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Enalapril

About Enalapril for Pets

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM
Enalapril

Your pet’s health & wellness are always a priority, and a diagnosis like heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease can be very scary. If you’ve consulted veterinary services, you’ve likely heard the name enalapril—or perhaps it has already been prescribed for your pet, and you want to learn more. We’ll help you get started in your research about pet meds like enalapril, and you can consult your veterinarian for more answers. 

What is enalapril?

Enalapril is used to treat heart, blood and kidney diseases in dogs, cats and other small pets. It’s mainly prescribed for congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs. It can also be used to treat chronic kidney failure. 

Enalapril does not cure these conditions, but it can prolong you and your pet’s time together and increase their quality of life. It’s a strong medication and one of the most effective for these diseases, especially when used in conjunction with other cardiac medications. It’s only available from Petco’s pet pharmacy with a prescription from your veterinarian. Enalapril for cats and dogs can also be prescribed under the brand names Enacard and Vasotec. 

How does enalapril work?

One of the most potent cardiovascular drugs, enalapril falls into the ACE inhibitor family. It helps limit angiotensin-converting enzymes and prevents them from creating angiotensin II—a hormone that constricts blood vessels. What does this all mean?

Enalapril’s veterinary use helps relax and widen your pet’s blood vessels by preventing the creation of angiotensin II. This means more blood can flow through them, decreasing blood pressure and resulting in increased oxygen to their vital organs and reduced stress on their hearts.

How long does it take for enalapril to work?

Enalapril starts working quickly. You may notice it take effect within an hour, but it usually takes up to six hours to reach its peak performance. The effects last about 24 hours. However, your pet may not show visible signs of improvement until they’ve been taking it for several weeks to several months, depending on their diagnosed condition.

If enalapril is taken for high blood pressure, your dog may never show visible signs of improvement. Instead, your veterinarian will likely perform lab tests to ensure it’s working properly.

What’s the right enalapril dosage?

Always consult your veterinarian about the proper enalapril dosage, which will depend on the severity of your pet’s illness, their size and other factors. In general, enalapril is prescribed at 0.25 mg per pound of body weight and is given every 12–24 hours, which means 5 mg of enalapril would be prescribed for a 20-lb. canine, 10 mg would be appropriate for a 40-lb. dog and 20 mg would be suitable for an 80-lb. dog. However, the right dose for your pet may be lower or higher. Your vet also may start your pet on a lower dose and slowly increase it to the therapeutic range so the effects on the heart are not too much at once.

A higher dosage of enalapril may be prescribed for pets suffering from congestive heart failure or severe hypertension. What kind of dosage is too much? Anything more than the amount or frequency prescribed by your veterinarian could be too much. Always follow their instructions on how much to give your pet and how often.

How do I give my pet enalapril?

Enalapril comes in both tablet and liquid form. The liquid form is usually only given in a hospital setting via injection. When you administer enalapril at home, you’ll likely give it orally in tablet form. Some pets may experience vomiting if given on an empty stomach, so you may want to pair it with food or a treat. Always make sure your pet has fresh water available.

What if you miss a dose? If not much time has passed, you can still give it to your pet—but if it’s within a few hours of when the next dose should be given, you can skip the missed one. It’s recommended not to give your pet two doses at once or too close together.

Depending on your pet’s diagnosis, you may provide enalapril with other medications such as the diuretic furosemide or the antiarrhythmics pimobendan or digoxin, which are used to support cardiac contractility. If your pet is prescribed enalapril for kidney failure, your veterinarian may also put them on veterinary cat food or dog food.

What are the side effects of enalapril?

When it comes to pet meds, enalapril is a relatively powerful drug, but it is considered okay to use with your veterinarian’s supervision. The most common side effects in dogs and cats are vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Giving enalapril with food can help, but consult your vet if enalapril is making your dog sick. More severe side effects include fever, dizziness and fainting. Some pets show lethargy when beginning the medication, but that normally resolves over time.

If too much enalapril is given, it can result in low blood pressure and kidney damage or failure. These side effects are extremely rare but are more likely in  cats. This is why your veterinarian will likely monitor your pet’s blood values, and you should always tell them about any unusual symptoms.

What are the risk factors for enalapril?

Enalapril shouldn’t be given to pregnant or lactating pets, and caution should be used when giving it to pets with liver or kidney disease. Administering too much can contribute to kidney failure and cause blood pressure to drop dangerously low. Always make sure your veterinarian knows about these pre-existing conditions, as well as other heart conditions, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Enalapril may also react adversely with some drugs, while others can decrease efficacy. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is on any other ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS, potassium supplements, corticosteroids or anticoagulants. Even if your pet isn’t taking other medications, your veterinarian will most likely want to regularly measure their kidney values, electrolytes and urine protein levels. If your vet prescribes enalapril for hypertension, they will likely also monitor blood pressure.

How long does enalapril stay fresh?

Your enalapril medication will come with a clearly marked expiration date. Because enalapril is often taken long term, your pet may require multiple refills. To help ensure your enalapril remains in good condition, store tablets at room temperature in a tightly sealed container away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of all pets and children.

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