Enalapril

Enalapril is an FDA-approved drug for use in dogs with heart and/or kidney problems. The veterinary medicine helps the small blood vessels to vasodilate, or in simpler terms, relax. The vasodilation of blood vessels makes blood circulation easier, thus reducing blood pressure and the load on the heart. Apart from this, Enalapril is used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure in dogs. The medication is usually administered along with other heart medications like beta-blockers or diuretics. When the required formulation or dosage is not available through a manufacturer, it can be compounded by a specialty pharmacy.

Enalapril should show effects within the first couple of hours in dogs. However, the results of the medication will not be visibly evident in your pet. You'll need to get some laboratory tests to determine if the medicine worked or not. Moreover, for the medication to be effective, it has to be administered correctly. In dogs, Enalapril is usually administered orally through a tablet or syrup. In severe cases, it's also given intravenously through an injection in a clinical setup. There's no rule about whether the pet parent should give the medication with or without meals. However, if your dog throws up after dosing without a meal, ensure to feed with a meal next time. Lastly, make sure that plenty of water is available for your dog when on this medication, and don't stop the treatment abruptly.

Yes, while Enalapril is used off-label for many animals like cats, ferrets, and birds to treat certain conditions, it's FDA-approved to be used on dogs. The medication, which is an ACE inhibitor, is also available under brands names like Enacard, Vasotec, Reniten, and Xanef. This means it's used to treat proteinuria, hypertension, and heart failure in dogs. Additionally, the medication is also used to treat chronic kidney disease in dogs.

For dogs, the usual dosage of Enalapril is capped at 0.25mg per pound of body weight. You should give the medication only once every day. The drug is available in various dosages like 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets. You need to follow your veterinarian's instructions very vigilantly. Usually, vets adjust the dosage of the medication after observing your dog's reaction to the treatment. When your dog is on Enalapril treatment, ensure that there's plenty of drinking water available for them to drink. One of the known side effects of Enalapril is dehydration, which may cause extremely low blood pressure and even kidney failure.

There are several potential side effects of Enalapril in dogs ranging from mild to profound. Some of the side effects include weakness, drowsiness, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Therefore, if your dog appears to be lazy or sleepy, it's a side effect of the medication. If your dog is lethargic for a prolonged duration and is drained, consult your bet immediately. Some of these side effects may cause life-threatening conditions like kidney failure or an unsafe drop in blood pressure.

Congestive heart failure or CHF refers to the condition where the heart cannot circulate enough blood to the body. The most common sign of CHF is continuous coughing along with troubled breathing. This is caused by the fluids in the lung or pulmonary edema. The swollen heart pushes against the trachea, which causes irritation and induces a cough. Dogs suffering from CHF tend to get tired quickly, suffer a lack of stamina, and wouldn't enjoy playtime or walks like days of past. Therefore, you should not force your dog to continue straining physical activities like running or walking. Instead, limit the walk distance to manage weight without stressing the heart.

Enalapril is a prescription drug to be administered only to the animal for which it has been prescribed. Stick to the exact instructions of the vet to avoid any complications in your dog's health. Dogs on Enalapril require frequent monitoring of various health aspects like blood chemistry, blood pressure, and kidney function. Even though the medication is also used to treat chronic kidney failures sometimes, reports have revealed that it might worsen any underlying kidney issues in some cases. Since the drug is eliminated from the body through the kidney, dogs with impaired kidney function are at a higher risk.

Enalapril comes in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets, and the ideal dosage for dogs is 0.25mg per pound of body weight. Therefore, it's normal to split Enalapril tablets to achieve the exact dosage. Moreover, cutting the medication in half doesn't affect the potency in any way, so that's there.