in the antihypertensive response.

Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of a chewable formulation of amlodipine for the treatment of hypertension in client-owned cats.

BackgroundThere is an unmet clinical need for a cat‐specific formulation of amlodipine to treat hypertensive cats.ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of chewable amlodipine tablets in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) in cats diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension.AnimalsSeventy‐seven client‐owned cats with systemic hypertension were included (median age 14 years).MethodsThe study was randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled. Forty‐two cats received 0.125–0.50 mg/kg amlodipine once daily for 28 days; 35 cats received placebo. After 28 days all cats continued with amlodipine for 2–3 months in an open‐label phase. Blood pressure was measured using high definition oscillometry. A responder was defined as a cat showing a decrease of SBP to <150 mmHg at 28 days or a decrease from baseline ≥15%.ResultsSixty‐one cats completed the study. The responder rate was 63% in amlodipine group and 18% in placebo group. Cats receiving amlodipine were 7.9 (95% CI 2.6–24.1) times more likely to be classified as responders when compared to those receiving placebo (P < .001). From a mean (±SD) baseline value of 181 (±12) mmHg, SBP decreased to 154 (±17) mmHg with amlodipine and to 170 (±21) mmHg with placebo (P < .001). The voluntary acceptance rate of amlodipine formulation was 73%.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe chewable amlodipine tablet effectively reduced SBP compared with placebo in hypertensive cats, and was well‐tolerated. It can be used concomitantly with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and in cats with chronic kidney disease.

Multi-detector computed tomography of an aortic dissection in a cat

Contrast enhanced, multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is a useful diagnostic imaging modality that has become increasingly available in veterinary medicine. Multi-planar and three-dimensional reconstructions allow accurate and comprehensive assessment of cardiac and vascular lesions with short image acquisition times. ECG-gated, contrast enhanced MDCT was used to assess the lesion extent and therapeutic options in a case of aortic dissection diagnosed in a hypertensive cat.

Plasma Renin Activity and Aldosterone Concentrations in Hypertensive Cats with and without Azotemia and in Response to Treatment with Amlodipine Besylate

BackgroundRole of renin‐angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in feline systemic hypertension is poorly understood.ObjectivesExamine plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) in normotensive and hypertensive cats with variable renal function and in response to antihypertensive therapy.AnimalsOne hundred and ninety‐six cats >9 years from first opinion practice.Methods PRA, PAC, and aldosterone‐to‐renin ratio (ARR) were evaluated in cats recruited prospectively and grouped according to systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal function (nonazotemic normotensive [Non‐Azo‐NT], nonazotemic hypertensive [Non‐Azo‐HT], azotemic normotensive [Azo‐NT], azotemic hypertensive [Azo‐HT]). Changes in PRA and PAC were evaluated with antihypertensive therapy (amlodipine besylate).ResultsPlasma renin activity (ng/mL/h; P = .0013), PAC (pg/mL; P < .001), and ARR (P = 0.0062) differed significantly among groups. PRA (ng/mL/h) was significantly lower in hypertensive (Non‐Azo‐HT; n = 25, median 0.22 [25th percentile 0.09, 75th percentile 0.39], Azo‐HT; n = 44, 0.33 [0.15, 0.48]) compared with Non‐Azo‐NT cats (n = 57, 0.52 [0.28, 1.02]). Azo‐HT cats had significantly higher PAC (n = 22, 149.8 [103.1, 228.7]) than normotensive cats (Non‐Azo‐NT; n = 26, 45.4 [19.6, 65.0], Azo‐NT; n = 18, 84.1 [38.6, 137.8]). ARR was significantly higher in Azo‐HT (n = 20, 503.8 [298.8, 1511]) than Azo‐NT cats (n = 16, 97.8 [77.0, 496.4]). Significant increase in PRA was documented with antihypertensive therapy (pretreatment [n = 20] 0.32 [0.15–0.46], posttreatment 0.54 [0.28, 1.51]), but PAC did not change.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHypertensive cats demonstrate significantly increased PAC with decreased PRA. PRA significantly increases with antihypertensive therapy. Additional work is required to determine the role of plasma aldosterone concentration in the pathogenesis of hypertension and whether this relates to autonomous production or activation of RAAS without demonstrable increase in PRA.

Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System Activity in Hyperthyroid Cats with and without Concurrent Hypertension

Hypertension is present in some hyperthyroid cats at diagnosis or can develop after treatment for hyperthyroidism. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) could be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Hyperthyroid cats that develop hypertension before or after treatment for hyperthyroidism will have greater RAAS activation than normotensive cats. Ninety-nine hyperthyroid cats. Retrospective case-control study. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured in untreated hyperthyroid hypertensive cats (HT-Pre group), initially normotensive hyperthyroid cats that develop hypertension after treatment (HT-Post group), and hyperthyroid cats that are normotensive (NT group). Data are presented as median [25th, 75th percentile]. Baseline PRA was not significantly different among the 3 groups (HT-Pre group 1.50 [0.05, 2.37] ng/mL/h, HT-Post group 0.66 [0.17, 2.31] ng/mL/h, NT group 1.11 [0.57, 2.18] ng/mL/h; P = .44). PRA decreased significantly after treatment in the NT group (1.09 [0.53, 2.47] versus 0.22 [0.05, 0.76] ng/mL/h; P < .001) and the HT-Post group (0.71 [0.17, 2.33] versus 0.28 [0.07, 0.57] ng/mL/h; P = .006). Baseline PAC was not significantly different among the 3 groups (HT-Pre group 72.2 [40.0, 145.6] pg/mL, HT-Post group 69.7 [43.3, 142.6] pg/mL, NT group 109.0 [68.2, 184.6] pg/mL; P = .10). PAC decreased significantly after treatment in the NT group (114.4 [56.6, 204.1] versus 59.5 [32.4, 98.2] pg/mL; P < .001) but did not change significantly in the HT-Post group (61.2 [44.9, 124.0] versus 58.4 [42.0, 97.7] pg/mL; P = .59). RAAS activation occurs in hyperthyroid cats, but is not associated with the development of hypertension. PAC is not influenced by changes in PRA in hyperthyroid cats that develop hypertension after treatment, perhaps indicating RAAS dysfunction in these cats.

Association of urinary cadmium excretion with feline hypertension

Fifty client-owned senior cats (32 normotensive and 18 hypertensive) with renal function ranging from normal to moderately reduced were recruited into a prospective cross-sectional study exploring the association of urinary...

Cardiovascular withdrawal effects of clonidine and tiamenidine on abrupt cessation of oral treatment in conscious cats.

In conscious renal hypertensive cats prepared with permanent indwelling arterial catheters oral administration of clonidine (0.05 mg x 3 daily) clonidine (0.0125 mg x 3 daily), or tiamenidine (0.25 mg x 3 daily) induced hypotension and bradycardia during 6 days of treatment, although these responses were not well sustained. A pronounced tachycardia was demonstrated in all cats, 16-20 h after cessation of treatment with the higher dose of clonidine, however, only two cats in this group showed increased blood pressures above pre-dose levels at this time; these 'withdrawal' effects were absent 44 h after the final dose. No evidence of tachycardia, or blood pressure overshoot was seen up to 44 h after cessation of the low clonidine treatment regime, providing evidence for a dose-withdrawal effect relationship. Significant tachycardia was demonstrated in all cats 15-19 h after cessation of treatment with tiamenidine with no evidence of blood pressure elevation; the tachycardia was absent 48 h after the final dose. In four of these same cats clonidine (0.1 mg x 2 daily), in a long-acting, sustained release formulation (LA clonidine), elicited prolonged falls in blood pressure and heart rate over a 10 day period. No evidence of withdrawal effects were obtained 14-48 h after cessation of this treatment.

Changes in vascular reactivity in experimental hypertensive animals following treatment with indapamide.

Abstract Indapamide at doses of 8–16 mg kg−1 day−1, orally, lowered arterial blood pressure (9–26 mm Hg) in conscious renal hypertensive cats during a two week treatment period. The antihypertensive effect was sustained for 5–7 h after dosing and was not accompanied by reflex tachycardia. Antihypertensive responses to injection of clonidine (20 μg, i.c.v.) were significantly enhanced one week after the completion of indapamide treatment but had returned to normal two weeks later. In DOCA/saline hypertensive rats, administration of indapamide 10 mg kg−1 day−1, orally, or hydrochlorothiazide, 5 mg kg−1 day−1, intraperitoneally, for 10 days produced similar falls in blood pressure (40–45 mm Hg) as measured by an indirect method. Pressor responses to intravenous noradrenaline or tyramine or electrical stimulation of the sympathetic outflow in the pithed rat preparation were much reduced by pretreatment with indapamide (10 mg kg−1, orally) for 10 days. However, cardiovascular reactivity was unaffected by hydrochlorothiazide pretreatment (5 mg kg−1 day−1, i.p.). Isolated perfused mesenteric artery***/preparations from indapamide-treated rats showed no changes in reactivity to noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine or adenosine-5′-triphosphate from those of control DOCA/saline hypertensive rats. Isolated portal veins from rats pretreated with indapamide showed contractile responses to noradrenaline similar to those of control animals although the frequency of spontaneous contractions was reduced in the former group. The results support a vascular site of action for indapamide and suggest a mode of action different from that of hydrochlorothiazide.

