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Just Say NO To Convenia.. This is a dangerous drug...

Hello Everyone,

I was asked to post my information and video about Convenia here. This drug isn't safe due to how long it stays in the system alone. If your cat or dog has a bad reaction it will be very difficult to counteract that. I hope this will help someone avoid the death or harm of their beloved cat or dog. Please inform yourselves about Convenia if you're not familiar with and request that NO CONVENIA be put in the charts. Lets take this drug off the market for good..

My cat Angelina had a reaction to Convenia only 10 days before she passed away. I did a necropsy at Cornell Hospital Pathology Dept. They found that they think she had liver adenoma/ cholangiocarcinoma as well as acute myeloid leukemia. In spite of the fact that she had an end stage liver cancer, it seems, nothing to that effect showed up in her blood work until 4 days after the Convenia shot. At that point her AST was elevated but not tremendously and they thought she had an infection. 4 days after that she had become severely anemic, there was no sign of anemia in any of her blood work before this. She also had a 4 minute claw test, which means she took 4 minutes to stop bleeding.

The findings at Cornell said that they did not believe Convenia caused her anemia, not because it wasn't possible, but because Convenia hasn't been reported to cause anemia. This isn't true, read Dr. Pierson's website, read Pfizer's own foreign market results which state it has caused hemolytic anemia- I have also communicated with someone else whose cat developed hemolytic anemia and who passed away after 4 blood transfusions and I have read other accounts of anemic reactions. So this drug does cause anemia as well as many other severe effects.

When Angie received Convenia she had what seemed to be a cold which wasn't going away, she didn't seem gravely ill at that point. She had had some weight loss in July, but her blood work was normal. We did a thyroid panel in September which was fine. Then she had some hair loss for which I never found out the cause yet.

After Convenia, she developed a high fever, she became extremely doped, she was hiding in the closet and she stopped eating completely. Throughout this she kept seeming to revive as if her body was trying to fight off the reaction. She was given Orbax and her fever lowered and she ate three dishes of food, but then she regressed and started hiding again.. it was at this point I believe the anemia began... I had given her fluids at home and the next day when I brought her for an ultrasound of her abdomen, they thought from an xray that she had possible pancreatitis and had given her more meds for that, she had a large bruise at the site of the fluids.

That day her dvm told me she was severely anemic and she thought Angie was dying... the dvm was very upset- she was crying. I took Angie to a speciality hospital where she was given iv fluids, pain killers and tested. They told me that night they were considering Convenia as a cause of her anemia, I had just read all about it, not having been warned of any of the severe side effects, and I called them to tell them about that. I decided to take her home and try to treat both the cancer and the FeLV( see below) with steroids and other drugs, but I knew the next day she was in too much pain and I had to let her go.

Now that it has been determined that she had a non felv related cancer, as well as acute myeloid leukemia, which could or could not have been caused by FeLV, she had one inconclusive and one positive eliza test but no IFA test, which I was finally informed of the day she left the speciality hospital, I fear that both Pfizer and dvm societies will not believe that Convenia played a role in her death.

I still plan to file reports with Pfizer and with the FDA as well as warn everyone I can not to use Convenia. I will never use this drug again- I had already refused it once in July when Angie developed a cold after receiving two vaccinations. I had stopped vaccinating my cats due to health issues and I decided to do a rabies which I was still doing as well as a distemper. I think that was the trigger for her FeLV, assuming she really had this, because it stimulated her immune system too much. Angie was one of two kits of a feral queen  who was put to sleep in a shelter, I believe that she may have contracted felv from her mom and then fought it off, but the virus hid in her bone marrow to later resurface.

I had never heard of Convenia before that but I rejected it on the basis that it stays in the system too long. I will always regret giving her Convenia, but had I been warned about the severe side effects reported in foreign market studies I NEVER would have allowed it. I think it is crazy that DVM aren't required to warn us about all of this.   Please see my video Just Say NO to Convenia at youtube.

Please inform yourself because no one else is going to unless this drug is removed from the market, which is my goal. Don't risk the health and lives of your beloved fur babies. There are plenty of safe alternatives to Convenia. I would avoid Baytril also as I have read that it causes blindness and possibly other effects.

Please see my video "Just Say NO To Convenia"  linked below for further information on how to treat an adverse Convenia reaction- aggressive probiotic therapy has been used successfully.

Here is a list of adverse reactions reported in the foreign market study conducted by Pfizer: Please report all adverse events to Pfizer and to the FDA. 1-800-366-5288

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.
For a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or to report a suspected adverse reaction call Pfizer Animal Health at 1-800-366-5288.

