Nystagmus after Cefovecin (Convenia) in cats

The FDA has received 78 reports of nystagmus in cats after Cefovecin. That is 0.9% 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.

78Reports

53%Marked serious

5.1%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

32 58%

1–2 days

12 22%

3–7 days

4 7.3%

1–4 weeks

4 7.3%

Over a month

3 5.5%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 5.1%

Still unwell when reported

34 44%

Died

11 14%

Euthanised

8 10%

Not known

21 27%

Problems reported at the same time

Wobbliness (ataxia)

41 53%

Loss of appetite

25 32%

Death

19 24%

Head tilt - ear disorder

19 24%

19 24%

13 17%

12 15%

11 14%

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 nystagmus in cats?: 78 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 the same day 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 nystagmus