Firstly - there are two different medicines, called Fortekor and Fortekor Plus. These are not the same drug. If you want information on Fortekor Plus, click here!
Vets may prescribe Fortekor for two very different diseases. It may be prescribed if:
- your pet has heart disease - Fortekor is used for:
- dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), caused by either mitral regurgitation (endocardiosis) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), or
- Cats, with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- your cat or dog has chronic kidney disease.
Heart disease in dogs and cats
About 10% of all dogs, and about 15% of all cats have heart disease.
Possible causes of heart diseases can be:
- a heart valve infection (called endocardiosis) which may have resulted from blood infection or periodontal disease,
- a cardiac muscle disease (eg. dilated cardiomyopathy)
- .an increase in the thickness of the muscular wall of the heart (called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). This reduces the volume of blood within the heart and also prevents the heart muscle relaxing properly between contractions.
Heart failure means that the pet’s heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The symptoms increase as the heart’s performance declines.
If your vet tells you that your cat or dog has a heart disease, most owners are likely to be very concerned or upset. However, whilst there is no cure for heart failure, it can usually be managed with medication and care.
Your fur baby can live a long and full life, if the condition is diagnosed early and proper treatment is given.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs
Like humans, dogs and cats have two kidneys. The job of the kidneys is to :
- Filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in urine
- Regulate electrolyte and water balance
- Produce various hormones and control red blood cell production
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not actually a single disease - there are many different causes for a disease of the kidneys that has been present for months or years. It might have arised from:
- birth defects,
- chronic bacterial infection
- Kidney stones
- High blood pressure
- Immune system diseases
Chronic Kidney Disease is also sometimes called Chronic Renal Disease (CRD) or Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).
Whilst CKD can’t be cured, treatment can keep your pet comfortable, with a good quality of life.
What is Fortekor?
Fortekor’s active ingredient is Benazepril hydrochloride, which inhibits (lessens) the production of the ACE enzyme. This acts in two ways:
- The ACE enzyme is responsible for constricting blood vessels and raising your dog’s blood pressure. By reducing the amount of this enzyme, Fortekor prevents constriction, or widens the blood vessels, and so it increases blood flow and reduces hypertension. In this way, Fortekor lessens the burden on a fatigued heart, by reducing the work your pet’s heart has to do to pump blood around their body.
- If there is protein in the urine of your cat or dog, it can cause further kidney damage. By lessening the ACE enzyme, more blood flows to the kidney and protein levels in the urine are decreased. Lower urine protein ratios has been associated with both increased quality of life and longer lifespans for your pet.
What can I expect when my pet starts on Fortekor?
Every pet is unique. Their response may also depend on how unwell they were when treatment started. Whilst Fortekor should start to take effect within a couple of hours, the effects may not be noticeable, and your vet may want to do laboratory tests to see how it is working to help your pet.
How to give Fortekor to my dog?
Fortekor comes in the form of a tablet. It should be given to your pet by mouth and can be given with or without food. Normally, it is only given once a day.
If your pet prefers to take medicine disguised in a tasty treat (and who wouldn’t!), make sure the treat is actually good for your animal, and not high in salt (like cheese or processed meats, which are not suitable for pets with heart failure).
What if I give too much Fortekor? What if I miss a dose of Fortekor or give the wrong dose of Fortekor?
Administration of drug issues
If you miss giving a dose of Fortekor, don’t worry - just give the normal dose next time. Don’t give a higher dose to “make up” a missed dose.
If your animal has taken too much Fortekor, or you suspect an overdose, call your vet immediately.
Storage of Fortekor
Store Fortekor below 25°C. It does not need to be refrigerated.
Who should NOT take Fortekor?
Tests haven’t been undertaken to determine the safety of Fortekor for puppies and kittens, or pregnant or lactating animals.
Because Fortekor may react with other drugs, please make sure that you tell your vet about all other medications that your pet is taking, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal therapies.
Can I buy Fortekor online?
Fortekor Is a prescription medicine, and you can buy it online from PetScripts once you have a script (prescription) from your vet. Please ensure that you have read the How to Order page before ordering this item.
Disclaimer
This information is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice or any information contained on or in any product packaging or labels. Always seek the advice of your Veterinarian, Pharmacist, or qualified health provider when starting any new medical treatment, continuing with medical treatment or with any questions you may have regarding your animal's medical condition. Professional advice is required for each particular illness, disease, infection, injury or other medical condition and for dosages of the pharmaceutical product supplied via this website. You take full and total responsibility for what you do with this information and any resulting outcomes from your actions.
NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE SERVICE IS INTENDED TO BE OR SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR MEDICAL OR VETERINARY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.
IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR PET, PLEASE CONSULT AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY VETERINARY FACILITY.
