10mg/80mg Cardalis Tablet for Dogs - per tablet

Description

Cardalis 10mg/80mg is a combined heart medicine for dogs with Congestive Heart Failure caused by chronic degenerative valvular disease. Each chewable tablet contains 10mg benazepril hydrochloride and 80mg spironolactone. These ingredients act on different parts of the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure, sodium balance and fluid retention. Cardalis 10mg/80mg is given once daily with food and has a beef flavour to encourage acceptance. The scored tablet can be divided into two equal halves, each containing 5mg benazepril hydrochloride and 40mg spironolactone. By reducing the effects of hormones that become persistently activated during heart failure, the medicine helps limit the additional strain placed on the heart and circulation as valve disease progresses.

Degenerative valvular disease gradually changes the structure of a heart valve, preventing its leaflets from closing tightly. Blood then leaks backwards during contraction, reducing the efficiency of forward circulation. The mitral valve is commonly affected in dogs. Over time, the heart may enlarge to compensate, while rising pressure can cause fluid congestion in the lungs or elsewhere in the body. Cardalis 10mg/80mg is used when this disease has led to Congestive Heart Failure. Affected dogs may tire more quickly, become less willing to exercise or develop faster or more difficult breathing. Cardalis 10mg/80mg helps control the hormonal changes that can worsen the circulatory burden, alongside other treatment selected to manage the dog’s pumping function and any excess fluid already present.

One of the body’s responses to reduced effective circulation is activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, often shortened to RAAS. This system normally helps preserve blood pressure and blood volume. During chronic heart failure, however, sustained activation encourages blood vessel constriction, sodium retention and water retention, increasing the work required from the heart. Benazepril in Cardalis 10mg/80mg is converted to benazeprilat, which inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme. This reduces production of angiotensin II, a potent signal for vessel constriction and aldosterone release. As blood vessels relax, resistance to blood flow falls. Cardalis 10mg/80mg therefore helps reduce some of the compensatory hormonal effects that become damaging when they continue over a long period in a dog with heart failure.

Spironolactone in Cardalis 10mg/80mg blocks aldosterone receptors. Aldosterone encourages the kidneys to retain sodium and water, and prolonged activity can also contribute to inflammation and fibrosis within cardiovascular tissues. Fibrosis is the accumulation of scar-like tissue that can alter the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels. Blocking aldosterone’s action remains useful even when an ACE inhibitor is already reducing its production, because aldosterone activity can persist or rise again during chronic treatment. Cardalis 10mg/80mg combines these complementary effects in a fixed-ratio tablet. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, but its fluid-removing action is relatively modest; dogs with significant congestion may also require a loop diuretic. Clinical studies in dogs with valve-related congestive heart failure have shown a survival benefit from combining spironolactone with benazepril compared with benazepril alone. The combination is intended for dogs whose treatment calls for both ingredients. The response depends on disease severity and the other changes affecting cardiac function, including any rhythm disturbance, significant fluid congestion or concurrent disease affecting the kidneys.

Food improves the absorption of spironolactone, so Cardalis 10mg/80mg should be given with a meal. The tablet may be offered in a small amount of food immediately before the main meal, or given with the meal itself. Once-daily administration and a beef-flavoured chewable formulation can make regular treatment easier for dogs that accept flavoured medicines. Cardalis 10mg/80mg is the higher-strength presentation in the range, and tablet portions are selected according to bodyweight and the authorised dosing schedule. Each half retains the same ratio of the two active ingredients. Other benazepril-containing medicines, including Fortekor, are not automatically added to Cardalis because this would duplicate one of its ingredients. The complete cardiac treatment plan must account for medicines already supplied in combination products.

Cardalis 10mg/80mg can affect potassium balance and kidney function, particularly in dogs with existing renal impairment. It is unsuitable for animals with high blood potassium, low blood sodium or hypoadrenocorticism, also called Addison’s disease. It must not be used in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs, and it is not recommended in growing dogs because spironolactone has antiandrogenic effects. Possible adverse reactions include vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and lethargy. Cardalis 10mg/80mg is an ongoing treatment for heart failure rather than an emergency treatment for acute breathing distress. Sudden difficulty breathing, collapse or severe weakness needs immediate veterinary attention. Keep the tablets securely stored in their labelled container, as their flavour can encourage a dog to eat an excessive quantity if the supply is left within reach.

What are the active ingredients in Cardalis 10mg/80mg?

Each tablet contains 10mg benazepril hydrochloride and 80mg spironolactone. Benazepril reduces angiotensin II production, while spironolactone blocks aldosterone receptors. Together they reduce hormonal effects that narrow blood vessels, encourage sodium and water retention and contribute to damaging changes in cardiovascular tissues during chronic heart failure.

What heart condition is Cardalis used for?

Cardalis is authorised for congestive heart failure caused by chronic degenerative valvular disease in dogs. This disease prevents a valve closing properly, allowing blood to leak backwards. The resulting pressure and circulation changes can lead to congestion, with Cardalis helping control the associated hormonal responses.

Should Cardalis be given with food?

Yes. Food improves the absorption of spironolactone, so Cardalis is given with a meal. It may also be offered in a small amount of food immediately before the main meal. This differs from the empty-stomach instructions for some other cardiac medicines, including many pimobendan tablets.

How often is Cardalis given to dogs?

Cardalis is given once daily with food. The number of tablets or halves depends on the dog’s bodyweight and the selected presentation. Each strength combines benazepril and spironolactone in a fixed ratio, so the two ingredients are supplied together at the same administration.

Is Cardalis a chewable tablet?

Yes. Cardalis is a beef-flavoured chewable tablet, which can make administration easier for dogs that accept flavoured medicines. It should still be given with food to improve spironolactone absorption. Store the supply securely, because its palatability may encourage accidental consumption of several tablets.

Can Cardalis replace a dog’s other diuretic?

Not automatically. Spironolactone has a relatively modest diuretic effect and is included for its aldosterone-blocking action. Dogs with significant fluid congestion may also need a loop diuretic. Replacing another fluid-removing medicine without a specific treatment change could leave the congestion inadequately controlled.

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