Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Enalapril is dosed at 0.25–0.5 mg/kg PO q24-48h in ferrets, per Morrisey JK, Malakoff RL, Quesenberry KE, et al. Cardiovascular and other diseases Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:55-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.946 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.7 (Cardiopulmonary Agents Used in Ferrets). Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Prodrug converted to enalaprilat, which inhibits ACE. Reduces angiotensin II, decreases aldosterone, reduces preload and afterload.
Side effects & warnings
Monitor renal function (BUN/creatinine) and electrolytes. Hypotension with concurrent diuretics. Primarily renal elimination (prefer benazepril in renal disease). CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Sample dosing (2 of 9 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
Enacard Tablets for Dogs [UK Datasheet]. Merial Limited; 2006. | Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1127-1140. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.447, Enalapril monograph spanning p.445-447.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Treatment Recommendations for CKD in Dogs. International Renal Interest Society; 2019. | Polzin DJ. Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2013;23(2):205-215. | Bartges JW. Chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 2012;42(4):669-692. | Littman MP. Protein-losing nephropathy in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 2011;41(1):31-62. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.447, Enalapril monograph spanning p.445-447.
· 12. Delk KW, Eshar D, Garcia E, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy in a hedgehog. J Small Anim Pract. 2014;55:174-177. | 45. Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy hedgehogs and prairie dogs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:155-172. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.744 doi:10.1111/jsap.12169 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Hedgehogs).
· 692. Pees M, Schmidt V, Coles B, et al. Diagnosis and long-term therapy of right-sided heart failure in a yellow-crowned Amazon (Amazona ochrocephala). Vet Rec. 2006;158:445-447. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by Samour J (ed), Avian Medicine, 3rd ed, Elsevier 2016 (ISBN 978-0-7234-3832-8), Table 13-11: Enalapril, Parrots, 2.5-5 mg/kg (PO). A second text, independent of the source already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.
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Source citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
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903. Straub J, Pees M, Enders F, et al. Pericardiocentesis and the use of enalapril in a Fischer's lovebird (Agapornis fischeri). Vet Rec. 2003;152:24-26. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 doi:10.1136/vr.152.1.24 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by Samour J (ed), Avian Medicine, 3rd ed, Elsevier 2016 (ISBN 978-0-7234-3832-8), Table 13-11: Enalapril, Parrots, 2.5-5 mg/kg (PO). A second text, independent of the source already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.
· Enacard Tablets for Dogs [UK Datasheet]. Merial Limited; 2006. | Keene BW, Atkins CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(3):1127-1140. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.447, Enalapril monograph spanning p.445-447.
· Lennox AM. Emergency and critical care procedures in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2007;10:533-555. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2007.01.001; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.5 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Sugar Gliders).
· Morrisey JK, Malakoff RL, Quesenberry KE, et al. Cardiovascular and other diseases Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:55-70. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.946 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.7 (Cardiopulmonary Agents Used in Ferrets).
· Treatment Recommendations for CKD in Dogs. International Renal Interest Society; 2019. | Polzin DJ. Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2013;23(2):205-215. | Bartges JW. Chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 2012;42(4):669-692. | Littman MP. Protein-losing nephropathy in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Animal Pract. 2011;41(1):31-62. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.447, Enalapril monograph spanning p.445-447.