Recommended Dosage and Administration of Convenia (Cefovecin) for Dogs and Cats
For treating bacterial infections in dogs and cats, Convenia (cefovecin) should be administered as a single subcutaneous injection of 8 mg/kg (3.6 mg/lb) body weight. 1
Dosing Guidelines
Dogs:
- Administer a single subcutaneous injection of 8 mg/kg (3.6 mg/lb) body weight 1
- Therapeutic drug concentrations are maintained for 7 days for Staphylococcus intermedius infections and 14 days for Streptococcus canis (Group G) infections 1
- A second injection may be administered if response to therapy is not complete, but maximum treatment should not exceed 2 injections 1
- Clinical studies have shown that this dosage is safe and effective for treating bacterial folliculitis, abscesses, and infected wounds in dogs 2
Cats:
- Administer a single, one-time subcutaneous injection at a dose of 8 mg/kg (3.6 mg/lb) body weight 1
- Therapeutic concentrations are maintained for approximately 7 days for Pasteurella multocida infections 1
- Studies have demonstrated that a single injection is as effective as oral antibiotics administered daily for 14 days in treating abscesses and infected wounds in cats 3, 4
Preparation and Administration
- Reconstitute Convenia aseptically with 10 mL Sterile Water for Injection 1
- Shake and allow vial to sit until all material is visually dissolved 1
- The resulting solution contains cefovecin sodium equivalent to 80 mg/mL cefovecin 1
- Store the vial in the original carton and refrigerate when not in use as Convenia is light sensitive 1
- Use the entire contents of the vial within 56 days of reconstitution 1
Dosage Table for Quick Reference
| Weight of Animal | Volume of CONVENIA (3.6 mg/lb or 0.045 mL/lb) |
|---|---|
| 5 lb | 0.23 mL |
| 10 lb | 0.45 mL |
| 15 lb | 0.67 mL |
| 20 lb | 0.90 mL |
| 40 lb | 1.8 mL |
| 80 lb | 3.6 mL |
Clinical Considerations
- Obtain a sample of the lesion for culture and susceptibility testing prior to beginning antimicrobial therapy 1
- If no improvement is seen within 3-4 days, re-evaluate the diagnosis and consider alternative therapy 1
- Cefovecin has demonstrated bactericidal activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens commonly associated with skin, urinary tract, and periodontal infections 5
- The MIC90 values of cefovecin against Staphylococcus intermedius, Escherichia coli, and Pasteurella multocida are 0.25 μg/ml, 1.0 μg/ml, and 0.06 μg/ml, respectively 5
Important Precautions
- Convenia may persist in the body for up to 65 days 1
- The effect of remaining concentrations of cefovecin on any subsequent antimicrobial therapies has not been determined 1
- Fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside antimicrobials have been reported to be compatible with cephalosporin antimicrobial agents 1
- As a third-generation cephalosporin, cefovecin is considered a critically important antimicrobial that ideally should only be used after culture and susceptibility testing 6
- Consider the risk of antimicrobial resistance development when prescribing this medication 6