Vetmedin (Pimobendan)
Vetmedin is widely regarded as the cornerstone positive inotrope/vasodilator for canine congestive heart failure and holds a best-in-class position for combination cardiac regimens because it reliably improves cardiac output and quality of life when paired with diuretics and RAAS inhibitors. Compared with the ACE inhibitors and diuretics on this list, Vetmedin is more frequently the foundational agent in multi‑drug protocols — its clinical impact often justifies a higher unit cost by reducing hospitalization days and enabling lower doses of adjunctive drugs in many dogs.
Stronger heart pump
More playtime
Stronger heart pump
More playtime
Review Summary
"Most long-term users report marked improvement in energy, appetite, and quality of life in dogs with congestive heart failure, with relatively few adverse effects; widely praised as a cornerstone therapy."
Tail-wag booster
Pimobendan increases cardiac contractility and causes vasodilation to improve cardiac output.
Tail-wag booster
Pimobendan increases cardiac contractility and causes vasodilation to improve cardiac output.
Increased Safety & Security
Vetmedin is widely regarded as the cornerstone positive inotrope/vasodilator for canine congestive heart failure and holds a best-in-class position for combination cardiac regimens because it reliably improves cardiac output and quality of life when paired with diuretics and RAAS inhibitors. Compared with the ACE inhibitors and diuretics on this list, Vetmedin is more frequently the foundational agent in multi‑drug protocols — its clinical impact often justifies a higher unit cost by reducing hospitalization days and enabling lower doses of adjunctive drugs in many dogs.
Stronger heart pump
More playtime
Tail-wag booster
Pimobendan increases cardiac contractility and causes vasodilation to improve cardiac output.
Proven to prolong quality and survival in dogs with symptomatic mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Stronger heart pump
More playtime
Tail-wag booster
Pimobendan increases cardiac contractility and causes vasodilation to improve cardiac output.
Proven to prolong quality and survival in dogs with symptomatic mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.
$80-180 CAD
Fortekor (Benazepril)
Fortekor is a leading ACE inhibitor for dogs used to blunt RAAS activation in chronic cardiac disease and is valued in multi‑drug regimens for a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and once‑daily dosing that can improve owner compliance versus some alternatives. Financially and operationally it is often more cost‑effective than brand‑only options because benazepril is widely available as generics and pairs synergistically with Vetmedin and loop diuretics to reduce progressive remodeling and diuretic requirements.
Reduces heart strain
Kidney-friendly
Reduces heart strain
Kidney-friendly
Review Summary
"Owners generally find benazepril effective at reducing heart-failure signs and controlling blood pressure with good tolerability, though some dogs experience mild gastrointestinal upset or lethargy."
Quiet-chest nights
Benazepril inhibits the renin–angiotensin system to reduce afterload and limit cardiac remodeling.
Quiet-chest nights
Benazepril inhibits the renin–angiotensin system to reduce afterload and limit cardiac remodeling.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Fortekor is a leading ACE inhibitor for dogs used to blunt RAAS activation in chronic cardiac disease and is valued in multi‑drug regimens for a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and once‑daily dosing that can improve owner compliance versus some alternatives. Financially and operationally it is often more cost‑effective than brand‑only options because benazepril is widely available as generics and pairs synergistically with Vetmedin and loop diuretics to reduce progressive remodeling and diuretic requirements.
Reduces heart strain
Kidney-friendly
Quiet-chest nights
Benazepril inhibits the renin–angiotensin system to reduce afterload and limit cardiac remodeling.
Commonly used alongside pimobendan and diuretics to manage chronic heart failure in dogs.
Reduces heart strain
Kidney-friendly
Quiet-chest nights
Benazepril inhibits the renin–angiotensin system to reduce afterload and limit cardiac remodeling.
Commonly used alongside pimobendan and diuretics to manage chronic heart failure in dogs.
$40-120 CAD
Lasix (Furosemide)
Lasix is the prototypical loop diuretic and remains the market leader for rapid control of congestion and pulmonary edema in canine patients, making it essential to most multi‑drug cardiac regimens. Its technical advantage is rapid onset and predictable fluid removal; economically, generic furosemide is inexpensive and widely available, which lowers short‑term treatment costs though it increases the need for laboratory monitoring and electrolyte management when used alongside ACE inhibitors and spironolactone.
Drains excess fluid
Eases breathing
Drains excess fluid
Eases breathing
Review Summary
"Users consistently report rapid relief of fluid overload, reduced coughing and improved breathing, but note frequent urination and the need for close monitoring of hydration and electrolytes."
