Cefovecin (brand name: Convenia®) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used most commonly for skin infections, periodontal disease, and urinary tract infections. It has also been used as a part of outpatient treatment for parvovirus and other bacterial infections. It is a long-acting injectable antibiotic and is therefore useful in cases when giving medications by mouth is difficult.
Its use in cats and dogs to treat certain types of bacterial infections is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions very carefully as their directions may be significantly different from those on the label.
Features of Convenia For Cats
CONVENIA is the best choice for treating common bacterial skin infections in dogs and cats of all sizes. It harnesses the power of the injectable to help provide the best value for the health of your patients, clients and clinic:
- Patients treated with CONVENIA receive an assured course of antibiotic therapy, with concentrations at the site of infection for up to 14 days.1,2
- Injectables don’t disrupt a household’s daily routine, thereby protecting the human-animal bond.
- Clients know their pet is receiving the full course of treatment — with no pressure for them to remember to give daily doses
General Dosing Information
A sample of the lesion should be obtained for culture and susceptibility testing prior to beginning antimicrobial therapy. Once results become available, continue with appropriate therapy. If acceptable response to treatment is not observed, or if no improvement is seen within 3 to 4 days, then the diagnosis should be re-evaluated and appropriate alternative therapy considered.
CONVENIA may persist in the body for up to 65 days. The effect of remaining concentrations of cefovecin on any subsequent antimicrobial therapies has not been determined. Fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside antimicrobials have been reported to be compatible with cephalosporin antimicrobial agents.
| Weight of Animal | Volume of CONVENIA(3.6 mg/lb or 0.045 mL/lb) |
| 5 lb | 0.23 mL |
| 10 lb | 0.45 mL |
| 15 lb | 0.67 mL |
| 20 lb | 0.90 mL |
| 40 lb | 1.8 mL |
| 80 lb | 3.6 mL |
Potential side effects
Side effects may include sluggishness, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin reactions at the site of the injection. Serious side effects are uncommon and include severe allergic reactions such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and death. As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, rare side effects such as blood cell and bone marrow abnormalities, and liver enzyme increases are also possible.
This long-acting medication will last up to 6 – 10 weeks and may last longer in pets with kidney or liver disease.Adverse effects can occur up to two months after an injection.
Prices of Convenia For Cats
$12.99 – $39.99