The Adequan Recall: What Dog and Horse Owners Should Know Before Restocking

In late July 2026, American Regent Animal Health issued a nationwide recall of select lots of Adequan Canine Injection and Adequan i.m. Injection, according to a notice posted on the FDA's recalls and safety alerts page. If your dog or horse is on an Adequan joint program, it's worth a few minutes to check whether your current supply is affected — and if you end up needing to restock, that's also a good moment to make sure you're not overpaying for the replacement.

What Happened

According to the FDA notice, the recall was prompted after glass fiber material was found in retained samples during the manufacturer's routine testing. It covers a specific, limited set of lot numbers across both the canine and equine formulations — not the entire product line. American Regent has said it has not received reports of adverse events tied to the affected lots, but the company and the FDA are recommending that anyone who might have a recalled lot stop using it.

The concern with any injectable product containing particulate matter is local reaction at the injection site — irritation, swelling, or discomfort — rather than a systemic health risk. Still, if your dog or horse has had an unusual reaction after a recent Adequan injection, it's worth mentioning to your vet regardless of which lot was used.

Check Your Lot Number Before Doing Anything Else

The most useful first step is simply confirming whether the vials you have on hand are part of the recall. Lot numbers are printed on the vial and the box, and the FDA's recall notice lists the specific lots affected for both Adequan Canine and Adequan i.m. If you're not sure how to read the lot number, your vet's office or the pharmacy you purchased from can check it for you — most clinics keep records of exactly which lot was dispensed for each animal.

If You Have an Affected Lot

If your vial matches a recalled lot number, the guidance is straightforward: stop using it and don't administer any remaining doses from that vial. Most recalls of this kind include a return-or-refund process through the retailer or distributor you purchased from, so check with wherever you bought it before simply discarding an expensive vial. Your vet can also help coordinate the return if you purchased through the clinic's pharmacy.

This Isn't a Reason to Avoid Injectable Joint Treatment

It's worth being clear about scope here: this recall affects a small number of specific lots, not the product itself as a treatment option. Adequan and similar injectable therapies remain a standard, vet-recommended tool for managing joint disease in dogs and horses. A recall like this is exactly the kind of quality-control catch the reporting system is supposed to produce — it's a reason to check your specific vials, not a reason to second-guess the treatment plan your vet put together.

When You Restock, Treat It Like Any Other Refill

If your vet advises replacing an affected vial, or if this recall simply has you thinking about your next scheduled order, it's a good opportunity to compare where you buy it rather than defaulting to the same source out of habit. Injectable joint therapy is one of the pricier recurring categories in both dog and horse care, and pricing between veterinary clinics, mail-order veterinary pharmacies, and farm supply retailers can differ more than owners expect for the exact same product and dose. A recall-driven reorder is as good a trigger as any to check that gap before you buy.

While You Wait for a Replacement

If there's a short gap between returning an affected vial and getting a new one, talk to your vet about whether any interim support makes sense for your animal's specific situation — this varies enough by case that it's not something to guess at without their input. What you shouldn't do is substitute a different product or adjust dosing on your own based on something you read online, including this article.

The Bottom Line

A recall like this is more of a paperwork task than a crisis for most owners — check the lot number, follow the return process if it matches, and loop in your vet if anything seems off. But it's also a natural checkpoint to make sure you're getting the best price on a treatment you're likely to keep buying for a while. That comparison is exactly what PetSaver is built for.

Ready to compare? See our price breakdowns for dog joint supplements & pain relief and horse joint supplements & injections.