what is involved in a blood pressure check visit?

Susie will call before the appointment to go through some questions, for example do they hide from new people? Do they have a favourite treat? This will help Susie understand the best way to engage with your cat.

The first appointment will help Susie assess your cat's reaction to her and the equipment that will be used to check their blood pressure. Some cats will happily have their blood pressure checked first time; others need to feel comfortable with Susie and the equipment. 

Susie will have made a plan following the first visit, there are 2 different blood pressure machines Susie uses they both work differently. Each will suit different cat’s, and Susie will gauge their response to her and their behaviour to determine which may suit them better ensuring they are as calm and settled as possible is key for getting as accurate a reading as possible.

 Once Susie has got the blood pressure results, she will send them over to your cat’s veterinary practice for the veterinary surgeon to check them and assess if further checks or treatment is needed. The vet will discuss the results with you; Susie cannot diagnose or discuss the results it needs to be your cat’s vet who does that.

Once you have spoken with your vet Susie will then confirm follow up check's timings with the vet and then chat with you to arrange the follow up blood pressure checks.

A blood pressure cuff is placed around one of their legs or the base of their tail. 

The Dopplar blood pressure machine means Susie will have headphones on and place a probe with some lube on the tail or paw next to the cuff; to listen to their pulse. Susie then inflates the blood pressure cuff, she will listen for the sound of their pulse to stop and then as she deflates the cuff the reading is at the point she hears their pulse again.

The Suntec DCIM is a more hands off approach, once the cuff is attached a button is pressed and it inflates the cuff and takes the measurement. For this one the cat needs to stay relatively still.

Susie will talk you through the process when she is setting everything up.