Trade name for Benazepril Hydrochloride. This is a potent ACE inhibitor. It lowers blood pressure and therefore decreases the amount of work the heart has to do to pump blood around the body. This is useful in pretty well all heart conditions except in low blood pressure where obviously it would make things worse. Low blood pressure is a very unusual cause of trouble but Fortekor must not be used in cases of out-put failure related to aortic stenosis. The drug is much used and is proven to lengthen life expectancy in some types of heart failure.
Kidney failure in cats results in increased kidney fibrosis which results in an increase in blood pressure. Increase in blood pressure results in increased fibrosis – i.e. a vicious circle is established. Reduction in blood pressure is undoubtedly good for the long term health of the kidneys and Fortekor is much used and very useful in feline kidney trouble.
