Pfizer discontinues production of veterinary periodontal disease vaccine for dogs

Madison, N.J.

— Pfizer recently announced it discontinued production of its veterinary periodontal disease vaccine for dogs.

The decision to stop producing the Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin was based on a four-year study examining long-term reduction in the progression of periodontal disease, the company told veterinarians in a statement outlining its decision.

"The study further confirmed the safety of the vaccine but did not demonstrate a long-term reduction in the progression of periodontal disease when comparing vaccinated dogs and unvaccinated dogs," Pfizer reports. "Based on this important study, Pfizer Animal Health will no longer produce the vaccine after April 6."

Company officials emphasize the vaccine remains safe, but they opted not to renew its conditional license. The bacterin was initially approval in 2006 by the United States Department of Agriculture and was recommended for use in a complete preventive veterinary dentistry program, Pfizer says.

"A combination of veterinary care and home care is necessary to help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy,"the company says in a prepared statement."The Porphyromonas-denticanis-gulae-salivosa vaccine was extensively tested for safety, and based on initial studies, was shown to have a reasonable expectation of being efficacious," the company says.