The effectiveness and tolerance of ramipril in comparison to captopril for heart failure in dogs

: In this study 43 animals suffering from a decompensated heart failure were treated with one of two different ACE-inhibitors. 16 animals received Captopril, 27 were treated with Ramipril. A clinical examination was performed prior to the onset of therapy. Controls were performed two weeks, six weeks and seven months after the beginning of treatment. In the captopril-group 12 animals improved by at least one degree, four dogs died within the examination period. In the ramipril-group 16 of 27 dogs treated with a dosage of 0.125 mg/kg bw once a day showed an improvement of one or more degree and 6 animals died. In 8 animals the dose of 0.125 mg/kg bw once a day was increased to 0.125 mg/kg bw twice a day which consequently led to an improvement in 4 dogs. Ramipril and captopril were considered equal in tolerance. The study will be continued with a ramipril dosage of 0.25 mg/kg bw once a day in all further patients.