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Benazepril (Fortekor) Dose

J

Julia123

Warren Veteran
Hi

Please can anyone who has a rabbit on this drug tell me what your dose is and the reasons for being on it.

I'm asking as I have conflicting information from different sources. I WILL NOT be changing my dose on your answers, but discussing findings with my vet.

The dose rate I have from the Text Book of Rabbit Medicine V2 Molly Varga is 0.05mg per KG, the information I have found on her suggests many are using a much higher dose.

Example here http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?255822-Administering-Fortekor


Many Thanks

Julia
 
Thanks Jane, this is why I am confused the dose rate I have is totally different at 0.05mg per kg

I have a 2.7kg rabbit on 1/8 of a tablet and been advised this is maximum dose. My vet has advised this on 2 sources, she is trying to find out more.

We do not have definitive diagnosis as I do not believe he is stable enough for an X ray. He has rapid belly breathing and has been on Septrin for 7 days then Ronaxan for 20 with no effect. He sometimes hiccups/coughs but other than the rapid belly movement he has no other signs. Dry nose and paws. Active, alert, plays, binkies, eats, poops.

So thoughts were, rather than infection - tumour or heart - hence trying the ACE inhibitor.
 
Julia123 said:
Thanks Jane, this is why I am confused the dose rate I have is totally different at 0.05mg per kg

I have a 2.7kg rabbit on 1/8 of a tablet and been advised this is maximum dose. My vet has advised this on 2 sources, she is trying to find out more.

We do not have definitive diagnosis as I do not believe he is stable enough for an X ray. He has rapid belly breathing and has been on Septrin for 7 days then Ronaxan for 20 with no effect. He sometimes hiccups/coughs but other than the rapid belly movement he has no other signs. Dry nose and paws. Active, alert, plays, binkies, eats, poops.

So thoughts were, rather than infection - tumour or heart - hence trying the ACE inhibitor.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for your bun.

Has he had a blood test to confirm kidney failure? I have had rabbits on Fortekor for two different reasons - kidney failure and heart failure, and found the dose differs as to the diagnosis.
 
Julia123 said:
No, Jane - what were you thinking?

MightyMAx, no blood tests no as we are thinking heart not kidneys
Click to expand...

A mass within the chest cavity- eg a Thymoma- can cause the symptoms you describe, along with 'bulging eyes' when the Rabbit puts his head down or gets stressed. The Rabbits I have had who were diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure had the increased respiratory rate and/or effort. They appeared perfectly well within themselves initially too.

With CRF there would probably not be respiratory symptoms, more likely would be an increased water intake and urine output, unexplained weightloss etc.

Hope your Vet can help your Bun, it's such a worry when we dont know exactly what's wrong. I'm usually my own worst enemy in those situations and I tend to panic about 'worst case scenarios' before I actually have the facts. Thankfully my Vet knows what I'm like in that respect !!
 
Jack's-Jane said:
A mass within the chest cavity- eg a Thymoma- can cause the symptoms you describe, along with 'bulging eyes' when the Rabbit puts his head down or gets stressed. The Rabbits I have had who were diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure had the increased respiratory rate and/or effort. They appeared perfectly well within themselves initially too.

With CRF there would probably not be respiratory symptoms, more likely would be an increased water intake and urine output, unexplained weightloss etc.

Hope your Vet can help your Bun, it's such a worry when we dont know exactly what's wrong. I'm usually my own worst enemy in those situations and I tend to panic about 'worst case scenarios' before I actually have the facts. Thankfully my Vet knows what I'm like in that respect !!
Click to expand...

I'm a flapper too and my vet know it also!

I've noticed him drinking more, although not significant amounts. I'm just so confused about the dose - he's 2.7kg (NZW cross) and on 0.32mg which by what Ive read is no where near enough. Vet says if that dose is ineffective then we are back to considering an Xray. In my opinion that is a bad idea if there is the potential for a heart condition. He is very very skitty so there is no chance of a conscious, his RR increases by about 30% just from the vet trip. So, I need to know that we have given the Fortekor a chance at its correct dose. I was also considering whether frusol might help but one drug at a time...

ETA yes I've considered the possibility of Thyoma also, but again.... X ray.... GA for surgery (if possible) if it was..... all risks at this stage
 
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Jack's-Jane said:
An echocardiogram may be possible without sedation.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have found a link from Googling that, so I can ask my vet about that.


I just wish I could confirm this dose! In a post from yourself in 2010 you mentioned your rabbit Eddie had half a tablet, which seems to be what most rabbits have for heart issues.... my bun is above average size and on 1/4 that dose :?
 
