Kimber writes with a question about her kitty: My 17 year old cat got an upper respiratory infection in early April. Last year, he had tremendous trouble with amoxicillin and clindamycin, vomiting 6-8 times after eating even if I gave him yogurt to help with digestion. Therefore, I insisted that something else be used in April. They gave him an injection of Convenia, but now he is sneezing and snarking again, as well as blowing tiny nose bubbles. I know Convenia has some deadly risks and am fearful of tempting fate. What do you recommend be done at this point?Kimber, thank you for the opportunity to write about Convenia. It is such an incredibly useful drug and we use massive volumes of it.
On the Internet you can read plenty of negative material about every drug that has ever been manufactured, US or foreign. I have addressed some of those comments in this post. Besides, 64% of the medical information on the Internet is either outdated, or outright wrong.
For a variety of cat problems, bacterial respiratory tract diseases included, Convenia is terrific and quite safe. Of course, there is no such thing as a 100% safe pharmaceutical, and a 17-year-old kitty is likely to have other physical and metabolic problems, too.
Age-appropriate laboratory testing should be performed at least every six months on patients in this age group, when possible.
If our Martha, who is also 17 and has kidney disease, were to develop a respiratory tract infection for which Convenia was appropriate, I wouldn’t hesitate to administer it to her.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
covenia, convina, convinia, covinia
Dear Dr Randolph
I’m so glad that I found you again.
First, I want to thank you for your reply regarding my boy Cody.
I’m extremely relieved that you said his CKD had nothing to do with the battery.
It seems like it was a terrible timing event that had nothing to do with his passing.
I still am filled with anguish because I don’t understand how he would pass away at just under the age of 6, And, from what the vet said could have been a blood clot to Cody’s brain.
I am at a loss for understanding what happened to him.
My kitty’s are 100% indoors.
The only time they spent outside is when they were living in a cat community in avocado orchards, for what the TNR program said was
1 year based on Cody&Catey’s given age.
They were both full grown so they could be older.
I just thought about that just now.
Thy both had a snap test for fiv/felv, and were negative, done by the rescue. They also neutered and spayed them.
When I took them in for well kitty checks
3 months after I got them the vet said they didn’t need any vaccinations because they won’t be going outside.
Neither one has ever had heartworm vaccinations.
I say this because I never knew about the possibility of them having heart worm until I found it in my research looking for answers,
Could my Cody have had that ?
I’ve gone a-z with the list of anything inside the house that he could have been exposed to
and found nothing. I don’t even have real plants in my house. He did get hold of a few roaches from the neighbors house bext door but the vet said it had nothing to do with it.
The only thing I agonized about was that battery.
In March, a few months ago,
I found that battery that I had put into a ziplock bag, for reference if I needed it, and I found that it had leaked in the bag.
Dr Randolph,
I need your assurance yet again.
If Cody had gotten ANY of it’s contents in him,
Could it have caused his kidneys to fail, or caused a blood clot to his brain.
The vet told me it could have been undiagnosed congenital heart disease
That could have caused kidney failure.
When I took him to the vet on 8/16/21,
Which was 2 months from the event,
Is when I found out he had CHD
Everything in his labs indicated it and I was chronic, as you said.
I’ve since learned that potassium means something and it was 5.0.
I remembered His thyroid was a little low so the Dr. Did put Cody on a med for that but he had only gotten a few doses of that.
I think it was called levothyroxin.
They also saw that my baby had an ulcer in his mouth so the vet fave gave him baytril, on 8/31/21. Cody passed on 9/1/21.
I know it won’t bring my Precious Cody back
But I’m hoping once again my mind can find some peace.
I pray I will hear from you again,
and I’m thanking you in advance for your time.
Again, I would send you Cody’s reports if if it might help
I’d be very glad to pay you for a consultation
Very sincerely,
Debi
I’m so sorry, but there are just too many possibilities, and we will never know what took Cody, for 100% sure. The bottom line is you did all of the right things, his veterinarians did all the right things, and the Lord decided it was time for Cody to come home to Heaven. Sad as it is, we just have to accept that, go through the steps of grieving, and heal. Please stay in touch, Dr. Randolph.
Thank You Dr. Randolph for referral to the website.
My guilt over the worry about that battery possibly causing kidney failure or a blood clot to Cody’s brain is tearing me apart.
I’m desperately seeking assurance that it wasn’t the cause.
Have you ever heard of the possibilities
Of any connection?
