Cefovecin
Cefovecin is a long-acting injectable third-generation cephalosporin developed for dogs and cats. Its prolonged persistence permits extended antibacterial exposure after an injection. Its principal clinical role is treatment of selected skin and soft-tissue infections; urinary and periodontal indications vary with the species and the locally authorized product.
Group
Long-acting cephalosporin
Mechanism of Action
Cefovecin binds bacterial penicillin-binding proteins, inhibiting transpeptidation and normal peptidoglycan assembly. The resulting loss of cell-wall integrity causes death of susceptible, actively multiplying bacteria. High plasma protein binding and slow elimination prolong exposure in dogs and cats. Antibacterial action remains time dependent, with duration of effective exposure determined by the organism and infection site.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin, soft-tissue and selected urinary infections | 8 mg/kg | SC | Every 336 h | Therapeutic coverage varies by organism and indication; reassess before repeating. |
| Shorter-interval repeat treatment | 8 mg/kg | SC | Every 168 h | Alternative repeat interval for selected indications; do not assume all infections need this schedule. |
| Skin infection | 8 mg/kg | SC | Once | Repeat decisions depend on organism, response and the exact product label. A two-injection maximum is described in one label, while other labels permit additional 14-day doses. |
| Urinary tract infection | 8 mg/kg | SC | Once | Only for susceptible organisms and the relevant labelled or justified extralabel indication. |
| Severe gingival or periodontal infection | 8 mg/kg | SC | Once |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin, soft-tissue and selected urinary infections | 8 mg/kg | SC | Every 336 h | Therapeutic coverage varies by organism and indication; reassess before repeating. |
| Shorter-interval repeat treatment | 8 mg/kg | SC | Every 168 h | Alternative repeat interval for selected indications; do not assume all infections need this schedule. |
| Skin abscess or wound infection | 8 mg/kg | SC | Once | One injection; some product labels allow a second at 14 days if needed. |
| Urinary tract infection | 8 mg/kg | SC | Once | Only for susceptible organisms and the relevant labelled or justified extralabel indication. |
Indications
- Treatment of susceptible bacterial skin and soft-tissue infections in dogs, including superficial pyoderma, wounds and abscesses.
- Treatment of susceptible bacterial wounds and abscesses in cats, particularly infections involving Pasteurella multocida.
- Treatment of susceptible urinary tract infections in dogs and cats where included in the local product indication.
- Adjunctive treatment of severe susceptible gingival and periodontal infections in dogs alongside mechanical or surgical periodontal treatment, where locally authorized.
Contraindications
- Cephalosporin hypersensitivity; assess prior severe beta-lactam allergy.
- Avoid use in rabbits and guinea pigs.
- Safety in very young dogs/cats and severe renal dysfunction requires product-specific assessment.
Interactions
- Avoid mixing with other drugs in the same vial or syringe unless compatibility is established.
- Highly protein-bound medicines such as NSAIDs, furosemide, doxycycline and ketoconazole may compete for binding; clinical importance is uncertain.
Adverse effects
- Hypersensitivity
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Injection-site reactions with parenteral products
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convenia reconstituted injection 80 mg/mL 800 mg vial reconstituted to final 80 mg/mL. Refrigerate and protect from light; use within 56 days, do not freeze. | Injection | 80 mg / mL | SC |
Monitoring and Administration
Choose treatment using organism identity, infection site and susceptibility testing. Reassess clinical response and renal function where impaired clearance may increase exposure.
Food-animal authorization and withdrawal periods depend on the exact formulation, species, regimen and jurisdiction; do not transfer foreign approvals or residue intervals to another product.
High protein binding and long elimination in dogs and cats must not be extrapolated to other species. Drug exposure persists after injection and cannot be promptly withdrawn.
Efficacy at respiratory, bone or CNS sites is not established by the skin-infection regimen.
Minimum-age restrictions vary among product labels: one source lacks safety data below four months, while another excludes below eight weeks. Do not present these as a single worldwide authorization.
The older supplement gives a 28-day post-reconstitution period; the current 56-day product period already recorded applies only to the corresponding formulation. Follow the shorter period if that is what the actual vial states.