A randomized controlled clinical trial of the use of benazepril and heparin for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in dogs

Objective-To investigate the effects of benazepril and heparin on renal function and blood pressure in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Design-Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-26 dogs with chronic kidney disease. Procedures-Dogs were randomly assigned to receive benazepril hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h; n = 10), benazepril and heparin (150 U/kg [68 U/lb], SC, q 8 h, for the first 6 days; 10), or a placebo (6) and were followed up for 180 days. Results-Health status score at the end of the study (ie, day 180) was significantly higher for dogs in the 2 treatment groups than for dogs in the placebo group. In addition, glomerular filtration rate was significantly increased and the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was significantly decreased, compared with baseline rates, at the end of the study for dogs in both treatment groups but not for dogs in the placebo group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased on day 6 for dogs in both treatment groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that administration of benazepril had beneficial effects in dogs with chronic kidney disease but that short-term administration of heparin in conjunction with benazepril did not appear to provide any additional benefit. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2009;234:1031-1037)