Blood Pressure - hot under the collar

A feline-focused seminar for vet nurses, sponsored by RCW & Vetoquino.


Attendees will build confidence in accurately monitoring and interpreting feline blood pressure, recognise early signs of hypertension and understand its link to hyperthyroidism to support timely, effective nursing care.

Blood Pressure in Cats – Shannan Healey

A hands-on overview of feline blood pressure monitoring, emphasising physiology, measurement accuracy and the nursing implications for patient care. This session will help you understand not just how to take a reading, but how to interpret it meaningfully within the broader clinical picture.

Hyperthyroidism – Cassie Hodda

This presentation explores feline hyperthyroidism through a nursing lens, with emphasis on patient assessment, monitoring protocols, client education and long-term management considerations. Understanding the connection between endocrine disease and blood pressure is essential for delivering comprehensive nursing care.

Together, these sessions will strengthen your confidence in managing hypertensive and hyperthyroid feline patients.

Blood pressure abnormalities in cats can present in subtle and sometimes misleading ways. Stress, handling, pain, and underlying disease (particularly hyperthyroidism) can all influence readings. Misinterpretation may lead to delayed intervention or unnecessary escalation.

This seminar will help you refine your assessment skills, improve measurement accuracy and integrate evidence-based nursing responses into daily practice. The result is improved patient stability, reduced stress and more confident clinical decision-making.

• The physiology behind feline blood pressure regulation
• Best-practice monitoring techniques and common measurement pitfalls
• How to interpret readings in context
• Recognising early signs of hypertensive complications
• The relationship between hyperthyroidism and hypertension
• Nursing strategies for monitoring, client communication and ongoing care
• Practical interventions to support calmer, more stable feline patients

“Thank you for the wonderful day of all things cats. I am at the opposite end of my career compared with most attendees, but still like to keep in touch with new developments, even if I am just managing my two felines.” – Previous Participant

All attendees will receive a Blood Pressure Quick Reference Guide — a practical, easy-to-use tool to support confident nursing decisions in everyday clinical practice.