Vet Guide to Benazepril in 2025 🐾

Hi, I’m Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc—founder of Ask A Vet. This comprehensive 2025 guide explores benazepril: a trusted ACE‑inhibitor used off‑label to support heart failure, hypertension, and kidney issues in dogs and cats. We’ll cover how it works, dosing, side effects, monitoring, contraindications, and real-life case scenarios. Let’s dive in! ❤️

📘 What Is Benazepril?

Benazepril is an **ACE-inhibitor** that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to II, causing blood vessel relaxation, reduced blood pressure, and decreased workload on the heart and kidneys :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. It’s FDA-approved in humans (Lotensin®) but widely used off-label in veterinary medicine under names like Fortekor® :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

✅ Common Veterinary Uses

• **Congestive heart failure** in dogs and cats to ease symptoms and slow progression :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• **Hypertension** in both species—helps lower systemic blood pressure :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• **Chronic kidney disease & proteinuria**—reduces protein leakage and protects renal function :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

📐 Dosing & Administration

🐶 Dogs

• 0.25–0.5 mg/kg orally, once or twice daily (≈0.12–0.25 mg/lb) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Some cases may require up to 1 mg/kg daily, often divided :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

🐱 Cats

• 0.2–0.5 mg/kg once daily—especially in CKD or proteinuria :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Can be given with or without food—food helps reduce stomach upset :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🕐 How Quickly It Works

Benazepril begins acting within 1–2 hours, but clinical and renal improvements appear over days to weeks :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

⚠️ Side Effects & Precautions

• **Common:** mild GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite), lethargy, dizziness due to low blood pressure :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• **Less common:** hypotension, incoordination, elevated potassium, changes in kidney values :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• **Caution in:** hypovolemia, acute renal injury, hyponatremia, pregnant or lactating pets, and severe heart failure :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• **Serious:** collapse, anaphylactoid reactions—rare but critical

🔗 Drug Interactions

• Concurrent use with **diuretics, amlodipine, beta-blockers**—increased risk of hypotension :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• **Potassium-sparing diuretics/supplements** may cause hyperkalemia :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• **NSAIDs** can reduce kidney blood flow—avoid or use caution :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Generally safe with pimobendan, furosemide, digoxin, antiarrhythmics :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

🩺 Monitoring & Follow-Up

• Recheck blood pressure, BUN/creatinine, and electrolytes ~1–2 weeks after starting or dose change :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Then monitor every 1–3 months, more frequently in high-risk patients
• Monitor appetite, drinking, urination, energy, and overall comfort
• Urinalysis with UPC recommended in cases of proteinuria :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

⏳ Missed Dose & Overdose

• Missed dose? Administer if remembered soon; otherwise skip and resume regular schedule :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
• Overdose risk: severe hypotension, collapse—seek emergency vet or Poison Helpline :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

🏡 Real-Life Case Scenarios

🐶 Dog with CHF & Hypertension

• Start benazepril 0.5 mg/kg once daily; combine with furosemide and pimobendan
• Recheck BP and kidney values in 1–2 weeks; adjust as needed

🐱 Cat with CKD & Proteinuria

• Administer 0.3 mg/kg daily; monitor UPC and SP levels
• Expect decreased proteinuria and stable kidney values over months

❓ FAQs

Can I use only benazepril for high BP?

Yes, especially in mild cases—but severe hypertension often needs a second drug like amlodipine :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.

How long before it works?

Action starts in 1–2 hours, but clinical benefits and lab improvements take days to weeks.

Can it reverse kidney disease?

No—benazepril supports kidney function and slows protein loss, but does not reverse CKD.

Is it safe lifelong?

Yes—with proper monitoring and adjustments, it's often used long-term in heart/kidney pets.

📌 Final Takeaways

• Benazepril is a trusted ACE-inhibitor for managing heart failure, hypertension, and proteinuria in dogs and cats.
• Typical dosage: dogs 0.25–0.5 mg/kg q12–24 h; cats 0.2–0.5 mg/kg q24 h.
• Well tolerated, but watch for GI upset, low blood pressure, and kidney function changes.
• Monitor bloodwork and BP regularly, especially after starting or adjusting dose.
• Avoid dehydration, NSAIDs, and potassium supplements; adjust therapy in vulnerable patients.

Need help managing your pet’s heart or kidney condition with benazepril? Download the Ask A Vet app for personalized guidance, veterinary monitoring tools, and 24/7 expert support. Your pet’s health is our priority! 🐾❤️