How Long Does It Take for Convenia to Work in Cats?

Convenia is an antibiotic that has become widely used in the last decades as it is long-action (therefore, a single injection, lasts for more time compared to other medications) and quite effective.

In this post, we’ll answer the question in the title, but we’ll also look at some other facts about this specific antibiotic, its potential side effects, as well as other info you should be aware of.

(image credits: lambertvetsupply.com)

How long does it take for Convenia to work in cats?

Contents

The most important benefit of Convenia is that it reaches peak blood levels in around 6 hours. After that, its bacteria-killing properties last for up to 14 days. Naturally, there can be differences from one cat to the next.

In some cats, Convenia can start doing its job after just 3 hours following its administration. In others, the effects might not last for two full weeks – rather 10 to 12 days. By that time, however, most bacterial infections are resolved.

(image credits: vetdepo.ro)

How much time does it take before Convenia is fully eliminated from my pet’s body?

Since this is a very long-action drug, it can take up to five to six additional days for it to be completely eliminated through your cat’s excretory system following the 14-day period. As every day goes by, the quantity of the antibiotic in the cat’s body decreases.

Every antibiotic manufacturer has to specify this detail. While it might be less important in some species, such as pets, it’s very much so in farm animals. For example, you shouldn’t consume the eggs of chickens that are undergoing treatment with antibiotics or that are still in that ‘waiting period’ recommended after the therapy has ended.

The reason for this is that by eating those eggs, you will be effectively ingesting the antibiotic, too. And in some cases, this can lead to antibiotic resistance, a problem that has been affecting our society for many years.

How is Convenia administered?

Convenia is an antibiotic that is administered through an injection in a single dose. In some situations, a second dose can be administered by the veterinarian, but this happens very rarely and only if your pet’s infection doesn’t seem to have fully resolved.

Does Convenia have any side effects?

Pretty much any type of antibiotic can cause an adverse reaction, and this is even truer for animals that were never treated with it before. The most severe reaction is an allergic one, and some dogs and cats can suffer anaphylactic shock if they are allergic to cephalosporins or penicillins.

However, this side effect happens seldomly, and the most common ones are the following:

Digestive distress (diarrhea)
A lower or lack of appetite
Apathy

When should a Convenia injection be given to cats?

This is an interesting question as the only time when a cat has to receive this treatment is after a bacterial culture and an antibiogram have revealed the type of germ and whether or not it is sensitive to Convenia.

Since this is not the cheapest medication in the world, it’s not the elective therapy of all bacterial infections. However, for those that seem to be more complicated, it is quite effective so long as the microorganism is indeed killed by it.

If the microbiological tests aren’t performed, you have no way of knowing whether this antibiotic will work or not. In most cases, though, veterinarians recommend these tests so that the infection is treated appropriately and in as little time as possible.

How can I get Convenia?

You can’t buy Convenia from a veterinary drugstore or pet shop or even online as it is a prescription-only medication. Only vets are allowed to purchase and use it in their practice.

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