The effects of paracetamol on temperature and cardiovascular changes caused by pyrogenic contamination of chronically implanted arterial cannulae in the conscious, renal hypertensive cat.

The effects of paracetamol on temperature and cardiovascular changes caused by pyrogenic contamination of chronically implanted arterial cannulae in the conscious, renal hypertensive cat.

Feline systemic hypertension: Diagnosis and management

the clinical importance of feline hypertension has been recognised for many years and most feline practitioners are quite familiar with this syndrome. Once systemic hypertension is identified, long-term management of the patient is needed to avoid catastrophic (eg, blindness due to retinal detachment) or subtle (eg, accelerated renal damage) target organ damage. feline systemic hypertension is most commonly a complication of renal disease and hyperthyroidism, both diseases of older feline patients. By 15 years of age, the probability of having at least one of these two diseases is high. As well cared for cats are living longer, optimal long-term management of feline hypertension in patients with concurrent diseases is an issue of clinical importance. obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements in patients that are anxious, fractious or just plain uncooperative remains a significant issue in feline medicine, as does confident analysis of results from these patients. careful measurement of systolic blood pressure using Doppler or oscillometric techniques in conjunction with evaluation for evidence of hypertensive choroidopathy (funduscopic examination) and hypertensive cardiac changes (thoracic auscultation) are essential to the diagnosis of systemic hypertension in cats. Other diagnostic techniques, including evaluation of renal and thyroid function, are needed to detect the underlying disease condition. numerous well-designed clinical studies have greatly advanced our understanding of the most appropriate methods of diagnosis and therapy of feline hypertension.

Effects of renal autograft ischemia and reperfusion associated with renal transplantation on arterial blood pressure variables in clinically normal cats

To evaluate the effect of renal autograft ischemia and reperfusion associated with renal transplantation on pulse rate and pressure and arterial blood pressure variables in clinically normal cats. 10 cats. A radiotelemetric implant was placed in each cat to measure hemodynamic variables; baseline data were recorded before surgery. Standard heterotopic renal implantation and contralateral nephrectomy were performed (day 0). Autografts were stored in cold sucrose phosphate solution for 30 minutes (n = 5) or 3 hours (5); cats were anephric during this period. Hemodynamic variables were recorded every 5 minutes for up to 16 days after surgery; mean daily values were calculated. Data from 6 cats were available for analysis. Two cats developed ureteral obstructions and became azotemic at 111 and 197 hours after kidney reperfusion. Mean serum creatinine and BUN concentrations were greater than baseline values on days 1 and 2. Although changes from baseline hemodynamic values were detected in some cats, arterial blood pressure measurements did not change significantly from baseline at any time point. Compared with baseline data, mean pulse rate was increased on days 1 and 2 and days 6 through 12; mean pulse pressure was increased on days 1 and 2. In clinically normal cats, hypertension was not induced by clinically relevant periods of ischemia-reperfusion injury of renal autografts and was not an inherent consequence of the transplantation process. Causes of marked posttransplantation hypertension in cats with chronic kidney disease require further investigation.

Preliminary study on the effect of medicinal mushroom extract and timolol maleate on dexamethasone induced ocular hypertension in feline's eye model

Mushrooms are like mannas and their water heal eye diseases. To determine if aqueous mushroom extract has an effect on ocular hypertension, 8 cats with baseline intra ocular pressure (IOP) of 14.94 ± 0.153mmHg were used in the first phase of this study. The second phase consisted of 2 groups, the experimental and the control groups. The control consisted of 2 cats (4 eyes) while the experimental consisted of 6 cats (12 eyes). Ocular hypertension was induced in the experimental group with 0.1% dexamethasone treatment (2 drops q.i.d x 1/12) and IOP measurement was done weekly using the Perkins hand held Tonometer. The third phase consisted of oculo hypertensive cat eyes (25.275 ± 0.363mmHg), which were further divided into control-1 and experimental group. The control-1 group (4 eyes) was left untreated, while the experimental group was divided into 2 groups, the mushroom treated (4 eyes) and timolol treated (4 eyes) for 15 days. Mushroom extract decreasel IOP below baseline level showing a significant (p < 0.001) IOP reduction of 5.24% better than the control group, while timolol was only 0.85% better.