Efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia™) for the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia(TM); Pfizer Animal Health) in the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs. METHODS: A multi-centre, blinded, randomised study was conducted in 129 dogs with urinary tract infections. Cephalexin (Rilexine(TM)) administered twice daily at 15 mg/kg bodyweight orally for 14 days was compared with a single, subcutaneous injection of cefovecin (ConveniaTM) in dogs. The primary efficacy parameter assessed was bacterial elimination of the pretreatment uropathogen. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine dogs were included in efficacy assessments. Escherichia coli was eliminated in 90(.)5 per cent of cefovecin-treated dogs compared with 52(.)9 per cent of cephalexin-treated dogs (P=0(.)0004). Overall cure rates for dogs with Escherichia coH infections were 79(.)1 per cent for cefovecin and 36(.)4 per cent for cephalexin-treated dogs (P=0(.)0003). There were no suspected adverse drug reactions attributed to treatment with cefovecin or cephalexin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cefovecin was shown to be an effective and safe treatment for urinary tract infections.