In feline hypertensive chorioretinopathy, which treatment is commonly used?

• A. Amlodipine +/- other drugs
• B. Amlodipine alone
• C. ACE inhibitors
• D. Beta blockers

Answer: (A)

Controlling systemic hypertension is essential to prevent or reverse feline hypertensive chorioretinopathy. Amlodipine is the drug of choice for feline hypertension because it reliably lowers blood pressure with convenient once-daily dosing and good tolerance. In practice, amlodipine is often used as the main therapy, but many cats require additional antihypertensive agents to reach the target blood pressure, hence the approach of amlodipine plus or minus other drugs. ACE inhibitors or beta blockers can be used in some cases, but they’re not as consistently effective as monotherapy for achieving BP control in cats, and they’re less commonly the sole or primary treatment. The emphasis is on lowering the blood pressure to protect the retina and other organs.