Dog dental treat recall!

VOLUNTARY PRODUCT RECALL
1st June 2009

Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd has decided to announce a voluntary recall of all batches of the following products:

• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs under 10kg; and
• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs 10-30kg; and
• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs over 30kg.

Relevant batch numbers of VeggieDent™ include C14808, C14908, C01409 and C1509.

This is purely a precautionary measure in the interests of animal welfare and the veterinary profession. The decision has been made after discussion with key opinion leaders including Dr Linda Fleeman BVSc PhD MACVSc Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney.

Virbac has recently received reports of dogs exhibiting signs suggestive of an acquired proximal renal tubulopathy including polyuria, polydipsia and glucosuria in the absence of concurrent hyperglycaemia. As part of their diet history these animals have consumed VeggieDent™ as well as various products. There has been no establishment of a causal link with the VeggieDent™ product range.

Virbac is actively investigating this issue and encourages the veterinary profession to report any cases of dogs exhibiting similar changes following consumption of VeggieDent™.

Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd is not aware of reports of similar illness occurring in other regions where VeggieDent™ has already been established including North America, Europe and Asia. VeggieDent™ products sold in Australia differ from products sold in other countries - they are irradiated as required by AQIS.