"High doses of Cefovecin sodium (Convenia) can cause nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatitis, changes in the blood leukogram and thrombocytopenia." *This is from Pfizer or another drug promoter's own literature- unfortunately for some cats and dogs this happens with one NORMAL dose.

Occasionally, cephalosporins and NSAIDs have been associated with myelotoxicity, thereby creating a toxic neutropenia4. Other hematological reactions seen with cephalosporins include neutropenia, anemia, hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT), platelet dysfunction and transient increases in serum aminotransferases.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk4MnjGUCGo
152 Responses
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874521 tn?1424116797
oh karen I am so sorry to read abt poor little Murphy. Vets who continue to use this drug make me so very angry.....
I've no experience with it other than what I've read...and many have said to use a probiotic..so I will recommend a good one and where to buy it in powder form. just a sprinkle mixed in the food is good or when not eating well mix with a small amount of water and give via a dropper

http://www.iherb.com/Garden-of-Life-Primal-Defense-Powder-HSO-Probiotic-Formula-81-g/3159

I'm glad you decided to start 'assist feed' and give water too...poor little mite just doesn't feel hungry right now, but hopefully she is able to clear this drug from her system and will soon get back to eating and recover fully for you..

I am praying for her Karen ((hugs))♥
Helpful - 1
506791 tn?1439842983
Hey all...going to offer a positive set of anecdotes.

First off, our vet is very careful and conscientious. An example is no unnecessary vaccines. They went to the 3-year rabies when it was approved. They would titer testing, if it was legal in Maryland.  They also try hard to never over medicate.

That being said, they do use Convenia.

Long time readers will be familiar with the semi-famous Miss Teia Honey (June 1997 - November 2018). Over the course of her 6 years under their care, she had 3 Convenia treatments, the last about 6 months before ongoing kidney trouble became full blown failure. Teia had no adverse reactions

Teia's young courtier, the large and lovely Mr Cooper (born 27 May 2014), had a Convenia shot when he had a tooth extracted last year. Again, no adverse reaction.

I am wondering, in the face of all the adverse reactions, if this medication has bee reformulated?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, my cat had a uti 6 weeks ago and took her to the vet, they gave her a shot of Convenia. She immediately got better but after reading about this drug I don't want her to ever have it again. She is showing signs of uti again today, 6 weeks later. I don't know what to do, any suggestions?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just know that Covenia killed my cat along with the morphine they gave him. I will never forgive that vet for not warning me that he could have a adverse effect on him and other animals have died after recieving the shot. I did not know what it was until the next day. That is just plain wrong! My cat was dead 2 weeks later- not hard to figure out what killed him since what he had was not life threatening- but an abcess in his foot. Vets have a responsibility to pet owners to be honest but most of them aren't they just want your money- I trust vets very little after this.....and most of the time they misdiagnose.I was unable to perform autopsy due to my own stupidity for taking him back to the same vet and they sabotaged me by putting my baby in the freezer to prevent blood and tissue samples from being done. Just pure and simple evil!
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Bump
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How did Clyde do, I was going to mention some ways to help, but I saw the date on your post. I hope he recovered. Praying.
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
You spelled it right, honey!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Thanks Jade, I appreciate, I wasn't sure.  I know that coveres quite a few of the antibiotics.  One is levaquin.  That is the one I had problems with.  I hope your weekend is better.
317787 tn?1473358451
Thank you for sharing this.  What an awful experience.  There are some quinolone (sp?) antibiotics that can cause tendon rupture in humans.
I am very sorry for your loss
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Bump...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My dog became very ill from Convenia. He was so close to death. I hope this drug is taken off the market. He couldn't even stand up open his eyes. He acted so drugged. I never saw a dog so ill.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I hope your kitty isn't one that has problems with this drug, read through these posts to see if there is any antidote just incase...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

It seems to me that many of these cats were mis-diagnosed to start with. If they already have a serious illness such as liver disease or leukemia nothing is going to cure them.  In fact when liver involvement is present almost any drug will have a negative reaction.
I'm so sorry some of you had a bad experience and some lost their pets but I don't think this one drug is responsible. It may have made an already bad situation worse but I believe in many of these cases they would have lost their pet regardless.  They were terminally ill.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I am so very sorry to read this....I do hope she continues to improve and please do NOT give her any further doses...