Frequent-walk cue
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for rapid mobilization of pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Frequent-walk cue
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for rapid mobilization of pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Lasix is the prototypical loop diuretic and remains the market leader for rapid control of congestion and pulmonary edema in canine patients, making it essential to most multi‑drug cardiac regimens. Its technical advantage is rapid onset and predictable fluid removal; economically, generic furosemide is inexpensive and widely available, which lowers short‑term treatment costs though it increases the need for laboratory monitoring and electrolyte management when used alongside ACE inhibitors and spironolactone.
Drains excess fluid
Eases breathing
Frequent-walk cue
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for rapid mobilization of pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Often dosed multiple times per day in acute decompensation and adjusted for chronic maintenance.
Drains excess fluid
Eases breathing
Frequent-walk cue
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for rapid mobilization of pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Often dosed multiple times per day in acute decompensation and adjusted for chronic maintenance.
$15-60 CAD
Enacard (Enalapril)
Enacard is a veteran ACE inhibitor with a long clinical track record in veterinary cardiology and remains commonly used in combination therapies for chronic heart disease due to its well‑known safety profile. Compared with Fortekor (benazepril), Enacard is often viewed as equally effective but may require different dosing frequency; it can be a lower‑cost alternative in regions where enalapril generics are widely available, though some clinicians prefer benazepril’s pharmacokinetics in multi‑drug regimens.
Lowers blood pressure
Slows remodeling
Lowers blood pressure
Slows remodeling
Review Summary
"Many long-term users see symptomatic benefit in cardiac patients, though some consider enalapril slightly less potent than alternatives and report occasional vomiting or low blood pressure."
Couch-friendly calm
Enalapril provides ACE inhibition to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac workload.
Couch-friendly calm
Enalapril provides ACE inhibition to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac workload.
Increased Safety & Security
Enacard is a veteran ACE inhibitor with a long clinical track record in veterinary cardiology and remains commonly used in combination therapies for chronic heart disease due to its well‑known safety profile. Compared with Fortekor (benazepril), Enacard is often viewed as equally effective but may require different dosing frequency; it can be a lower‑cost alternative in regions where enalapril generics are widely available, though some clinicians prefer benazepril’s pharmacokinetics in multi‑drug regimens.
Lowers blood pressure
Slows remodeling
Couch-friendly calm
Enalapril provides ACE inhibition to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac workload.
Used as an alternative ACE inhibitor when benazepril is not preferred or available in a multi-drug protocol.
Lowers blood pressure
Slows remodeling
Couch-friendly calm
Enalapril provides ACE inhibition to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac workload.
Used as an alternative ACE inhibitor when benazepril is not preferred or available in a multi-drug protocol.
$40-100 CAD
Cardalis (Benazepril/Spironolactone)
Cardalis combines benazepril with spironolactone to deliver dual RAAS modulation — ACE inhibition plus aldosterone antagonism — in a single product, positioning it as a market leader for simplifying multi‑drug cardiac protocols and improving owner adherence. The bundled formulation can provide technical advantages by addressing aldosterone breakthrough seen with ACE inhibitors alone and offers financial and compliance benefits by reducing pill burden and potentially lowering total pharmacy costs compared with prescribing the two agents separately.
Dual heart protection
Saves potassium
Dual heart protection
Saves potassium
Review Summary
"Buyers appreciate the convenience and added aldosterone blockade of the combination pill, reporting improved symptom control and fewer hospital visits, with cautions about monitoring for hyperkalemia."
Salt-control superhero
Cardalis combines benazepril (ACE inhibitor) with spironolactone (aldosterone antagonist) for dual RAAS blockade.
Salt-control superhero
Cardalis combines benazepril (ACE inhibitor) with spironolactone (aldosterone antagonist) for dual RAAS blockade.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Cardalis combines benazepril with spironolactone to deliver dual RAAS modulation — ACE inhibition plus aldosterone antagonism — in a single product, positioning it as a market leader for simplifying multi‑drug cardiac protocols and improving owner adherence. The bundled formulation can provide technical advantages by addressing aldosterone breakthrough seen with ACE inhibitors alone and offers financial and compliance benefits by reducing pill burden and potentially lowering total pharmacy costs compared with prescribing the two agents separately.
Dual heart protection
Saves potassium
Salt-control superhero
Cardalis combines benazepril (ACE inhibitor) with spironolactone (aldosterone antagonist) for dual RAAS blockade.
Simplifies multi-drug regimens by delivering ACE inhibition and aldosterone blockade in one tablet to reduce fluid retention and remodeling.
Dual heart protection
Saves potassium
Salt-control superhero
Cardalis combines benazepril (ACE inhibitor) with spironolactone (aldosterone antagonist) for dual RAAS blockade.
Simplifies multi-drug regimens by delivering ACE inhibition and aldosterone blockade in one tablet to reduce fluid retention and remodeling.
$60-160 CAD