A vaccine used to protect dogs against a potentially fatal bacterial disease has been voluntarily recalled, following the death of a dog.
Key points:
- There has been a voluntary recall by the manufacturer of a vaccine used to protect dogs against the bacterial disease leptospirosis
- One dog has died and seven others have had "adverse reactions" within hours of receiving the Treidlia Auslepto vaccine
- The recall comes after an ongoing leptospirosis vaccine shortage, which started last year
The Treidlia Auslepto vaccine is used to protect dogs against a strain of the bacterial disease leptospirosis commonly found in northern Australia.
The recall is not mandatory, however it comes after at least eight incidents where "adverse reactions" were seen in dogs vaccinated with Treidlia Auslepto, with symptoms coming on within five to six hours of the dose being given.
These reactions included "the death of one animal" and reports of pain, vomiting and diarrhoea in seven others, according to a recall notice published on the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) website.
It said the animal that died had "experienced a suspected anaphylactic reaction soon after vaccine administration and died approximately five hours later, despite treatment".
Queensland president of the Australian Veterinary Association Ben Brightman is also one of the vets who had stock recalled.
"With these reports of these illnesses after the vaccine, they're just being cautious," he said.
"We still don't have evidence that the vaccine has caused these. But there is just that sort of time correlation with it."
He said he was glad vets and pet owners had been made aware of potential risks and said it would be worthwhile to take some time to look into the cause of the adverse reactions before administering any further vaccines.
The voluntary recall comes in the wake of an ongoing national shortage of the leptospirosis vaccine, which started late last year.
Dr Brightman said the recall is another disappointing setback.
"We've had months and months of delays with re-getting it out to market, and then we just started receiving initial stock last week," he said.
"We just want to make sure that we've got a safe, effective vaccine back available to pet owners as soon as possible."
The adverse reactions have been linked to batch number BN23-126, which was sold to clinics across Queensland and the Northern Territory, as well as the Australian Border Force, between November 6 and 8.
The recall will also extend to three other batches of the vaccine: BN23-131, BN23-132 and BN23-133.
Veterinarians have been urged to contact Treidlia Biovet to arrange the return of unopened and partially used vials.
Treidlia Biovet, which manufactures the vaccine and initiated the voluntary recall, has been contacted by the ABC for comment.