Elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) after Cefovecin (Convenia) in cats

73 reports to the FDA describe elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) in cats given Cefovecin. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

73Reports

71%Marked serious

8.2%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 15%

1–2 days

15 22%

3–7 days

10 15%

1–4 weeks

16 24%

Over a month

16 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 8.2%

Still unwell when reported

44 60%

Died

4 5.5%

Euthanised

10 14%

Not known

9 12%

Problems reported at the same time

44 60%

43 59%

31 42%

22 30%

22 30%

20 27%

19 26%

19 26%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Cefovecin a long-acting antibiotic injection.

Products with this ingredient include Convenia. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Cefovecin cause elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma) in cats?: 73 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 7 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Cefovecin in cats · Medicines most reported with elevated symmetrical dimethylarginine (sdma)