Delayed Convenia Reaction?

I gotta tell ya - I go to what is supposed to be the premier veterinary clinic in the area and just realized that the cat I brought in in December got a shot of convenia. 

I am very happy with the vet clinic I use, but I'm disturbed that she didn't discuss it with me.  One thing I wasn't prepared for in this new journey though animal medical care is the need to be vigilant with the vets.  Which is hard when you don't know what you don't know.   Plus, why would she give him an antibiotic shot rather than discussing my ability to pill him?  Plus why wouldn't you use the least risky option

Anyway, as I've written about here, two weeks after that vet visit later he ended up in the emergency clinic because of vomiting and collapsing.  Two weeks after that kind of the same thing, vomiting, lethargy and anorexia (but no collapsing thank god.)  He's still not quite 100%.  

Is it possible the shot could be the problem?  It was several weeks afterward that he got sick?

While I'm not sure it can be ruled out, I would expect a reaction sooner. Yes, Convenia does stay in the system; but, it looses its potency over time.

I've used Convenia with several cats (some feral that simply couldn't be medicated and some for very specific issues) and I haven't had any problems. I know there have been some animals that have shown a sensitivity or even an intolerance for it, but I think that goes for any medication.

I wonder if your kitty had pancreatitis or a virus that made him so sick? What tests were done at the time?

I've never used Convenia but have heard that is is not a recommended antibiotic due to the side effects. Here is some info: http://catinfo.org/?link=convenia

Reba said:

 
I gotta tell ya - I go to what is supposed to be the premier veterinary clinic in the area and just realized that the cat I brought in in December got a shot of convenia. 

I am very happy with the vet clinic I use, but I'm disturbed that she didn't discuss it with me.  One thing I wasn't prepared for in this new journey though animal medical care is the need to be vigilant with the vets.  Which is hard when you don't know what you don't know.   Plus, why would she give him an antibiotic shot rather than discussing my ability to pill him?  Plus why wouldn't you use the least risky option

Anyway, as I've written about here, two weeks after that vet visit later he ended up in the emergency clinic because of vomiting and collapsing.  Two weeks after that kind of the same thing, vomiting, lethargy and anorexia (but no collapsing thank god.)  He's still not quite 100%.  

Is it possible the shot could be the problem?  It was several weeks afterward that he got sick?

Click to expand...

Did your cat recover from Convenia shot?

Well I'm still not sure that was the reason, but he has gotten back to his old self.  Thanks for asking!

Reba said:

 
Well I'm still not sure that was the reason, but he has gotten back to his old self.  Thanks for asking!

Click to expand...

It is great that your cat recovered; so you can say no to convenia in future! It really is an awful product and many cats died from it.  And you are so right one has to be extra vigilant when going to the vets. It is best telling them you want to discuss  every treatment in  advance and ask for a printout of medical history for each visit. 

I have done some research on Convenia and the side effects are anemia, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting.  While the antibiotic stays only for 14 days convenia is in their system for 65 days wreaking havoc.  Both of my cats received convenia shots after dental care. Felix vomited for 9 months...he died a couple of weeks ago.  I believe the convenia to be one of the precursers to his death  I contacted the FDA to inform them of the issues with convenia...I read their research and several cats had issues with kidney problems and liver problems during the trials.  There are several websites where cats have had issues with the convenia shots that have cause life threatening emergency room for days or weeks.   The length of time that convenia is in a cats system is not necessarily a good thing especially when the antibiotic portion wears off after 2 weeks...that leaves the cat with the other problems to contend with...My other cat also had convenia she still has some issues but I think she may be out of the woods...some of the same symptoms as felix  (felix had kidney issues going into surgery...convenia did not help

I wish you the best of luck with your cat...if I find any other information I will try to post it on this site.  If you need anything please don't hesitate to contact me  [email protected]

Sheryl

Reba, how did you treat your car's anorexia and vomiting during these periods? My cat had Convenia 16 days ago and had terrible lethargy immediately. She began to perk up on Day 10, but since then has had a complete lack of appetite. She has been given sub-q fluids and on Friday was given an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine), which helped although it made her drowsy yesterday. Today is Sunday and she just vomited on an empty stomach... This is the first time she has vomited since the shot. I feel like side effects keep presenting themselves, one by one. Reba, of you're still reading this thread, how did you treat your cat's symptoms?

Hi,  Yes the convenia shot could definitely be the problem.

I hope your cat has recovered by now.  There are many animals that have not recovered from Convenia including my Felix who died  in 2015 from complications from the convenia shot and shoddy vet care at Banfield.

One really important thing to know about convenia is that it can cause lethargy, anoerexia, kidney and liver issues.

This drug lasts 72 days but only works as an antibiotic for 14 days

If you would like to read up on the drug the manufacturers are zoetix and Pfizer.  The drug is supposed to be used for skin infections.  It targets the bacteria that is normally in cats mouths so using convenia to eliminate bacteria for a cat would eliminate healthy bacteria for them making them sicker not healthierl

The FDA has information about its approval and symptoms etc.

There is also quite a bit of info on this site about Convenia...a lot of animals have gotten really sick from it and even died

Baby food is always an option to keep them fed...

I hope your cat is ok, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

Thank you

Sheryl Murphy