[Non-invasive blood pressure measurement in dogs and cats]

Bloodpressure measurements are of interest for todays veterinary practice. It can be used for screening of incoming patients, the emergency case, the intensive care patient and sedated animal. Furthermore, like in human medicine, blood pressure can be influenced by several diseases. The most reliable method of arterial blood pressure measurement is the direct or invasive method. Only the non-invasive methods doppler and oscillometric methods are used in veterinary medicine. The article describes the method of measurement, and provides a review of the literature. The oscillometric method especially in dogs. Both methods measure a lower bloodpressure if compared with an invasive method. The difference in bloodpressure is for the oscillometric method in cats greater then in dogs and appears to increase at higher blood pressures. Keeping these facts in focus, and if one is able to work in a quiet environment, repeat the measurements and maintain a critical attitude, blood pressure measurements can be performed in veterinary practice.