Research Communications of the 24th ECVIM-CA Congress

Seventy-seven client-owned cats were included in the study (mean age 14 years). The study was randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, and consisted of two phases. In the blinded phase, 42 cats received 0.125 mg/kg amlodipine once daily for 14 days. If they responded the dose remained the same to day 28. For non-responders, the dose was increased to 0.25 mg/kg. Thirty-five cats received placebo following the same protocol. Arterial blood pressure was measured using a high definition oscillometry method. At day 28 a responder was defined as a cat showing a decrease of SBP to ≤ 150 mmHg or a decrease from baseline of at least 15%. After 28 days all cats continued with amlodipine for 2-3 months in an open phase with the placebo cats repeating the same dose escalation protocol as in the blinded phase.