What is Convenia for Cats?

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Convenia is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that is administered through an injection. It is also known as Cefovecin, and it is used in cats to treat infections of the bone, joints, respiratory tract, skin, and septicemia. The injection is given to cats who have difficulties taking oral medication. The injection is provided under the skin tissue on a muscle. Once injected, the drug is active against selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria of the anaerobic species. It is used to treat parvovirus and other bacterial infections in cats. You can only obtain convenia from a veterinarian’s prescription.

How is Convenia given?

Convenia is given through an injection on the skin tissue, mainly at the vet’s clinic. At times, the vet can prescribe the medication to be given at home. If you have been given the drug to administer at home, ensure you follow the instructions. Ensure that you shake the bottle until the liquid is clear but not cloudy. Buy a new syringe for every fresh injection. Follow the instructions given by your vet to administer the correct injection under the skin. Once you are done, dispose of the used syringes in sealed containers to avoid any contamination accidents by kids. If you experience difficulties giving the injection, take your pet to the hospital.

Mechanism of action of the medication

Convenia belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. The drug treats anti-bacterial infections by breaking down the cell wall that kills bacteria. According to Zoetisus, after 30 minutes of injection, the medication concentrates on the infection area damaging the cell walls. Within 4 hours, the medicine is usually on high concentration, which ultimately destroys the bacteria. The medication continues to be effective for the next 14 days, which is the entire treatment period. This antibiotic is different from regular antibiotics because it can stay for long in the body, making it highly effective in treating bacterial infections. A single injection lasts 14 days compared to an oral dose, which is given twice daily.

How long does it take for Convenia to work in cats?

In cats, the medication is given through an injection. The injection is absorbed in the bloodstream within two hours. Once it is absorbed, it can last up to two weeks in the body. The medication is able to last for a long time in the body because it has a high binding level to proteins in the bloodstream. The high acute level prevents the drug from rapid metabolism and excretion, the same with many injectable antibiotics.

Recommended Dosage

Convenia should never be administered without the veterinarian’s prescription. The recommended dosage is 3.6mg per pound (8mg/kg) in cats. It would be best to administer it as a one-time injection on the subcutaneous. According to Zoetispetcare, the appropriate dose for a six kilogram pet is 0.45 ml which should be repeated for 7 to 14 days. The dosage depends on the weight and is calculated at the rate of 0.1 ml per kilogram. The injection should be administered on the scruff of the neck. The time frame of the injection depends on the condition being treated, the adverse side effects experienced, and the response to medication. Depending on your cat’s needs and reaction to the drug, you can give a second injection. At any given time, the medication should not exceed two injections. It would be best to provide cats with renal failure with a lower dosage.

What if you miss giving your cat the injection?

Get in touch with your veterinarian if you have skipped the medication.

Product Facts

Convenia is manufactured by Zoetis, formerly Pfizer, the largest multinational animal health company in the world. The product was launched in 2007, and it won the easy to give award given by the icat-Care website. It is considered one of the most used drugs prescribed by feline doctors to treat anti-bacterial infections. The medication is not a panacea, and it should only be administered after a doctor’s prescription. The above exception is significant, and it has improved the veterinary code of ethics for cat patients.

• Medication type: antimicrobial
• Form: injection
• Prescription: given by the doctor
• Approved by FDA: Yes
• Life stage: 4 months or older
• Brand names: Convenia
• Common names: Cefovecin Sodium
• Dosage: 80mg/ml
• Expiry: 56 days after refrigeration

Convenia is only given under strict vet prescription. The supply chain consists of the manufacturer, wholesaler to the veterinary clinic. The price of Convenia depends on the set price provided by these three entities. The cost varies depending on the location. If you have a tight budget, consult with your doctor on the price of the medication before your cat is injected. Convenia is likely to be more expensive compared to standard antibiotic tablets. A convenience premium has to be paid since it’s a one-time injection that can last up to two weeks in the body. The convenience is delivered since it reduces the workload of administering tablets twice a day. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, if the manufacturer sets the price at $ 10, the wholesaler will put a 30% mark up to $13.00 and the vet a 30% markup to $ 16.90.

Pharmacokinetics of Convenia

Convenia is administered through an injection which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Nonlinear kinetics show that an increase in the dosage does not increase the plasma concentration proportionally. Once injected, the drug does not go through hepatic metabolism, and excretion is through the urine. Excretion occurs through the bile, and it remains unchanged. It should not be given together with other high binding proteins because they will compete for the protein binding sites, which results in a high concentration of drugs in the bloodstream.

