Talk to your vet. This article reports what has been published and is not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, and guidance varies by country. If any of this might apply to your dog, speak to your own vet before changing anything about their food, medication or care.
If your older or stiff-jointed dog is on the arthritis injection Adequan Canine, this one is worth two minutes of your attention. On July 31, 2026, the manufacturer American Regent Animal Health announced a nationwide recall of four lots of Adequan — two of the dog product and two of the horse version — after glass fibers were found floating in the vials during routine testing of retained samples. The recall was reported by the US Food and Drug Administration, the veterinary trade outlet dvm360, and mainstream press including Fox Business.
Which country does this affect? The recalled vials were distributed across the United States — to online pharmacies, wholesalers, distributors and veterinary practices. If you are outside the US, your supply is not part of this specific recall, but it is still sensible to check your vial’s lot number and ask your vet whether they source from the same batches.
What Adequan is, and why glass in it matters
Adequan Canine (its active ingredient is polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is a prescription injection given into the muscle to slow cartilage loss and ease the stiffness of arthritis. It is used in dogs of all sizes and breeds — and fluffy seniors, from Chow Chows to Bichons, are exactly the kind of dogs who end up on it. Many owners are shown how to give the injections themselves at home, which is why this recall lands closer to the average household than most.
According to American Regent’s notice, injecting a product that contains particles such as glass fibers may cause pain at the injection site, local irritation, swelling, inflammation, infection or an abscess. Importantly, the company said that as of the announcement it had received no reports of any dog or horse being harmed. This is a precautionary recall based on what testing found in the vials, not a response to injuries.
What this means for your dog: the checklist
The single decision here is simple — stop and check the lot number before the next dose. Here is how.
- Find the box or vial. The lot number is printed on the packaging and the vial label.
- Compare against the recalled dog lots: 3369 and 25011. (The two horse lots, for completeness, are 24416 and 25265P — not relevant unless you also keep horses.)
- If your lot matches, do not use it. The FDA’s instruction to owners is to stop using the recalled lots and contact your veterinarian.
- If your lot does not match, you can carry on as normal — but it is still worth a quick word with your vet at the next visit.
The recalled dog lots were shipped in May 2024 (lot 3369) and April 2025 (lot 25011), so a vial that has been sitting in your fridge for a while is more likely to be one of them than a freshly dispensed one.
If your dog has already been injected
Because no harm had been reported at the time of the recall, there is no need to panic if your dog recently had a dose. American Regent advises owners to contact their veterinarian if their pet has shown any problems that might relate to the product — for example, ongoing pain, swelling, heat or a lump at an injection site. Your vet is the right person to judge whether anything needs checking, and can advise on getting a replacement vial from an unaffected lot so your dog’s treatment schedule is not interrupted.
Don’t quietly stop treatment
One trap to avoid: using this recall as a reason to simply stop your dog’s arthritis care. Adequan is typically given on a set schedule, and skipping doses can let stiffness creep back. If a matching lot takes your usual vial out of action, the goal is to replace it, not abandon the plan. This is also a good moment to remember that joint comfort is about more than one injection — keeping your dog at a healthy weight, gentle regular movement, and a diet suited to their needs all matter. Our guide to easing arthritis pain at home — written around poodles, though the practical steps apply to any breed — covers the weight-and-movement side, and senior fluffy dog care is a useful companion piece if your dog is heading into their older years.
The wider takeaway is a boring but useful habit: whenever you pick up any injectable or medicated product for your dog, note the lot number. It turns a recall like this from a scramble into a ten-second check.
References
- American Regent, Inc. Animal Health Issues Nationwide Recall of Two Lots of Adequan Canine and Two Lots of Adequan i.m. Due to Visible Glass Fiber Material in the Product — U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-07-31
- Adequan injections for dogs and horses recalled nationwide after glass fibers detected — dvm360, 2026-08-06
- Nationwide recall issued for dog and horse medication over fiberglass — Fox Business, 2026-08-05
- American Regent, Inc. Animal Health Issues Nationwide Recall of two lots of Adequan Canine and two lots of Adequan i.m. due to visible glass fiber material in the product — PR Newswire, 2026-07-31
- American Regent recalls four lots of Adequan over glass fibre contamination concerns — Stonehaven Cozmix Group, 2026-08-06
