Benazepril Tablets, 5mg

Prescription ACE Inhibitor Tablets for Cats and Small Dogs

Product Description

Benazepril HCl 5mg Tablets are a prescription medication that sits at the centre of many treatment plans for kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure in cats, small dogs, and ferrets. It works on the blood vessel walls to ease the load on the heart and offer the kidneys some protection over time. The 5mg tablet is the smaller of the two available strengths and is the most commonly prescribed for cats and small dogs. It is particularly valued in cats with chronic kidney disease, where it has shown a meaningful ability to reduce protein loss in the urine and slow disease progression.

Benefits

• Standard Feline CKD Dose: The 5mg tablet is the most commonly prescribed ACE inhibitor strength for cats with chronic kidney disease requiring once-daily proteinuria reduction.
• Proteinuria Reduction in Cats: Reduces protein loss in the urine by lowering pressure within the kidney's filtering units, helping slow the decline of kidney function in cats.
• Blood Pressure Lowering: Brings systemic hypertension down in cats and small dogs by relaxing peripheral blood vessels through ACE enzyme blockade.
• Congestive Heart Failure Management: Eases pressure in the blood vessels to reduce the strain on the heart in small dogs and cats with heart failure.
• Once-Daily Administration Convenience: Most cats and small dogs need only one tablet each day, keeping long-term treatment as straightforward as possible for pet owners.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Benazepril Hydrochloride 5mg

How to Use

Benazepril HCl 5mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product.

Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet.

Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet.

Tucking it inside a soft pill pocket or wrapping it in a pill wrap treat is one of the easiest ways to make the whole process stress-free.

Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs | Shop Pill Pockets for Cats

Additional Information

Precautions

• Never Stop Abruptly: Cutting this medication off without a proper step-down plan can bring on a dangerous spike in blood pressure, so any changes must be made with your vet's guidance.
• Avoid With Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Pairing benazepril with spironolactone or potassium supplements without monitoring can push potassium levels to a dangerous degree.
• Caution in Kidney Disease: Kidney function needs close monitoring at the start of treatment, as creatinine levels can rise temporarily when benazepril is first introduced.
• Caution in Liver Disease: Benazepril relies on the liver to convert it into its working form, so significant hepatic disease may reduce how effectively it performs.
• Avoid in Pregnancy: ACE inhibitors are known to cause serious harm to developing fetuses and must not be given to pregnant animals under any circumstances.
• Known Allergy Contraindication: Do not give to any pet with a confirmed sensitivity to benazepril or other ACE inhibitor medications.
• Check for Drug Interactions: Let your vet know if your pet is currently taking NSAIDs, diuretics, other blood pressure medications, or potassium supplements before starting benazepril.

Possible Side Effects

• Hypotension: Some pets feel weak or unsteady when treatment begins or when the dose is adjusted upward during management.
• Elevated Potassium: Potassium can build up in the bloodstream during treatment, posing a higher concern in cats with kidney disease or those on certain diuretics.
• Vomiting and Digestive Upset: Stomach upset may show up early in treatment and tends to ease once the tablet is given consistently with a meal.
• Elevated Kidney Values: Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine readings may nudge upward after starting benazepril, making routine bloodwork an important part of ongoing management.
• Serious Allergic Reactions: Swelling around the face, laboured breathing, or sudden collapse warrant emergency veterinary care without any delay.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature Storage: Store tablets in a tightly closed container away from heat and humidity, keeping conditions stable and consistent between doses.
• Protect from Moisture and Light: A dark, dry storage location away from direct sunlight is the best way to keep these tablets at their full strength.
• Keep Out of Reach: Always store this medication somewhere secure and out of reach of children and untreated pets.

Note: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is benazepril 5mg commonly prescribed for cats with kidney disease?

Ans: The 5mg tablet is a practical fit for most cats with chronic kidney disease because it can be given whole or split depending on what the vet determines is the right amount for that particular cat. Getting kidney disease under control early with the right dose makes a real difference to how the condition progresses. Your vet will work out the correct amount based on your cat's weight, kidney values, and blood pressure.

Q2: How does benazepril help cats with chronic kidney disease specifically?

Ans: In cats with kidney disease, pressure inside the tiny filtering units of the kidneys tends to rise, which drives protein into the urine and accelerates the damage. Benazepril helps ease that internal pressure, reducing protein loss and giving the remaining healthy kidney tissue a better chance of holding on longer. Regular monitoring of kidney values and urine protein helps track how well it is working.

Q3: Can benazepril 5mg be given to ferrets with heart disease?

Ans: Benazepril is used off-label in ferrets for conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertension, but ferrets handle medications differently from cats and dogs, so this really needs to be managed by a vet with solid exotic animal experience. Always give your vet a full picture of your ferret's health history and anything else they are currently taking before starting treatment.

Q4: What conditions in cats most commonly require benazepril 5mg?

Ans: Cats with chronic kidney disease are the most frequent candidates for benazepril, particularly when protein is showing up in the urine. High blood pressure and congestive heart failure are two other conditions where it is regularly prescribed in cats. Your vet will confirm whether benazepril is the right fit based on your cat's bloodwork, blood pressure readings, and overall health status.

Q5: What dietary considerations are important for pets on benazepril?

Ans: Keeping potassium intake in check matters for pets on benazepril, since the medication already affects how the body handles potassium and adding more through food or supplements can push levels too high. A lower-sodium diet is often part of the picture for pets with heart failure as well. Your vet will point you toward the most appropriate dietary approach for your pet's specific condition.