I agree a latent herpes virus can be brought on by stress...I will copy and paste a posting I did earlier...the very best you can do for her is to support her immune system with the amino acid L-lysine. good luck to your sweet girl,keep us posted ok

feline herpes virus...nothing to be concerned about, quite common with cats born from infected mothers or cats from shelters...
My older boy is a carrier and the new kitten I recently took in also is a 'suspect'
its common to see the runny eyes...and if it gets worse it can turn into a full blown upper respiratory infection that (at that point) would need antibiotics...but for now all you need to do is support her immune system than she should be able to fight this off herself.
If you have a good Vet they WILL suggest L-lysine an amino acid...this works very well to build their immune systems and much better for the kitty than to slap them with an antibiotic off the bat....(unless there is an active respiratory infection) but doesn't sound like it if she's not sneezing or having problems breathing
The Vet clinic should have this L-lysine on hand there. the ones sold thru Vet clinics do work  but they are full of fillers and because they are sold as 'pet'' products it drives the price way up.
you can order PURE lysine from a human supplement site...this one is very safe for cats, I use it for mine and its WAY cheaper.
comes in powder form, theres a scoop inside....measure just a bit less than one half scoop that will equal approx 500mgs. mix that in her food or mix with a small amount of water and give with a dropper for 1 week after a week cut it down to just a bit less than quarter of a scoop...equal to approx 250mg and give that for a week or until all symptoms stop...can give that long term if her system needs it
I order this really good one, thats safe for cats from iherb in california, the shipping costs are only abt $4. and the Lysine is only $6.44

http://www.iherb.com/search?sug=l-lysine%20powder&kw=lysine%20powder&rank=1&bid=CAR#bid=CAR&p=1
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello,

Rachelle just turned 18. Her appetite was poor and she had been losing weight, and we took her to the vet 9/3/15. The blood work came back with elevated BUN and creatinine levels, also indicated pancreatitis. She was prescribed metranidazol to treat the pancreatitis, oral application twice daily. Also she had some oral pain medication for home administration.

The evening after coming back from the vet, she used the litter box and some of the poop got stuck in her fur. Like a good uncle I washed her bottom.

The vet had prescribed Convenia for home administration. I gave the shot September 4 in the morning. Later that day Rachelle started sneezing continually, and her eyes started to run. Concerned that she may have caught a cold due to my bathing her, I took her back to the vet Saturday 9/5. The diagnosis was feline herpes virus brought on by stress.

Today is October 4. Her condition has continued to deteriorate. She can barely walk, and jump onto a low footstool. She does continue to drink and eat some, her gait is wobbly. As I look at my little friend of 18 years right now, I can feel the tears well up ...

Not sure whether this is a result of Convenia (oh, went back to vet by myself to spares her the stress, and was given another dose of Convenia Friday). After reading this I cannot give it to her, although the cold symptoms persist. There i's a small ray of hope in that the eye infection appears to be improving.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It had to be a very small dose because he only charged $5, and the last time he charged $20.  Thanks for letting me know about how many teeth they have, I doubt Leo's 8 are doing him much good if he should have 30.
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
Thanks for coming back to let us know about the Penicillin injection.  Guessing it was short-acting?  Maybe lasting a day or two?

I just looked up info about cat's teeth and saw that adult cats have 30.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-teeth
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I went back to the vet today, the shot Leo received was Penicillin.  The receptionist said he has 8 teeth left, I forgot to ask her how many teeth a cat has.  Anybody know?
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
It's so hard to love them equally!!  It's always that one that yanks our heart strings.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't need an excuse to spoil him, he is the best cat I've ever had, although I can't  let the others know that.  
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
Oh geeeeze, why didn't I think "pen" meaning penicillin.  That makes too much sense!!  LOL

PS-Did the tooth fairy visit your baby?  That would give you more of an excuse to spoil him.  =)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That would make sense on what the PEN stand for. I'm going to find out when I go down there next week for pills for another cat.  I also want to find out how many teeth he has left, my guess is only about 5, but he's doing very well.  Thanks for the help, I'll let you know what I find out.
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hey Linda...I'm almost positive your kitty was given an injection of PENICILLIN.  It is administered via Capsules, Oral Liquid or INJECTION.   Still call your vet to be on the safe side, but I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about. :)  

I hope kitty is doing well!  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maybe I'll call and ask.  The vet told me to start the ClindaCure the next day because Leo had already had an antibiotic for that day, so I'm assuming it isn't a long acting one like Convenia.  Leo  had such a bad life in his early years, so I baby him big time and I'm sure my vet thinks I'm nuts, but that's okay.
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
I would be a stark, raving lunatic if they disregarded my wishes, too.  

I feel better about it now that it looks like 2 different antibiotics.  I am curious about that antibiotic injection pen.  What is it?  I thought the only one that existed was the Convenia.  If you find out, can you let us know?  I bet it's not long-acting like Convenia is.
Helpful - 0
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