I also don’t remember mentioning that Cody was showing signs of exercise intolerance and lower energy level going back to March of 2021, that’s 4months prior
The only reason I know that is because I have countless videos of my kitty’s when we played, and on review,I could see and remember he was watching Catey play more than he participated, any they were inseparable. Completely bonded.
I thought about it at the time but I thought it might be because he gained a little weight and just didn’t feel like playing as much. It was subtle, but now looking back it wasn’t so subtle.
That was more than 3 months before the battery event.
Could he have been showing symptoms then about his Kidneys or heart ?
I have read it’s possible,
but at a younger age ?
I understand what you meant when you said there are so many possibilities,
But can exposure to that battery be ruled out?
Thank You for being there Dr Randolph,
And I’m hoping to hear back.
I know for sure that God loves his animals and that my Cody is with Him now with all of our precious loving little ones, and Cody is up there with the Lord.
I believe I will be with Cody again
I believe we will All be with our four legged family again
Thank you again Dr Randolph,
I appreciate you,
God Bless You
Debi
Thank you for your blessings, Miss Debi. You can be at peace. Dr. Randolph.
My cat began sneezing Thursday. Friday, after work, I took her to the vet. I was told that her lungs are clear and she was given a shot of convenia 22 hours later, and she is not really much better. When I turned to the internet, I read that the drug is most commonly used for skin infections and is not great for respiratory infections. I became concerned that I had just thrown away money and also concerned for my cat. I have read with interest the thread here and see that some vets do use the drug for other infections. Is convenia. a controversial drug to use?
It all depends on whom you ask. Google “Convenia killed my cat” and you’ll find LOTS of controversy. It’s never caused problems in our practice. That said, respiratory infection is cats is VERY complicated, and bacteria, viruses, chlamydia and mycoplasma can be causative agents. Antibiotics treat ONLY bacterial infection, and no one antibiotic kills them all. Keep your veterinarian apprised so that he may modify your kitty’s treatment, if needed. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Dear Dr Randolph,
I have almost exhausted the internet looking for help in finding answers for what happened to my Precious cat Cody.
I’m hoping and praying you will be able to help me get closure.
Several things involved here.
On July 3rd, Cody got hold of a aaa battery, and before I could stop him,
He punctured it with his tooth.
It did no leak, and he was and remained completely asymptomatic of any exposure to anything inside the battery.
I was so relieved that he was ok.
On August 10th, I thought he might be constipated, which would have been the first time. I called the vet and was told to give him pumpkin purée, and because I felt that sixth sense feeling something was not right somehow, I made an appointment and took him in for a check up.
The pumpkin purée worked, which was good.
The vet checked him all over from his mouth and gums tk his tail.
I asked him to ho ahead and do a
CBC and UA because I felt he was
Off somehow. He was spending a lot of time in the loaf position, but other than that no symptoms of anything.
I was shocked to find out 2 days later
that my Cody had CKD.
Dr Dr said nothing in the labs tod him that he had any infection so he said I should put Cody on kidney diet.
Then a few days later Cody didn’t want to eat.
I took him back in and the vet said he was a little dehydrated so he gave him sub Q’s with b12.
I asked him , could he gave an infection somewhere and need antibiotics and
he said no, it wasn’t indicated.
Cody was going downhill.
He was acting normal still but his every level was less. I was now force feeding him the new diet.
He was acting now like gdd Ed had a uti.
He was going v in and out of the box.
When I took him back in the vet said
He had no fever because I asked, and gave him more fluids.
He explained that CKD was causing him to drink more.
Hi was now afraid he could have an obstruction.
I told the vet.
He said his UA showed no sign of crystals.
I wish I could share the reports with you.
I took Cody in on August 30th because he became lethargic,
I told the vet we need intervention for Cody- Now!
He said his breath was not good.
I said please help!
He put Cody on an IV and he stayed in the hospital on the 30th, and on the 31st the vet said Cody’s numbers were improving by 10 points so that was good and we should keep him another nitty and see how he is that next morning.
I visited Cody 2 times each day
2 hours each time and he seemed ti feel better but they still needed to feed him.
The next morning the get called me at 7am, and told me that my Cody had a blood clot to his brain that took him.
He said he knew because of the position that Cody was in.
I have not stopped researching since that day trying to find out what happened to Cody
Could it have been because of that battery. Again he was completely asymptomatic from that event,
and it had even been over 2 months prior.
Could it have been an infection that went to his kidneys
and because no antibiotic was given ,
he went from infection induced CKD to acute kidney failure
Coyod he have had h art disease that would have caused a blood clot.
Dr. Randolph,
My life is on hold. I can’t eat or sleep right.
