Which type of Doppler machine is recommended to check for blood pressure in pets?

Original Question: Hi! Do you have blood pressure equipment in your office? I have needed it in the past for an elderly cat. I was monitoring her pressure but her medication failed and she ended up going blind. I took her to a clinic (not her regular as it was closed) but they did not have a Doppler and we did not realize at the time her pressure skyrocketed and she suffered detached retinas. I now have two 12-year-old cats and my vet does not have one. One cat has a heart murmur (that’s why my past vet checked the pressure of my old cat!) so I want to check her pressure as well and I am going to a second vet to do so. My vet and I have spoken about the clinic getting a Doppler and she says she is looking for one but hasn't found the right one to buy. I know they are limited in function. She said they are not all that expensive? $1-300? Maybe more? I was thinking to get this accomplished I might offer to donate one if she would finally purchase it! So I am wondering if you have one in your clinic and what model type? Or if there was one you would recommend? Thank you for any advice or information you might pass my way! Two cats: Madi and Skater and a Border Collie: Twist. Have a great day!! - Ida

Jul 17, 2017

Hi Ida,

Many vet clinics have and use a Doppler which is more of a direct blood pressure measurement and preferred by many veterinarians for ease of use and relatively inexpensive cost. There are some oscillometric or other methods which have a higher cost but have other advantages. Our clinic has the basic Doppler machine (only one model I know of which your veterinarian should be able to price out from their supplier).