She wasn't given one if you mean Angie. I did have bloodwork before and after convenia was given to Angie. No anemia pre convenia and then life threatening anemia about 2-3 days after, maybe before, that was when the bw was done I think.
Zoetis lists acquisition costs vs what they recommend charging… it does look like for cats and lower weight dogs etc. they are marking up 200% or more over what they pay so they are making a big profit. Plus as you said it’s expensive and it goes bad quickly, hence the motivation for why it was pushed on me when it first came out. And for giving it to Fred when he had no bacterial infection and even worse without my permission. They charged $80 for it that time I think.
Imo it is not reasonable at all. Yes I realize there are other things they need to pay for, it still does not justify 200 and more percent mark ups when we know we can get the meds much cheaper elsewhere. In NY they used to be able not to give you an rx to get it elsewhere, now though they are required to if asked.
Sadly, this is not obscure information about Convenia and is mentioned on many of the reliable veterinary websites. In #2 and #17 of this thread, I listed the contact information for Zoetis if you would like to file a report with them. It can also be reported to the FDA. I know that this does not bring Banxie back to you or your children and I am very sorry for his loss in such a traumatic way.
Veterinarians are regulated by state and federal boards. They have to comply like human doctors.
Metronidazole?
I am so sorry for your loss.I am so sad and angry reading about all of these terrible deaths from Convenia! I am spiraling in grief for not researching this scary drug before it was given to a member of our family, our beloved Banxie. On 12/2, my daughter noticed that Banxie’s eye looked swollen, so we brought him to the emergency vet. They told us he had a dental abscess, and that we’d need to schedule surgery to have the infected tooth removed. In the meantime, they said, they’d help him feel better by giving him “a convenient, injectable antibiotic and pain relief”. This seemed reasonable to me at the time, and I didn’t think to question an antibiotic. Here is Banxie that day on the way to the vet. You can see his right eye is puffy:
Banxie, who weighed 4.21 kg, was given the following:
Convenia Injection 80 mg/ml
Onsior 20mg/ml Ini
BNP with Dex Ophthalmic Ointme
A few hours after getting the shots, Banxie stopped eating and started drinking an excessive amount of water. His back legs started giving out underneath him when he tried to stand up, and he could only move a short distance before sitting back down. I had to move his water and litter right next to him.
By 12/4, his eye swelled even more, and he became increasingly ataxic and anorexic. I could barely get him to eat Lickables treats, and was worried he was getting worse. Here is how his eye looked then:
I brought him back to the Emergency vet, and they told me that his symptoms were a result of a systemic infection from his tooth, and that he would be fine until his surgery the next day.
Banxie continued to decline that night, and I stayed up with him counting his breaths and praying. In the morning, we rushed to the surgery center, where they immediately brought him back to triage and confirmed my worst fears. Banxie was in kidney failure and the incredibly kind vet told me that with IV fluids and hospitalization, we might have a 20% chance of pulling him through. We were getting him ready for the IV, and I was so relieved to finally be with a vet who seemed to understand and actually care, and then Banxie died in arms before he could even get it he IV:
The vet said that he did not believe Banxie even had a tooth abscess to begin with, and that he likely didn’t need antibiotics. Apparently, they aren’t supposed to give Convenia without doing a culture first.
Now that I actually look at the drug safety sheet, I see that it clearly says that Convenia and anti-inflammatories can create adverse effects when used together. I also see that the correct does for Banxie’s weight should have been much lower.
See safety sheet here.
Banxie joined our family on my daughter’s third birthday, and he was there for us through her father’s hospitalizations, through every holiday, every skinned knee- Banxie was there. I am beyond devastated and hope that someone else can learn from my ignorance. I let down our best boy and my daughter’s childhood best friend. This pain is literally heart breaking— and all of this days before my daughter’s 13th birthday. I feel like the emergency vet killed my cat and I let him. I owed our boy so much better.
What could the eye swelling have been if not a tooth abscess? He didn’t have the hind-leg weakness, ataxia, or anorexia until he got the shots. I feel haunted and sick to my stomach.
Sending love and light to all who are missing their furry loves tonight.
Thank you so much
fionasmom
I will definitely reach out to them. I can’t believe how uninformed I was. I’m telling everyone I can about this. Thankful for this forum and people who understand- was starting to feel like I was going crazy. Thank you for writing to me.
they don’t have any regulations on cost, ins etc. , that is what I meant. And as far as being regulated, it is often a joke. I have tried on at least one occasion and know of other people who have tried to hold them accountable in some small way for things they did wrong, and nothing ever comes of it because the regulation boards in my state are all in bed with all of these other organizations, and the Dvm organizations. It’s the same situation with human hospitals too.
Please don't beat yourself up. (Believe you me I know that's easier said than done.) but you were doing what you thought was best and listening to those who are supposed to know more.
Bingo!
I am so sorry this happened, my heart breaks for you! I am grateful you shared this to save other cats! Thank you times 10000!
Thank you so muchI am so sorry for your loss of your precious meezer. I know how you feel. Run free sweet boy and watch over your mom
Curiously, what sort of infection did your cat have and what antibiotic did they end up giving you?
They weren't sure, but she had signs of an infection, mainly a low grade fever. I took her to the vet initially because she had stopped eating and nursing her kittens, her ears were feeling hot and she was panting. At the vet they did xrays and bloodwork, and the only odd thing was she seemed like she hadn't pooped in a few days. I opted for the Clavamox, 1ml twice a day for 14 days. Her fever got better quite quickly, she stopped panting, pooped more regularly and fully regained her appetite in a couple days. I wrote about it here: Pregnant Cat with Ear Mites / panting when nursing etc
