Convenia Long-Acting Antibiotic Injection
Usually that question comes from a pet lover in the form of an objection to having to give oral medications for a two week or longer time period. Up until now our answer has been, “No, an antibiotic injection will last 12 to 24 hours, then we would have to give another one. Do you want to come in every day for 14 days for injections at $35.00 each?”
But the times, they are a’changing.
Enter Convenia, the long-acting antibiotic from Pfizer Animal Health that lasts 10 to 14 days with a single injection. Convenia is more than just penicillin. It’s a broad-spectrum antibiotic (in the simplest terms that means it kills a lot of different kinds of bacteria), so it can be used in a wide variety of infected organ systems and clinical and hospital situations.
Convenia isn’t right for every infection. If it were, it would be the only antibiotic on the market. Instead, there are hundreds and hundreds of antibiotics, each with a situation or organism on which it works best.
If my pet were a patient, I would sure ask my pet’s doctor if Convenia were right for him.
covenia, convina, convinia, covinia
171 Comments to “Convenia Long-Acting Antibiotic Injection”
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Thank you for your question, Xan. Cats infected with Rhinotracheitis, a Herpes virus, will have relapses regularly. Click here to read a comprehensive outline of upper respiratory tract diseases. IF Herpes virus is his problem nothing is going to completely clear the viral component of infection because Herpes “hides” from the immune system in nerve cells and comes out when the immune system is under stress. Age is a common cause of immune system dysfunction in all mammals. Antibiotics cannot help with viral infections, but are crucially important in controlling secondary bacteria. I, too, have found Convenia to be effective in many of these cases, and have more than one patient on long-term, repeated use of Convenia with complete safety. Also, ask your veterinarian about using immune system supports such as Enisyl. Tagamet has been shown to help some of these patients, but you will need to get the proper dose from your pet’s doctor. We wish you well and stay in touch, letting us know periodically how he is doing.
I have a 15-16 year old cat I adopted last year who seems to have chronic Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. He gets a Convenia injection, and does quite a bit better for 1-2 months, then gets symptoms all over again. Is it OK that he’s getting a Convenia injection repeatedly? I’ve read that even though it’s only active for about 14 days, it’s in the body for 2 months, so now worried that his just getting another injection after just having one just over a month ago isn’t good, though the veterinarian didn’t indicate it should be a problem. As for his chronic URIs, is there anything else I can do to try and get rid of it permanently, or might it just be something we have to deal with in an older cat with possibly weakening immune system? Thank you.
Crystal, let’s begin by addressing some basic issues. 1, Your kitty needs a thorough examination to first determine the cause of the problem. If the doctor thinks it’s a tooth issue it’s worth a sedation for a thorough examination to know for sure if there is a tooth problem. When tooth roots become infected antibiotic therapy alone rarely solves the problem. Usually the tooth must be extracted to allow irrigation and drainage of a plugged-up abscess. 2, Just because she had a tooth problem last time (or didn’t, since there was no definitive diagnosis) she quit eating doesn’t mean it’s a tooth problem again, thus, see #1, an examination is imperative. 3, you can read horror stories about anything and everything on the Internet. Just because someone SAID Convenia injured their pet doesn’t mean it’s so. In every case I set out guidelines for what should be done in case of an adverse event. You may click here to read that post. How many of the claims of Convenia injury are backed by exhaustive investigation? None that I have seen. 4, My professional experience with Convenia has been flawless with the exception of a single allergic reaction, which was easily treated with medication and resulted in no other medical problems. I have used “gallons” of it and stand by its safety profile.
I need advice on the Convenia injection for my cat. She went to the veterinarian last year November, 2011. She was drooling and had loss of appetite. Veterinarian said she had a bad tooth but couldn’t diagnose completly due to my cat not cooperating (go figure). Anyway I asked about an antibiotic injection to try first. So my cat was given Convenia and within a day her drooling stopped and she was back to her normal self with no side effects whatsoever. Worked great! Now almost a year later she is not eating again which is VERY unlike her. No drooling this time just the eating issue. She is not acting sick per se but definitely an issue there. I am wondering if it is the tooth or not. So long story short she is going back to the veterinarian and now after reading all the horror stories of the Convenia shot I am very leery to try it again. Please help with any advice! Thank you.
Byron, it’s not unusual for cats with ocular Chlamydia complaints to also have upper respiratory complaints, so I’m guessing (and it is only an informed guess, having neither examined the patient or spoken to your veterinarian) that he was concerned about secondary bacterial infection and chose Convenia for that. While I always give clients a choice between oral medication and Convenia when it is indicated, (especially in cats and frequently in small dogs) almost no one chooses oral medication over Convenia anymore.
My cat was given this shot for an ulcerated cornea that may be related to having Chlamydia in her eye as a youngster. I am concerned that this is a case of over-treatment; a 2-week antibiotic for an eye infection that was improving? I might have refused but wasn’t told it would last 2 weeks until the injection was underway. A main concern is whether this will destroy intestinal flora like oral antibiotics do?
