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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Veterinarians prescribe amlodipine to lower high systemic blood pressure in cats. Published veterinary references give oral dose ranges and call for gradual adjustment with blood pressure checks, but the dose, the schedule, and any change to either belong to the veterinarian who examines your cat. The sections below explain what the published figures mean, which side effects to expect, and when to call a clinic without delay.
What amlodipine does in cats
Amlodipine is a calcium-channel blocker. The Merck Veterinary Manual says it is used to reduce systemic blood pressure in cats and describes it as the drug of choice for feline hypertension. It can be used alongside an ACE inhibitor or telmisartan when the veterinarian judges that combination appropriate.
Blood pressure matters because sustained hypertension can damage organs, including the eyes, kidneys, and brain. VCA Animal Hospitals describes treatment as aimed at preventing that damage.
Published dose ranges and how to read them
Merck Veterinary Manual lists several feline doses. They look different because they describe different situations, so they are not interchangeable, and none of them is an instruction for home use.
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| Reference | Context | Dose unit | Dose listed | Interval | Titration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Therapy of Cardiovascular Disease in Animals (long-term) | Long-term management | mg/kg | Starting dose 0.125 mg/kg orally | Every 24 hours | Slow weekly increases up to 0.5 mg/kg |
| Principles of Therapy of Cardiovascular Disease in Animals (acute) | Acute treatment | mg/kg | 0.125–0.25 mg/kg orally | Every 24 hours | Titrated to a maximum of 0.6 mg/kg (2.5 mg per cat) |
| Table: Cardiac Medications of Dogs and Cats | Not stated | mg per cat | 0.625–1.25 mg orally | Every 12–24 hours | Not stated |
| Vasoactive Drugs for Use in Animals | Feline effective range; start low and titrate to the clinical endpoint | mg per cat | 0.625–1.25 mg orally | Every 12–24 hours | Titrate to effect while monitoring for hypotension |
The mg/kg figures scale with body weight, while the per-cat figures are fixed amounts, so they cannot be swapped for one another. The 2.5 mg per cat ceiling belongs to acute titration. It is a maximum, not a routine target. Merck’s pharmacology guidance also notes that doses may need to be lower when amlodipine is combined with other drugs that dilate arteries.
Side effects and warning signs
Common effects
VCA Animal Hospitals lists the following as possible side effects in cats:
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- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Sleepiness
The sources do not give how often each of these occurs, so a cat showing one of them should be reported to the veterinarian rather than judged against a rate.
Gum overgrowth
Merck Veterinary Manual reports gingival hyperplasia, an overgrowth of gum tissue, in cats and dogs taking this drug.
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Serious signs
- A very low or very fast heart rate
- Collapse
- Suspected overdose or any suspected adverse reaction
VCA directs owners who see a very low or very fast heart rate or collapse to stop the medication and contact the veterinarian immediately. A suspected overdose or adverse reaction also calls for an immediate call to a veterinary office. Low blood pressure (hypotension) is the effect Merck says to watch for during dose titration.
Monitoring during treatment
VCA says a veterinarian may check blood pressure regularly to see how the cat is responding and to adjust the dose. Eye examinations and potassium levels may also be monitored. The references do not set a fixed recheck schedule; the veterinarian decides timing based on the individual cat.
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- 【Silent with Alert】Provides precise, quiet measurements without disturbing your pet. Includes an intelligent Irregular heartbeat Alert, which is especially helpful for monitoring senior pets such as dog, cat, horse, rabbit, pig or other animals.
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Giving amlodipine at home
- Measure liquid formulations carefully.
- Do not double a missed dose.
- Do not stop the medicine or change the dose without the veterinarian’s direction.
- If vomiting follows a dose given on an empty stomach, ask the veterinarian whether future doses should be given with food. VCA notes this option.
Whether to use a tablet or a liquid, and how it should be measured, is a prescribing decision made by the veterinarian.
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