Prescription required! Fortekor Flavour is used for the treatment of heart failure in dogs. The active ingredient is benazepril. After oral administration benazepril is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and hydrolysed into benazeprilat a highly specific and potent inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). FORTEKOR FLAVOUR produces significant inhibition of plasma ACE activity for more than 24 hours after a single dose in dogs. Inhibition of ACE leads to reduced conversion of inactive angiotensin I into angiotensin II and therefore reduction in the effects mediated by angiotensin II including vasoconstriction of both arteries and veins retention of sodium and water by the kidney and remodelling effects (including pathological cardiac hypertrophy and degenerative renal changes). In dogs with heart failure FORTEKOR FLAVOUR lowers the blood pressure and volume loading on the heart. FORTEKOR FLAVOUR leads to a significant extension of the life span of dogs with heart failure and also improves clinical signs notably reduction in coughing and improvement of the quality of life. Benazeprilat is excreted equally by both biliary and urinary routes in dogs. Fortekor Dosage and administration Fortekor is used for Heart failure in dogs The recommended dose is 0.25-0.5 mg benazepril hydrochloride/kg bodyweight to be given orally once daily according to the tabulated heart failure dosage regime: Heart failure dosage regime Fortekor Flavour 5 Fortekor Flavour 20 Weight of dog (kg) Standard dose Double dose Standard dose Double dose 5 - 10 0.5 tablet 1 tablet 11 - 20 1 tablet 2 tablets 21 - 40 0.5 tablet 1 tablet 41 - 80 1 tablet 2 tablets FORTEKOR FLAVOUR can be given with or without food. The duration of treatment is unlimited. The dose may be doubled still administered once daily if judged clinically necessary and advised by the veterinary surgeon. When the 10 mg dose is required veterinary surgeons should consider administering two 5 mg tablets to limit the use of half tablets. FORTEKOR FLAVOUR may be given in combination with digoxin diuretics and anti-arrhythmic drugs as necessary.