Russia veterinary vaccine crisis reported after multiple dog deaths

A crisis involving Russian-made veterinary vaccines has emerged following reports of dozens of dog deaths. Owners and veterinarians have linked the illnesses to Multikan-8, a combined vaccine designed to protect against rabies, parvovirus, and other infections.

Many of the reported cases originated in the Yaroslavl region, where approximately one hundred animals received a specific batch of the vaccine in August. Symptoms reported by owners include high fever, vomiting, and bleeding. While individual cases have also been reported in Moscow, Kaliningrad, Saratov, and Tyumen, an official death toll has not been released, and a definitive causal link between the vaccine and the illnesses has not yet been proven.

The manufacturer, Vetbiokhim, initially recalled the specific batch under suspicion. The company has since advised veterinarians to suspend the use of three additional batches of the Multikan-6 and Multikan-8 vaccines pending further testing. The situation highlights a narrowing selection of veterinary medicines available in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.