[Interrelation between the degree of a chronic renal insufficiency and/or systemic hypertension and ocular changes in cats].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the degree of renal insufficiency and/or high blood pressure in cats with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is related to the degree of change in the fundus and whether there are differences in blood pressure between the different accompanying diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In cats with CRI and/or hypertensive retinopathy and healthy cats, the following examinations were carried out: physical examination, ophthalmic examination, measurement of the blood pressure using Doppler ultrasonography, complete blood count, serum biochemical analyses, including serum thyroxine (T4) concentration, urinalysis and ultrasonography of the heart and abdomen.

RESULTS

A total of 69 diseased and 24 healthy cats were examined. 53/69 cats displayed changes of the fundus, 17/69 cats had uveitis and 4/69 had hyphaema. Cats of the control group had no ocular changes and a mean systolic blood pressure of 13 ± 6.7 mmHg, which was not related to age. The degree of the CRI was negligibly negatively correlated with the degree of fundic changes and blood pressure. The blood pressure was significantly positively correlated with the degree of fundus changes and age. Cats with systemic hypertension, which only suffered from CRI, had a significantly lower blood pressure than cats with an additional left ventricular hypertrophy or only a left ventricular hypertrophy, hyperthyroidism or primary hypertension.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

According to the results of the present study, the degree of the CRI is not a reliable prognostic factor for the development and the degree of fundic change. The blood pressure in hypertensive cats with CRI without additional diseases is lower compared to hypertensive cats with CRI and left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular hypertrophy alone, hyperthyroidism or primary hypertension.