A medication to prevent coccidiosis in calves and other livestock is temporarily off the market after Health Canada issued a stop sale order earlier this month.
Health Canada issued a temporary stop sale order for all Deccox products in Canada due to a regulatory compliance issue with an ingredient supplier said animal nutrition company Philbro Animal Health Corporation.
Deccox, the trade name for decoquinate products sold by Philbro, is a non-antibiotic medication for preventing coccidiosis in calves. It’s administered through feed, milk or milk replacers, according to Philbro’s site.
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There are no safety or efficacy concerns with Deccox, the company said in a fact sheet posted to the Ontario Sheep Farmers website. It said the issues are with the manufacturer of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), not Philbro and are procedural in nature. Products are not being recalled.
No other products in the company’s portfolio are affected.
Health Canada hasn’t provided a timeline for the stoppage, Philbro said.
“Philbro is working closely with the API manufacturer to obtain clarification and will communicate updates as soon as additional information becomes available,” it added.
Coccidiosis is a disease affecting calves which is caused by protozoan parasites according to an article from Ohio State University. Infection can cause symptoms ranging from depressed appetite and poor weight gain to bloody diarrhea and death.
Coccidiosis can affect calves as young as three weeks of age but is most frequently diagnosed at stressful times like weaning or entry to a backgrounding operation or feedlot, the Ohio State University article said. Calves usually develop immunity by one year of age.