Julia123 said:
Thanks for that. I am stumped I honestly don't know which way to go with this :-(
Click to expand...

It sounds as though you have a good relationship with your Vet, so I am sure that having another discussion with her about possible options will help. As I mentioned before, I know how stressful it is to not know exactly what is wrong.

If your Vet has not already done so then maybe a call to the Rabbit Clinic up in Edinburgh could be useful :

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departm...ic-animal-and-wildlife/rabbit-clinic/overview
 
I had sox on fortekor but his was due to kidney disease I lost him In August sadly :cry:, but as soon as he started the meds, he really picked up, he had almost a good 2years extra with the help of the meds, I can't remember his dose now as I threw the med bottle away, I think it was 0.05 he was 1.1kg at his best, he was a mini lop, our vets made his meds up into a liquid form to make it easier for us to give him his daily medication each day by syringe

hope you can get your bunny stable and feeling alittle better x
 
Thanks Jane, yes I do and they are very good. The partner there is particularly helpful and open to discussion. The vet I spoke to today did say they she would get some other opinions on the dose rate for me. I called Holmes chapel today and they said to get my vet to call Molly on one of the days she is in. I will also suggest **** vet.

Mini Lop, sorry to hear you lost Sox, but glad the meds gave you extra time with him and I'm sure helped him feel much better. I crush the tablet, dissolve in about 0.4ml of water and then syringe into a fruited Shredded Wheat bite size - he gobbles it up no problem! One of the best tips I've ever been given!

In more positive news, he still hugely perky and supervised tonight's clean outs along with his Mrs. Bowls flying everywhere and much nose bonking and binkying. So for now I know hes happy, but I also know there is something not right that I need to get to the bottom of.

Thank you x
 
It's some reassurance that he's feeling well just now, and you have a little time to make adjustments and for your vet to seek another opinion.

Good luck :wave:
 
MightyMax said:
It's some reassurance that he's feeling well just now, and you have a little time to make adjustments and for your vet to seek another opinion.

Good luck :wave:
Click to expand...

Thank you, if it wasn't for his belly movements and occasional dry sneeze you would never know anything was wrong. He and wifey are tucking into a bowl of Timmy and birch bark forage right now :)
 
Julia123 said:
Thank you, if it wasn't for his belly movements and occasional dry sneeze you would never know anything was wrong. He and wifey are tucking into a bowl of Timmy and birch bark forage right now :)
Click to expand...

The 'dry sneezes' is another thing all my 'Cardiac Rabbits' did. I know that it may be of little consolation but all my Rabbits who were diagnosed with heart disease remained 'feeling well within themselves' right to the very end. Not one of them went off their food. They continued to be interested in everything going on around them and they interacted with their Rabbit friends as normal. They did rest more as the disease progressed. But it was a 'peaceful resting', if you know what I mean.

Sending lots of vibes for your lovely lad :love:
 
Jack's-Jane said:
The 'dry sneezes' is another thing all my 'Cardiac Rabbits' did. I know that it may be of little consolation but all my Rabbits who were diagnosed with heart disease remained 'feeling well within themselves' right to the very end. Not one of them went off their food. They continued to be interested in everything going on around them and they interacted with their Rabbit friends as normal. They did rest more as the disease progressed. But it was a 'peaceful resting', if you know what I mean.

Sending lots of vibes for your lovely lad :love:
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes that is good to know. All the outward signs lean towards cardiac, at least from the research I've done, not least that he's a NZW cross. I just wish I could get the dose confirmed! If I dont hear from my vet today I will call them tomorrow and ask them to speak to Molly and the **** Vet. I've emailed another rabbit vet I know who is out of my area, hoping she mails me back too.

Thought you might like to see him?

Here he is with wifey - my boy Fandango and Giselle :love:

 
Julia123 said:
Thanks, yes that is good to know. All the outward signs lean towards cardiac, at least from the research I've done, not least that he's a NZW cross. I just wish I could get the dose confirmed! If I dont hear from my vet today I will call them tomorrow and ask them to speak to Molly and the **** Vet. I've emailed another rabbit vet I know who is out of my area, hoping she mails me back too.

Thought you might like to see him?

Here he is with wifey - my boy Fandango and Giselle :love:

Click to expand...

What a wonderful couple :love: I especially love REWs, I really dont understand why they are unpopular. Every REW I have cared for has had such a great character.

I really hope that you get some answers soon xx
 
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