Safety of Benazepril in 400 Azotemic and 110 Non-Azotemic Client-Owned Cats (2001-2012)

This retrospective study examined cats after initiation of benazepril therapy to determine the frequency of systemic hypotension or elevations in serum creatinine and/or potassium. Medical records review identified azotemic and non-azotemic cats prescribed benazepril. Blood pressure was recorded at the first available time after initiation of therapy. No cats experienced documented systolic systemic hypotension (<90 mmHg). Serum creatinine, and potassium when available, were recorded at baseline and in time windows after initiation of treatment: 1-30 days and 31-60 days. Blood chemistry results were screened for hyperkalemia (≥6.0 mEq/L). During the first 2 mo after starting benazepril therapy, there was a low incidence (3.7%) and clinically insignificant magnitude of hyperkalemia. Serum creatinine increases of greater than 30% from baseline were noted. This change was found in 11.0% of cats during the first 30 days of therapy and in 13.7% of cats from days 31-60 after initiation of therapy. The long-term survival of the cats that had >30% increases in creatinine from baseline was not statistically different from the survival of those that did not experience these increases, which suggests this finding may not be a reason to discontinue therapy. Benazepril appeared safe in a heterogeneous population of cats.