Bigstock A new canine combination vaccine has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offering protection against both Lyme disease and leptospirosis in a reduced-volume formulation. The vaccine, developed by Elanco, combines protection against two infectious diseases that continue to pose risks to dogs across the United States. The 1/2 mL vaccine is designed to provide the same coverage as a previously available 1 mL formulation while requiring only a single injection. Elanco says the lower-volume combination product may help simplify vaccination protocols and improve the wellness visit experience for pets, owners, and veterinary teams. “USDA approval of TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 is a testament to our commitment to vaccine innovation,” says Bobby Modi, executive vice president, U.S. Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation at Elanco. “By offering a low-volume, highly-purified combination vaccine, we are providing veterinarians with a powerful tool to help close critical protection gaps while encouraging a comfortable, low-stress experience.” The approval comes as veterinary experts continue to emphasize the importance of leptospirosis vaccination, which is considered a core immunization for dogs under current American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines. Lyme disease also remains a concern, with cases reportedly expanding into new geographic regions and vaccination rates in some endemic areas lagging behind recommendations. “Leptospirosis and Lyme disease remain important infectious threats for dogs in the U.S.,” says Dr. Jessica Pritchard, clinical assistant professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, in a press release by Elanco. “Leptospirosis vaccination is now considered core for dogs because the exposure risk exists nationwide, including in suburban and urban environments.Vaccination, along with risk-based lifestyle discussions between veterinarians and pet owners, plays an important role in protecting dogs from these preventable diseases.” For more information, visit the Elanco website.