I still have Cody’s sister and my senior girl Abby that will be 16.
Cody was only almost 6 years old.
Catey too.
I rescued them from a tnr program.
They were in a colony., at 1 yr old.
Could it have been fiv or FELV.
I can’t thank you enough for reading this and I’m praying I will hear back from you.
I will send you all of Cody’s records on your request and please let me know what the consultation will be so that I will pay you for your time if this would be possible.
God bless you for all that you do to help all people and pets.
Sincerely,
Debi
It wasn’t the battery. A key word in CRF is “chronic.” As his renal failure was “chronic” it was bound to catch up with him eventually. You did nothing wrong. You did everything right. May the Lord comfort you as you grieve and seek to heal from the loss of this precious baby. Dr. Randolph.
I took my cat in to the vet 6days ago because she was vomiting and not eating but drinking lots of water well they didn’t really diagnose her with anything but gave her a shot of convenia and a shot of depo metrol and now she’s starting to sneeze really bad and wipe her nose so why is this and what shall I do
Your local doctor is in charge of your pet’s case and is familiar with her diagnosis and examination findings. Simply call him or her, tell him what you told me, and ask his advice for your next step.
Hi Dr. Randolph! I found your website and I’m hoping you might be able to offer some reassurance. I took my 15-year-old kitty to the vet today because he suddenly had several bad bouts of vomiting, facial tremors, and looked generally lethargic and sick. His normal vet was out so I took him to another vet who came recommended and they seemed very great. Bloodwork showed a high white blood cell count while everything else was great, so they are treating him for an infection. He was given an injection of Cerenia and Convenia. I googled each just to know if I had any side effects to be worried about and, well, you already know what comes up for Convenia. I am terrified, panicked, and feeling hopeless right now. I went through his records and his normal vet had given him a Convenia shot a few years ago for a different illness and he was fine. Do you think he should be fine again with this injection? I wish I had never googled it! I have health anxiety badly enough for myself, but for my babies it’s at a completely different level. Thanks for help and for your website, I’m glad I found it.
Based on my experience of untold numbers of injections, your kitty will be fine from Convenia. Of course, we’re always a little concerned when we can’t find the specific cause of the elevated WBC, but, if he responds to this treatment, he should be all fixed up. If he doesn’t the next step is imaging. Please write back next week and give us an update. Thanks for reading, Dr. Randolph.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply Dr. Randolph. I’ll absolutely follow up next week and we’ll look at imaging if things don’t improve. For right now he seems much perkier again and has been eating. I’ll try to control my own worries while he works on recovering 🙂
Hi. My cat was a domestic short hair 11 years old healthy cat. He is indoor/outdoor and was recently in a fight with another cat. He had a swollen right cheek and an infection in his eye. I took him to the veterinarian after and he was given Convenia 2 week shot. He died 18 days later on a neighbors steep upward driveway closer to the top and he had blood in his mouth and throat but no other injuries. Do you think he died from Convenia? Do you think the infection before I took him to the doctor spread? *the veterinarian did a blood test 6 months prior. Should he have done one before giving Convenia?
He was fine and didn’t have rabies or leukemia. If he had kidney disease should the dr have checked before giving the shot?
Before we let him out that night he appeared fine and was eating and drinking and within an hour and a half of being out he died. Could he have been poisoned by rat poison or hit by a car? We are trying to find out how he died.
We are so sorry for the loss of your kitty. An 11-year-old cat running around outside unsupervised … ANYthing could have taken him. The likelihood that Convenia was related to his death is nearly nil, especially 4 days AFTER it was no longer at therapeutic levels in his body. Could the infection have affected other parts of the body, including the brain? Certainly. Could he have experienced another injury after the first one? Certainly. Did he need laboratory testing prior to Convenia injection? No. Again, we are sorry for your loss. Thank you for reading, Dr. Randolph.
I don’t understand the 4 Days after part. I thought Convenia starts working within hours of giving the injection. My cat was given the shot about 5 Days after the infection and he died 18 Days later.
Do you think the likelihood points more that he died from the infection or from something else ?
From the time the injection is given, the medicine is at a therapeutic level for 14 days. After that, there is still active medicine in the body, but at sub-therapeutic levels. In other words, the Convenia was mostly gone by day 18. The possible causes of the loss of his life are limitless. Again, we are sorry for your loss, Dr. Randolph.
