Rabies Vaccine Recall - Please forgive the crosspost

[flyndog]

TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission granted to crosspost.

June 14, 2006
~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlot...s/14786163.htm

Posted on Sat, Jun. 10, 2006
Vaccine maker recalls rabies doses
Veterinarians to notify pet owners about shots

STELLA M. HOPKINS

shopkins@charlotteobserver.com

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. "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

[PawNclaws]

I was just going to post about this lol... My mom's friend notified us and we double checked the serial number of the rabies vaccination our pups got this year... kinda had us worried there for a minute.