Vaccine maker recalls rabies doses
 

Story Date: 2006-Jun-10 at 04:34:56
By Stella M. Hopkins
Vaccine maker recalls rabies doses: Veterinarians to notify pet owners about shots
Categories: health / health treatment / vaccines / prescription drugs / economy, business and finance / chemicals / pharmaceutical
Jun 10, 2006 (Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News delivered by Newstex) --
A leading rabies vaccine manufacturer has voluntarily recalled about 330,000 doses sold nationwide after a vaccinated dog contracted the deadly disease.

"They don't know why ... the animal contracted rabies," said Kelly Goss, a spokeswoman for Fort Dodge Animal Health, based in Overland Park, Kan., and a division of health care giant Wyeth. (NYSE:WYE) "In the best interest of pet owners and animals, we made a decision to voluntarily recall that product."

The company mailed notices to veterinarians on May 25, and will reimburse them for revaccination, Goss said. Doctors are notifying pet owners to bring in animals for free shots.

Fort Dodge began selling the recalled batch in January 2005. Goss didn't know how many vets bought the problem lot. Fort Dodge tested batches of vaccine with serial numbers issued around that of the affected lot and found no problems, she said.

Animals at greatest risk are outdoor pets and those such as puppies and kittens, who received the recalled medication as their first and only vaccination, said Dr. Steve Marks of the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh.

"If that initial vaccination did not work, then they're ... at risk for rabies," he said.

Notified pet owners should act quickly to have their animal revaccinated, Marks said, but he cautioned against panic.

"Just call your veterinarian if you're in doubt," he said.

What This Means to Pet Owners

Fort Dodge Animal Health recalled rabies vaccine Rabvac 3 TF, serial number 873113A. Your vet should notify you if your pet was vaccinated with the problem batch. You can also check the rabies certificate that you should have received, which lists the manufacturer and serial number.


Stella Hopkins: (704) 358-5173

Newstex ID: KRTB-0038-9127863

Geez! That's bad! I hope that the problem can be easily fixed!

Wow that is crazy. I'm glad I waited the extra week to get Morgan's rabies shot. Otherwise she would have been in that time frame although I don't know if my vet would have had boughten her vaccination from that manufacuter persay.

If you are concerned about which vaccine your vet uses you can look at your dogs license (paper issue) and the manufacturer will be listed.