Conference misery::feline_v1

835.0. "Pet Vaccines Change - Rabies" by SQM::MURPHY (Is it Friday yet?) Thu Oct 15 1987 12:02

Reprinted without permission as printed in newspaper "1590 Broadcaster":

"Recently, Norden Laboratories temporarily stopped selling two rabies 
 vaccines for dogs and cats in order to revise labeling.  The 
 products, 'Rabguard-TC' and 'Endurall-K', can be administered 
 intramuscularly and should no longer be given subcutaneously (under the 
 skin).

 Subcutaneous administration of the vaccines has been approved since 
 July, 1985, for a three-year duration of immunity under guidelines set 
 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection 
 Service.  However, recent testing of the vaccines' immunity levels 
 indicates that the subcutaneous route does not offer the level of 
 protection required by government standards for a three-year period.

 The test conditions specified by USDA were muh more severe than 'real 
 world' conditions in that the recommended dosage for these vaccines 
 is two doses, whereas the animals in the USDA test received only one 
 dose of protection.  There has been no increase in reports of vaccine 
 failure during the period of subcutaneous use.  None-the-less, the 
 company has taken a conservative position and recommended 
 intramuscular vaccination of dogs and cats previously vaccinated 
 subcutaneously.  Priority for such revaccination will be set by 
 individual practitioners.  Norden Laboratories has changed the 
 labeling of 'Rabguard-TC' and 'Endurall-K' and these vaccines are 
 once again available for purchase.

 Pet owners with further questions should contact their veterinarians 
 or the Division of Animal Industry, NH Department of Agriculture, 
 (603) 271-2404."