Efficacy and safety of cefovecin for the treatment of urinary tract infections in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia); Pfizer Animal Health) in the treatment of urinary tract infections in cats.


METHODS
A multi-centre, masked, randomised study was conducted in cats presenting with clinical signs indicative of urinary tract infections. Cephalexin (Rilexine); Virbac) administered orally twice daily at 15 mg/kg bodyweight for 14 days was compared with a single subcutaneous injection of cefovecin in cats. The primary efficacy parameter assessed was bacterial elimination of the pretreatment uropathogen.


RESULTS
Four hundred and thirty-four cats were screened for urinary tract infections. One hundred and eighty-five cats were treated with either cefovecin (n=124) or cephalexin (n=61). Ninety-seven cats (22.2 per cent) had confirmed bacteriuria and 82 cats were included in efficacy analysis. Escherichia coli was eliminated in 76.7 per cent (23 of 30) of cefovecin-treated cats compared with 62.5 per cent (10 of 16) of cephalexin-treated cats. Cefovecin demonstrated statistical non-inferiority compared with cephalexin for bacterial elimination. There were no suspected adverse drug reactions attributable to treatment with cefovecin or cephalexin.


CONCLUSIONS
Cefovecin was demonstrated to be an effective and safe treatment for urinary tract infections.
Passmore
C A
CA
Pfizer Animal Health, Pfizer Ltd., Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ.
Sherington
J
J
Stegemann
M R
MR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; C516253:cefovecin