Regarding your cat, I’m very sorry about your loss. Its hard losing a pet especially when you don’t know exactly why. I believe convenia is very safe compared to some other antibiotics. For example, my dog has seizures and an infection of the skin for at least 6 yrs now. Convenia is the only antibiotic he can handle and he recently just had 3 in a row to try and clear up his infection, yet still has it. He had 2 or 3 in a row end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 and his infection was cleared up. This time its not working as well and his infection might be resistant to convenia because he has had quite a few convenia injections in those 6 yrs. Regarding your cat, there are so many different types of infections that need certain specific antibiotics to clear it up, its possible that convenia was not strong enough since I believe its not a very strong antibiotic ( I believe thats why my dog is fine with it but has needed so many in a row) but your cat had issues with oral antibiotics like my dog does so that makes fewer options, it depends on how bad the infection is or it could be a resistant form of bacteria that is harder to clear up and for a vet to know right away exactly which antibiotics to give is not easy sometimes (there are many but most are orally given) they sometimes need to try more than one after, if first doesn’t help. I am not positive but I think convenia is the only injectable antibiotic for animals. Anything could of happened so its hard to pinpoint but I understand why you would want to know why for closure but it could of been a number of things so I’m sorry you didn’t get a positive reason. And I hope you are doing okay from your loss, I know how hard it is to lose a pet suddenly.
I am glad convenia is on the market. I have a 15 year old with mild asthma and reccurant upper respiratory infections. She doesn’t tolerate other antibiotics well. I’m glad research continues and convenia is being carefully reviewed. My female has had it 4 times in her life, and at least for her, no bad reactions, and less side effects. My vet does not prescribe antibiotics with dentals, even extractions and includes a free recheck. Have never needed antibiotics for that. I say that just to say he isn’t quick with over use. I hope there is continued review, but I for one hope that vets have some descretion, and if a cat has proven tolerant and has problems with other choices, I’m glad it’s in their tool kit. The last time she was sick, it was pretty bad, and in a short amount of time I had my cat back, paying toys, and sleeping in fab spots not closet. Priceless. In summary, it seems that this is a good medication for many pets. Thanks for posting if a while ago!
i have a 17 yr old cat with hyperthyroidism, kidney disease and bad arthritis in her back legs, she is now incontinent of urine and feces, and recently had a convenia injection for UTI now she looks at me and cries all the time i feel it is time to euthanize her as she isn’t happy. The vet has discussed palliation for pain. what is the best choice?
There are only a few choices for pain management for cats. The veterinarian treating your kitty is in the best position to recommend the right choice. If you are unable to control her pain, your decision may be made for you. I am so sorry you are having to face this sadness.
I have a 14-year old cat with abdominal lymphoma and I’ve been giving him prednisilone, prilosec and chlorambucil for a year and he was fine but recently started peeing outside the litter box and he vomited water a few times. Took him in for bloodwork & urinalysis and he has the beginning of kidney disease. In case of an infection, he was given a shot of convenia. Was fine for a few days but then appetite fell off. He hasn’t eaten anything solid since Tuesday night. It’s now Friday. Drinks water, pees and takes his meds and only got him to drink a little tuna and sardine water. Taking him in later today. He got the shot 8 days ago. I’m concerned that his appetite won’t return.
Despite the internet hysteria about Convenia, you have nothing to worry from it. Good for you for taking him back today, because, with all those problems, he can’t afford not to eat. By “abdominal lymphoma” do you mean it’s in his intestinal tract, just in abdominal lymph nodes or lymph nodes and spleen? To read about kidney failure, click here. I’ll say a prayer for your baby, too. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
Dear sir, my best friend has been told that Convenia is needed to treat her cat’s upper respiratory infection. She currently has no income and cannot pay the price of over three hundred dollars to treat her cats. She lives in a urban area a has an outdoor feeding station and so has become responsible for close to a dozen cats and kittens most of whom were abandoned by people who left the animals behind when they moved out. She is not a cat ‘hoarder,’ just a concerned animal lover. Can you suggest a cheaper antibiotic than Convenia, maybe something our local Southern States carries? They do have the liquid penicillin.
I feel your pain, Phyllis. Since Convenia came along we no longer carry the most common oral antibiotics we used to use on cats. There is no need, in the vast majority of cases. However, every once in a while we do find a need for one of them. Here is what I suggest: Ask your friend’s veterinarian if he carries liquid amoxicillin or Clavamox. If not, you could call around town to try to find a practice that does, at which time your friend’s veterinarian could just authorize the other clinic to dispense it. Alternatively, your friend’s veterinarian might be able to order just one or two bottles, and he might be willing to do so if he doesn’t have to order a case quantity. Please let me know if one of those options works. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.