Elmvale Farm: Convenia

Off-Label Use

Convenia has been in use globally since 2006 and in the United States since 2008. It is only approved for treating skin wounds and abscesses caused by a specific pathogen. Sampling and susceptibility testing is recommended prior to treatment. It is contraindicated in cats with known allergies to certain other medications, has not been determined safe for kittens under four months or for breeding or lactating cats, and can produce many adverse reactions. It is convenient because a single injection will provide seven days of treatments (or 14 according to some published articles). Also, according to some articles, as small study found it effective in treating urinary tract infections caused by specific bacteria. But other articles note it should not be used in cats with severe kidney problems (renal dysfunction). You will see this drug was given to cats diagnosed with kidney disease. Did you know that using antibiotics off-label is common among medical practitioners? Are medical practitioners required to inform you if they are recommending a treatment off-label? Treating without knowing the specific pathogen they are treating is also common among practitioners. This page contains pertinent excerpts from the Convenia product insert as relates to cats. Links to the full insert and other references are included below.

Indications

Cats

CONVENIA is indicated for the treatment of skin infections (wounds and abscesses) in cats caused by susceptible strains of Pasteurella multocida.

Dosage and Administration:

Cats

CONVENIA should be administered as a single, one-time subcutaneous injection at a dose of 3.6 mg/lb (8 mg/kg) body weight. After an injection of CONVENIA, therapeutic concentrations are maintained for approximately 7 days for Pasteurella multocida infections.

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.

Contradindications

CONVENIA is contraindicated in dogs and cats with known allergy to cefovecin or to β-lactam (penicillins and cephalosporins) group antimicrobials. Anaphylaxis has been reported with the use of this product in foreign market experience. If an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis occurs, CONVENIA should not be administered again and appropriate therapy should be instituted. Anaphylaxis may require treatment with epinephrine and other emergency measures, including oxygen, intravenous fluids, intravenous antihistamine, corticosteroids, and airway management, as clinically indicated. Adverse reactions may require prolonged treatment due to the prolonged systemic drug clearance (65 days).

Precautions

Prescribing antibacterial drugs in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to provide benefit to treated animals and may increase the risk of the development of drug-resistant animal pathogens.

The safe use of CONVENIA in dogs or cats less than 4 months of age (see Animal Safety) and in breeding or lactating animals has not been determined. Safety has not been established for IM or IV administration. The long-term effects on injection sites have not been determined. CONVENIA is slowly eliminated from the body, approximately 65 days is needed to eliminate 97% of the administered dose from the body. Animals experiencing an adverse reaction may need to be monitored for this duration.

Adverse Reactions

A total of 291 cats, ranging in age from 2.4 months (one cat) to 21 years, were included in the field study safety analysis. Adverse reactions reported in cats treated with CONVENIA include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia/decreased appetite, lethargy, hyper/acting strange, inappropriate urination. Some cats may have experienced more than one adverse reaction or more than one occurrence of the same adverse reaction during the study.

One CONVENIA-treated cat in a separate field study experienced diarrhea post-treatment lasting 42 days.

FOREIGN MARKET EXPERIENCE: The following adverse events were reported voluntarily during post-approval use of the product in dogs and cats in foreign markets: death, tremors/ataxia, seizures, anaphylaxis, acute pulmonary edema, facial edema, injection site reactions (alopecia, scabs, necrosis, and erythema), hemolytic anemia, salivation, pruritus, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetance.

- Evidence -

Convenia® (cefovecin sodium)