[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: declarations of adverse reactions in the year 2008]

With 106 reports of suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) there was a slight decrease in the year 2008 compared to 2007. However, the distribution according to species and drug classes remained grossly the same: dogs were involved in 45 % of the cases followed in frequency by cats (26 %) and cows or calves (21 %). Most often the reports described reactions following the use of either an antiparasitic drug (46 %) or an antibiotic (22 %). One particular case of off-label use and serious skin reactions are presented. For the vaccinovigilance a total of 310 reports were received, with 250 of them related to adverse events following vaccination against blue tongue disease. In most cases, aborts and elevated cell count in the milk were reported. A detailed evaluation of these cases is presented. Finally, 305 enquiries were received by the Swiss Toxicological Information Center in Zürich (concerning mostly dogs or cats). Most of the cases concerned either preparations for the nervous system or anti-inflammatory drugs (human medicinal products) or antiparasitics (VMPs).