Convenia: How Long Does It Take for Convenia To Work in Cats

 

An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria and is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections.
Antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of such infections.
They may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses such as the common cold or influenza, etc.
Convenia is an antibiotic manufactured and distributed by Zoetis, Its generic name is Cefovecin Sodium.
It is a powder and solvent for solution for injection containing a third-generation
cephalosporin, cefovecin sodium, with a broad-spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, it has a high protein bound and a long
duration of the activity.
It can be used for both: dogs and cats.
It is actually the first antibiotic that can be given through a single administration.
The product is presented in a single pack size composed of one vial containing the freeze-dried active substance (cefovecin sodium), and a second vial containing the diluent. Reconstitution yields 10.6 ml of solution for injection and then the route of administration is subcutaneous.
As with all cephalosporins, the bactericidal action of cefovecin results from the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis, that is, it kills the bacterium by breaking down its cell wall.
Within 30 minutes of being injected under the skin, detectable concentrations of the medicine are at the site of infection.
Within four hours, on average, it reaches a high enough concentration to start killing bacteria.
It will continue killing bacteria in the infected tissue for the full treatment period ‰ÛÓ 14 days.
Convenia is highly recommended because of its unique benefits.
1) It‰Ûªs injectable, and 2) a single dose actively fights infections for a long time.
Traces of Convenia may stay in the body for 65 days.
In some studies, a single injection of the medicine was found to be the equivalent of 14 days of orally dosed antibiotics* (e.g., tablets or pills, some of which have to be administered by pet owners as often as twice daily).
It should be administered by your veterinarian as an injection under the skin.
The dosage is based on your pet‰Ûªs weight.
For cats, it should be administered as a single, one-time injection ( a single-dose injection of 3.6 mg/lb or 0.045 ml/lb)
For example, a domestic cat of 10 lbs should only receive 36 mg or 0.45 ml.
For dogs, a veterinarian may later administer a second dose under specific circumstances if your dog‰Ûªs response to therapy is not yet complete.

What infections or conditions does Convenia treat?

It treats common bacterial skin infections, including superficial pyoderma in dogs as well as the treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses and wounds associated with Pasteurella
multocida, Fusobacterium spp., Bacteroides spp., Prevotella oralis, ë_-haemolytic Streptococci and/or Staphylococcus intermedius.
For the treatment of urinary tract infections associated with Escherichia coli.
When your pet\’s skin is broken or damaged by scratching, chewing or rubbing, it creates an opportunity for additional or secondary infections, allowing bacteria that are normally kept out to penetrate your pet‰Ûªs skin.
You might be surprised at how easy your pets can acquire these infections.
Your once healthy pet can become susceptible to diseases simply by scratching, licking, or biting.
It‰Ûªs actually shocking what a simple bite and scratch can do.
As soon as the integrity of pets‰Ûª skin is compromised, bacteria can enter, grow, and foster. Then it is open season for infection when left untreated!

How long does it take for Convenia to work in cats

Every pet and every infection is different.
Peak blood levels are seen within 2.0 hours in cats 2 and 6.2 hours in dogs.
This means that Convenia can start killing the bacteria quickly, however, this is not when you would expect to see a difference in the skin.
Based on the severity of the infection, your veterinarian is best able to predict when a difference in the skin is likely.
As with any medication, it takes some time for the body to completely eliminate a drug.
A drug‰Ûªs half-life is the time it takes to eliminate half of the drug from the body.
The half-life of this medication is 6.9 days in cats and 5.5 days in dogs.
After this time, the drug continues to decline in concentration and could exist in small amounts for up to 65 days.
This does not mean that it will work for this long or, if there is a side effect, that the side effect will last that long.

Benefits of Convenia

Convenia is proven effective in treating most skin infections in pets.
Fast peak time ‰ÛÒ meaning your cat receives the treatment it needs, fast.
It‰Ûªs an antibiotic that targets the bacteria that cause signs of skin infection upon injection, so you may begin to see progress in a matter of hours.
It‰Ûªs not a daily struggle, it has an easy route of administration compared to oral antibiotics.
Medicating cats can be a gruesome task especially when they are sick.
Dogs and cats seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to oral medications.
They know‰ÛÓand often become uncooperative‰ÛÓwhen we try to sneak a pill into their favorite treats. And when pets frantically struggle against their owners‰ÛÓalmost as though they‰Ûªre complete strangers‰ÛÓa long-acting antibiotic in the form of an injection just makes sense.
Whether your pet is hard to pill or you forget a dose, accidentally interrupting the treatment regimen is all too easy. And that means your pet may not consistently receive the amount of antibiotic needed to fight off the infection.
According to a study, adherence to a treatment plan is mainly affected by its duration and frequency. Pet owners tend to become less compliant with the entire treatment course if it is longer and more frequent.
A single dose can fight off bacteria for 14 days which is generally speaking the entire course of treatment. Your pet receives continuous antibiotic treatment.
That is why a breakthrough antibiotic that could provide long term treatment in a single dose piqued the curiosity of a lot of pet owners and veterinarians.

Have there been any reported adverse reactions or side effects?

First of all, do not use in dogs or cats with a history of allergic reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins.
Second, allergic reactions are possible.
As with any drug, there are several possible side effects to the use of Convenia.
Most common reactions noted are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite, hyperactivity and inappropriate urination are also among the less common reactions to the drug.
Even if these side effects are uncommon, it is best to observe your cat for any of these reactions after injection.
There are several anecdotal reports from cat owners that some Convenia side effects were detrimental to their pet‰Ûªs health, like: A cat treated with convenia during a dental visit and days after, he developed life-threatening reactions, lost his appetite and became severely anemic.
Another one treated with convenia for a common cold passed away days after receiving the shot.
There are also reported cases of ataxia, seizures, anaphylaxis, pulmonary and facial edema, reactions to the injection site, hemolytic anemia and excess salivation.
Despite the potential side effects, Convenia is still a powerful drug.
It can combat infection rapidly and effectively. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the advantages of the drug outweigh the possibility of its side effects.

What to Do in Case of Adverse Reactions?

Observe your pet for any side effects mentioned above.
In cases of adverse reactions, you must contact your vet or bring your cat to the clinic immediately.
Though we may not wish it upon anyone, feline death may ensue.
If that happens, make sure to request for a proper autopsy to be done to find out the specific cause of death.

Final Considerations

There are certainly several considerations you should put in mind before using Convenia.
It is still best to have a discussion with your vet regarding the necessity of Convenia in your cat‰Ûªs situation and if there are any alternative treatment.
Convenia might seem to be the perfect solution to pet infection but NOT a universal solution. It is not intended for ALL bacterial infections. This means that you cannot just catwalk inside your vet‰Ûªs clinic and ask for a prescription of Convenia. Your cat has to undergo the proper check up including swab and culture of the wound site.
This means that the exact strain of bacteria affecting your cat has to be determined before treatment is started.
Convenia should not be given to cats with known allergies to Cephalosporins and Penicillins. An extreme allergic reaction is evidenced by shortness of breath, swelling, and vomiting among others that if left untreated could be fatal.
Convenia should not be used to cats below 8 weeks old or those with kidney problems. These kitties are too small to properly process the drug and may result in further renal problems.
It should also not be used with pregnant or lactating cats. The drug stays long in the body and there is a high chance of it being transferred to the offspring.
Just to be on the safe side, treated cats should not be used for breeding for 12 weeks after injection.
Your feline friend is counting on you to make the important and hard calls especially pertaining to its health. Discuss with your vet any apprehensions you may have about the drug. After all, vigilance is key!