Side Effects of Convenia

Most cats do not show any side effects after the medication. However, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate the possibility of side effects. One or two hours after the injection, your cat may start to experience side effects such as lack of appetite, sluggishness, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain on the injected skin. Your cat could also experience severe allergic reactions, although in rare circumstances such as difficulty in breathing, itchiness, salivation, and facial swellings. Since Convenia is a beta-lactam antibiotic, it is possible to experience side effects such as blood cell and bone marrow complications and an increase in liver enzyme production. These side effects may last up to 6-10 weeks or longer in cats with liver and kidney disease. The adverse effects can last up to two months after the injection. It is tempting to be worried after reading the above side effects. However, there is no need to panic because Convenia has been widely used for over ten years, and the safety of the medication is guaranteed. Some studies show that even if the dosage rate is seven times over the recommended rate, cats have a high tolerance to Convenia.

Is Convenia suitable for all cats?

Convenia is widely used by all felines, given a few provisions. The medication is not suitable for cats below eight weeks. There are no safety provisions for pregnant and lactating cats. Cats with renal failure should be given a lower dosage during treatment. For cats with known cases of hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics, seek alternative medication to avoid severe cases of difficulty in breathing, itchiness, salivation, and facial swellings. Convenia is safe to use in old cats, but the vet should decide on the dosage.

Risk Factors of the Medication

For safety purposes, do not use this medication in cats that are allergic to Convenia or other types of beta-lactam antibiotics. Extreme care should be exercised on cats with kidney disease. Convenia should not be given to herbivores such as rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs because it damages the digestive system. The injection is labeled for use in cats above two months in the European Union. However, no safety is established on cats below four months. It would be best to exercise extreme care on pregnant and lactating cats because the safety of the medication on the above has not been tested. Other drugs such as cephalosporins are considered safe to use on pregnant and nursing cats. In this case, it is good to do a cost-benefit analysis. High dosage of Convenia sodium can cause neurotoxicity, hepatitis, nephrotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, and blood leukogram. The dosage for Convenia sodium should be reduced for cats with renal problems.

The drug that can be combined with Convenia

There are no studies done on cats to give information on drug interactions. Based on recent laboratory tests, medications that can be used alongside Convenia include; doxycycline, maropitant, furosemide, ketoconazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, propofocol, anti-seizure medications, and cardiac medications. Convenia can also interact with several lab procedures such as blood tests, urine tests, glucose tests, and kidney and blood protein tests. People need to be cautious as the above interactions can lead to fast results. It is advisable to communicate with your vet on your medications together with Convenia, such as supplements, vitamins, and herbal therapies.

What kind of monitoring should I do during medication?

It is good to constantly monitor your cat when it is on any medication. With Convenia, no specific monitoring can be done on your cat but always be on your guard. Be on the lookout for any side effects. Maintain constant communication with your vet to ensure that the medication is working correctly.

Packaging and Storage of Convenia

Convenia is available in the form of powder or liquid. The powder for injection comes in a 10ml 800-milligram bottle. The powder should be mixed with 10 ml of sterile water for injection. It should be placed in an 80mg/ml syringe. Whichever the form, it should be stored in its original carton in the refrigerator between 35 degrees F and 46 degrees F (2-8 degrees Celsius). Store away from direct sunlight. Discard the medication after 56 days from the time the bottle is opened. It is common for the color of the medicine to vary from clear to amber when the container is opened, and it darkens over time. If stored properly, the drug will not affect potency.

What to do in the case of an emergency

In the case of an emergency like an adverse reaction or an overdose, do not hesitate to call your vet immediately. If your doctor is not available or is far away, read the instructions given in the emergency facility and follow the procedures outlined.

What time of the day should I give my cat Convenia?

Convenia can be administered any time of the day. If you have any questions concerning your pet, please consult with your vet.

How long will my cat be on medication?

Convenia is given as a one-time injection that lasts for 14 days. If your cat requires extra medication, you should consult with your vet. Never administer any medication without the doctor’s prescription.

Can Convenia be given with other medications?

Convenia can be used along with other drugs such as doxycycline, maropitant, furosemide, ketoconazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, propofocol, anti-seizure medications, and cardiac medications. Convenia can also interact with several lab procedures such as blood tests, urine tests, glucose tests, and kidney and blood protein tests. It is advisable to communicate with your vet on your medications together with Convenia, such as supplements, vitamins, and herbal therapies. If you have any questions about the prescription, consult with your vet since they are in the best place to explain your cat’s health.

Conclusion

Convenia is one of the most effective antibiotics approved by the FDA to treat bacterial infections. It is manufactured and distributed by Pfizer, formerly Zoetis. It works by internally damaging the bacteria’s cell wall, causing it to disintegrate. The medication can only be purchased from a vet hospital, so you can consult your veterinarian if you need one. It is advisable to constantly monitor your cat to check whether it has one or some of the symptoms of bacterial infections. Once you realize that your cat is not behaving as expected, please consult your doctor on whether it is appropriate to administer convenia. Remember to exercise care and caution while your cat is on medication due to the side effects of the drug.