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Convenia shot; Good or Bad?

9/11/2012

 
PictureSweet Pea with her "daddy".
Recently one of my beloved kitties got sick. I couldn't figure out what was wrong and after a trip to the vet and bloodwork it was inconclusive but showed it could be a virus. My vet gave her a shot to lower her temp and another (Convenia) for the virus. 
After I  relayed this information on our FB page someone commented that their vet was told to stop giving this shot but  she couldn't remember why so I did some research on google. 
This shot, as I understood it from my vets info years ago is mainly for deep tissue injuries and dental infections. Several of my cats have had this shot and we've had no problems or reactions from the ones who have received it. So needless to say I was not really that concerned about the shot until she told me this. 

The first cat we had that got this shot was for a deep tissue wound. The second had diarrhea. Others that received the shot were feral and sick and I could not medicate them so they gave them the convenia shot for various colds/URI infections. The vet told us that even though it was mainly for deep tissue wounds that we could give it a try and it might help which it did. So the scope in which we have used the shot for was for more than just deep tissue or dental  problems and it did seem to work.

One such instance was when  our Wendycat had horrible watery diarrhea and stopped eating. After the shot she didn't eat for 4 days straight and then suddenly started eating whether it was the shot or something else we don't know but she survived and I was thankful the shot helped at least I think it did. I have noticed that my vet seems more willing to give this shot for a more wide variety of ailments than at first and I believe its because it seems to have helped. There are many drugs that are used for more things than they are intended for at first and vets have found other uses for them. 

So back to my research online. I found this information that I did not know which is the down side of this shot. I think its good to know all you can about a medicine so you can make a decision as to what you would like your vet to prescribe for you cat as its usually the owners preference that determines this. 

This shot is an extended slow release antibiotic. As with any medicines it can have reactions and sometimes they can be severe depending on the animal. The problem with this shot is that it is not like other antibiotics that are usually out of the system quicker. Convenia exerts its antibacterial effects for approximately 1-2 weeks but stays in the body for over 2 months.So if your cat has a severe reaction to this there is no way to clear its body of it. Death has occurred in some cases. 


Convenia shots seem nice to those who don't want to go through the trouble of medicating once or twice a day as most antibiotics require but you must decide if it is worth the risk especially when there are safer means of medicating available. Many of my cats have had this shot and we have not had any bad reactions to this shot.  I believe, after much reading, that it is an alternative for say ferals (who you cannot give medicine to or handle)  or for what it was intended for but in the future we have decided we will use this only when we cannot use other options in light of what I have learned about the risks of this shot. We use several vets and all have told us they have not had any severe reactions to this shot.
Most people don't understand that the drug lasts in the system for up to 65 days. I know I didn't and so I thought I would pass this information along to all of you. 
 I do find it concerning some vets will just give the shot without informing you about it and so you have to tell them you do not want them to give it and keep it on file. 

Here is a very helpful link where I got most of my information. 
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=convenia
I  am including a few more links and if you google this you can find many more sites and blogs on the subject. So please be informed and use at your own risk just be informed and make the best decision you can for your pet. 


 http://www.livestrong.com/article/249522-side-effects-of-convenia/

http://consciouscat.net/2011/09/26/convenia-for-cats-sacrificing-safety-for-convenience/ 

If you would like to discuss this there is a Facebook page dedicated to this. This blog was meant to be informative and not a forum for people to belittle those who choose to use convenia. 

Stress of Animal Rescue

7/23/2011

3 Comments

 
Today was one of those days, The one where you just don't want to get out of the bed. The one day when you get up your whole house being redecorated  by cats. I feel like I'm living with a colony of racoons. Somehow you manage to pull yourself together and keep going.
There is so much that goes into animal rescue that most people don't realize. They think its all glamorous and how you are doing so much good but do they realize, I wonder, how much work it really is?
To start with you have your animals to care for. Vet visits, medicine to give, coats to maintain by brushing, constant monitoring of their health. That alone will keep you busy. But then you have food and water, cleaning of the facility which requires mopping, laundry, and litter boxes just to name a little.
We have sanctuary grounds to maintain which involve, mowing, weedeating, weed control, flea control, pruning, plus pond maintenance.
You have to maintain the equipment and repairs on the buildings.
Some of the biggest work is paperwork. Records on each cat, grants to look for and apply for, websites to maintain, blogs to write! lol Facebook networking is also on our list with maintaining a wish list, chip ins, causes.
For our rescue we also do adopt a highway, where we pick up garbage for 2 mile stretch of road , 4 times a year. We also participate in several local festivals to give out information and get donations, as well as the yearly Christmas parade. At Halloween and Christmas we do a computerized light show for the community. On top of this we also do disaster relief and emergency care.
We take time to get any training we can towards our disaster relief program. We are constantly looking for ways to improve or expand our rescue.
We answer emails, phone calls, run out on distress calls at all hours of the night to rescue cats, trap them and get them home and to vet care.
And as if that is not enough for a typical day, we also have a life to live. The garden to work and put food up, the grand baby to babysit, house to clean, family up's and downs,illness to deal with , it all takes its toll.
I write this not to complain but to let those who don't know that there is a LOT of work involved in animal rescue that you just don't see.
It's days like these that we really need to hear the Thank You's from you. I hope next time you visit or talk to another rescue that you will be sure to thank them for what they do and to know some of what they do behind the scenes.
Luckily my little Skeeter, shown below, gave me kisses and reminded me of why we do what we do. Poor little boy was tossed out like garbage at a dump. Luckily we trapped him and he is now becoming a big baby with some much needed love. This is what rescue is all about!
Please support your local rescue by either donating your time or money. Who would do this if not us?
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3 Comments

Post Title.

7/11/2011

4 Comments

 
Danno is a sick little boy still. Nothing is worse than seeing one of my babies sick. He is holding down some liquid now and a tiny bit of food which is encouraging. I will be so glad when he regains his strength and goes back to attacking me when I enter the room. That's the Danno I know and LOVE. I miss my ferocious tiger who eats my toes, pounces on my keyboard and uses my head as a launching pad. He is nanna's precious angel!
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4 Comments

First Post!

7/11/2011

1 Comment

 
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Well I have finally added this blog. I have been putting it off for awhile and now must figure out how all this works. I am excited though, to finally get this feature added to our website. I hope you will enjoy it.
Purdy is really enjoying the sanctuary grounds this summer.
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1 Comment
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    Cat Ranch Rescue is a 501c3 non profit. All donations are tax deductible.We run a no kill, cage free, lifetime cat sanctuary in Graham County, NC.

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