Nationwide Recall of Adequan Injections and Key Vaccine Recommendations for Pets

# Nationwide Recall of Adequan Injections American Regent Animal Health has issued a nationwide recall of 4 lots of Adequan injections due to the presence of glass fibers in the products. The recalled products include 2 lots of Adequan Canine Injection, 100 mg/mL, 5-mL multidose vials, and 2 lots of Adequan i.m. Injection for horses, 500 mg/5 mL, single-dose 5-mL vials. The recalled Adequan Canine lots are 3369 and 25011, while the recalled Adequan i.m. lots are 24416 and 25265P. These products were distributed to veterinary practices, pharmacies, wholesalers, distributors, and online pharmacies across the United States. Injecting a product containing particulate matter such as glass fibers can cause injection-site pain, local irritation, swelling, inflammation, infection, or abscess formation. However, American Regent has not received any reports of adverse events associated with the recalled lots as of its July 31 announcement. Veterinary practices and other consignees are advised to immediately stop using the affected products and either return or discard remaining inventory. Pet owners should contact their veterinarian if an animal experiences problems that may be associated with a recalled product. ## Key Vaccine Recommendations for Pets Recent canine and feline vaccination recommendations may not yet be widely incorporated into clinical practice. Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, and Kirsten White, DVM, professors at Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, discussed these recommendations during an AVMA Convention lecture. For cats, the recommendations include an additional FVRCP booster at approximately 6 months of age. Feline leukemia virus vaccination is also considered a core vaccine for kittens younger than 1 year. For dogs, leptospirosis is recommended as a core vaccine regardless of lifestyle. Krebs noted that some kittens may still have maternal antibodies at 16 to 20 weeks of age, potentially leaving them insufficiently protected after the traditional kitten vaccination series. ## Tularemia in Animals A fourth human case of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, has been confirmed on Long Island. This zoonotic bacterial disease affects more than 250 animal species and is most commonly associated with wild rabbits, hares, and rodents. Cats can become infected after hunting or consuming infected prey, while infection in dogs is uncommon. Clinical signs in companion animals can include fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, nasal discharge, oral ulcers, and pneumonia. Veterinarians evaluating a suspected case should consider PCR, bacterial culture, or serologic testing. Because tularemia is zoonotic, appropriate precautions should be used when handling suspected cases, and laboratories should be notified when the disease is on the differential. Pet owners and veterinarians should be aware of these important updates and take necessary precautions to ensure the health and well-being of their pets.