Weekly Vet Report: Adequan recall, vaccine updates and tularemia in animals

Glass fibers prompt nationwide Adequan recall

American Regent Animal Health has recalled 4 lots of Adequan injections after glass fibers were detected during testing of retained samples. The nationwide recall includes 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. The products were distributed to veterinary practices, pharmacies, wholesalers, distributors, and online pharmacies across the United States.

According to American Regent, injecting a product containing particulate matter such as glass fibers could cause injection-site pain, local irritation, swelling, inflammation, infection, or abscess formation. The company had not received reports of adverse events associated with the recalled lots as of its July 31 announcement.

Veterinary practices and other consignees should 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.

Some vaccine recommendations still lag in practice

During an AVMA Convention lecture, Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, and Kirsten White, DVM, professors at Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, discussed recent canine and feline vaccination recommendations that may not yet be widely incorporated into clinical practice.

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.

Fourth human tularemia case confirmed on Long Island

Suffolk County, New York, has confirmed a fourth human case of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever. The 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.