Susan, as many intestinal problems are related to hypersensitivity to food-related items, your first veterinarian was correct to try a diet change. As often happens, the doctor giving the second opinion has the advantage of knowing what the first veterinarian has tried that didn’t work. Bottom line? Your kitty is better and everyone is happy.
Our cat suffered with an intestinal infection for 6 months. I took him to a new veterinarian and the doctor gave him a series of two shots of Convenia two weeks apart, and it was like a miracle. The former veterinarian changed his diet, treated him with other antibotics and nothing worked until he received Convenia. We will be forever grateful for this wonderful drug.
Vickie, if it’s working, certainly no one is going to argue with it!
My cat Chobe has had chronic pancreatitis for almost 2 years. He is maintained on an oral antibiotic but recently had an acute episode when it got a lot worse. Chobe has now had 2 Convenia injections (I’m getting ready to give him his third injection) and he is MUCH better. His insulin needs have gone back down and he is much more active – almost symptom free. I understand that antibiotics don’t necessarily work for an acute episode of chronic pancreatitis – but it has sure helped my kitty and I thank you.
Cynthia, sometimes what LOOKS like UTI isn’t. Click here to read a single post about Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, in which we discuss some of the potential complicating factors. As you have time you can click here to access a list of posts we’ve written on the topic. Read those and you’ll be well-educated when you go back to talk to your local veterinarian about exactly what is causing your kitty’s difficulty. Only he can tell you exactly what’s going on.
Hi Doc, my cat was given Convenia for her UTI which was very bad (blood and all) on Friday night and today is Tuesday. I thought she was doing well, until this morning when I saw blood on my floor again. I was so heartbroken all over again. I thought was recovering and now blood again. She is also on methigel, and special food to help her with her UTI. What do you think this could be?
I’m sorry, but Convenia, like all antibiotics, is a prescription medication, and can only be dispensed from a veterinarian with whom you have a doctor-client-patient relationship. Please see your veterinarian for care.
Im a 10 month greatdane female i need convenia again…my mother put like 3000$ on me since 6 month i had demodex ive been sterilised for less come back of this and after all that i loose my fur my skin is dry i try the natural method since one week…can i die fault of no convenia my weight 120 pound im lazy , anxiety , shake … =( how much for convenia please help be i buy right now i love my mother and she love me im her queen wait for answer thks xx
We are saddened to hear of the passing of your kitty, Woody. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and what your veterinarian had to say about the cause of death.
Nine year old male cat with Crylotkorax. Doctor drained the chest area of cat drawing about eight ounces of fluid. Doctor then give cat Convenia and Vetalog when stable. On hour later cat had rapid breathing and heart rate. Dealth resulted. Any feed back?
Debbie, there are so many factors in upper respiratory tract infections of cats there is no way to give a one-size-fits-all answer. Fever, congestion, amount and location of congestion, whether cough is present in addition to sneezing, other complicating factors, such as diarrhea, percentage of illness caused by viral disease versus bacterial disease (I could go on and on). I would say if my kitty were not eating in 3 days or if he were not substantially improved in his respiratory tract signs in a week I’d be on the phone, making another appointment with my veterinarian. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
My 10 week old kitten was given Convenia for a upper respiratory infection. How long does it take to see improvement? He is sneezing and coughing.
My cat Max 19 months old had a large open wound on Friday his skin was torn up and you could could see the muscle on his gluteous. We don’t know how this happen since he is an outdoor cat during the day. We took him to the vet on Saturday and they flush and closed the wound. He also got an injection of Convenia. First when he was examined on Saturday he had a temperature of 103. Is Monday now and his temperature is over 104. I when back to the vet and got another antibiotic injection Baytril and IV fluids. I don’t understand why the first antibiotic Convenia didn’t work since is a long lasting antibiotic? I’m concern about his still fever and how long is going to take to be resolved? Thanks!
Update 2: The barium moved through to her colon over 6 hours. They described this as “slow, but no clear indication of an obstruction.” I brought her home and she is resting. I removed the fentanyl patch and that seems to have helped slightly although she is clearly in discomfort still as evidenced by her whining. Basically, 3 days, $2,000 and many injections and stressful trauma to her later? They still don’t know anything definitive as to a cause. I’m beside myself and inclined to keep her home for awhile longer to see if she improves/develops any appetite. VERY heartbreaking/frustrating.
Dog is in emergency care facility for past 9 hours undergoing barium xrays to check for blockages. So far, no blockage detected and barium is 1/2 thru intestines. Will call in 3 hours for status report and I’m told if no blockage is detected, they will keep her overnight and try to feed her. Until they detect blockage (likely necessitating surgery?) or she eats on her own if no blockage is found, they will keep her there on IV fluids.
P.S. so far the bill is $2,200 and they still don’t know what’s wrong and she still wont eat or drink on her own.