US FDA approves Pfizer injectable pet antibiotic

Tag : and injectable

NEW YORK, June 30 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) said on Monday that U.S. health regulators approved itslong-acting pet antibiotic, Convenia, to treat most common skininfections in dogs and cats.
The antibiotic, known generically as cefovecin sodium, can provideup to 14 days of treatment in a single injection.
"By relieving pet owners of the often impractical responsibility ofgiving pills to their pets several times a day ... Convenia ensuresthe antibiotic course of treatment is completed on time," Pfizersaid in a release.
The drug is only available through a veterinarian.
Skin diseases are common among cats and dogs. Although rarelyfatal, most of these infections are chronic and require regulartreatment.
This is the third Pfizer animal drug approved by the U.S. Food andDrug Administration since early 2007. The FDA approved Cerenia, amotion sickness pill for dogs, last February and Slentrol, a canineobesity medication, in June. (Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman;Editing by Steve Orlofsky)