Health Canada resumes Deccox imports

After two months of ordered stoppage by Health Canada, Importation of the coccidiosis prevention medication Deccox is being allowed again.

Phibro Animal Health Corp. informed customers late last month that “because inventory in Canada was depleted during the interruption, we are actively replenishing stock.”

In a written statement to Glacier FarmMedia, Health Canada said the stop action was ordered because the foreign manufacturer that supplies decoquinate, the active ingredient for Deccox 6% and Deccox-M, had been “found to be non-compliant with good manufacturing practices.”

The stoppage was enacted in February 2026 for all Canadian importers.

Health Canada’s reconsideration is based on additional quality and safety information shared by Phibro Animal Health and a reassessment of the product’s medical importance and the potential impact that a shortage would have on animal health.

Importers of Deccox are required to meet risk mitigation conditions such as enhanced controls and quality testing.

Return of the product comes at a good time for producers as lambs and calves are hitting the ground rapidly.

Coccidiosis are small parasites that grow in the lining of the intestines, and when there are enough of them, the parasites damage the lining, which results in diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss. In severe — and rare — cases, it can lead to death.

“It’s one of those diseases that is kind of bad for calves. Even if it doesn’t make them clearly sick, it causes damage,” said Dr. Robert Tremblay, president of the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians.

“It damages the lining of the gut, and it impacts how quickly cattle grow.”

Animals are slow to develop immunity to coccidiosis, making them susceptible to the parasite for a few months.

Coccidiosis is most common in three week to six month old calves, but it can also occur in yearlings and adults in times of stress. For lambs, the common age affected is four weeks to three months and in other times of stress.

“Animals acquire immunity to coccidiosis,” Tremplay said.

“So, in situations of stress where your immunity is is lower, where you’re more vulnerable, then the risk of clinical coccidiosis might be higher.”

Those situations can be predictable, such as weaning, moves to feedlots or transferring ownership.

Deccox is one of the most reliable sources of prevention for the parasite, and can be administered through milk, milk replacers or feed and can be given continuously. It works by stopping the multiplication of the parasite so it can’t cause a severe impact to the animal’s health.

Without prevention, producers must wait for symptoms to appear and then treat. If they suspect the parasite, they must contact their vet because it can only be confirmed with a lab test, and a prescription is needed for treatment.

But as the saying goes, prevention is the best medicine.

Prescriptions are also needed to obtain Deccox, and Tremblay encourages producers to speak to their local vet with concerns and develop herd management plans.

“I’m glad that the situation was resolved as quickly as it was because I think there was a lot of concern about what the impact would be at this time of year,” he added.