Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall, FDA Links Contaminated Wound Product to Nearly 100 Horse Infections and at Least 20 Deaths

If you have Neogen Vet HYCOAT Hyaluronate Sodium Sterile Solution, stop using it and quarantine it. On September 29, 2026, the FDA said the product, which is labeled sterile, was contaminated with multiple fungi and was linked to serious joint infections in nearly 100 horses. At least 20 horses were humanely euthanized after treatment failed.

The product has been under recall for months. Neogen Corporation announced a voluntary nationwide recall on January 28, 2026, covering all lots within expiry. The FDA’s September update adds laboratory findings, an inspection of the manufacturing facility and warning letters to Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed, Inc.

No lawsuit, class action or settlement is tied to this recall in the FDA materials reviewed. This is a recall and regulatory matter.

Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Product	Neogen Vet HYCOAT Hyaluronate Sodium Sterile Solution
Labeled for	Dogs, cats and horses; topical wound management
Recall type	Voluntary nationwide recall, to the veterinarian level
Recall announced	January 28, 2026 (FDA posted January 29, 2026)
Scope	All lots within expiry
Recalled packages	2 mL/20 mg (UPC 726087089386) and 10 mL/50 mg (UPC 726087089393)
Listed lot numbers	24 for the 2 mL vial; 4 for the 10 mL vial
Hazard	Microbial (fungal) contamination in a product labeled sterile
FDA lab finding	Five fungal species found in testing, including Purpureocillium lilacinum
Horses with serious infections	Nearly 100 reported to FDA
Horses humanely euthanized	At least 20
FDA warning letters	Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed, Inc. (dated September 23, 2026)
What to do	Stop using and quarantine recalled HYCOAT
Returns	Contact Neogen at 859-254-1221 or [email protected], or your distributor
Lawsuit or class action	None identified

The FDA notes that its numbers include only cases reported to the agency with enough information to confirm each as a unique case. It has not been told the final outcome for many of the injured horses, so the counts are not a final tally.

What Is the Neogen Vet HYCOAT Contamination Problem?

HYCOAT is labeled as a sterile topical wound-management solution for surgical wounds, burns, ulcers and similar conditions. It comes in a glass vial with a septum top, the same style of packaging commonly used for sterile injectable drugs. According to the FDA, veterinarians began reporting in late 2025 that they had used the product as an injection.

The FDA’s testing found contamination with five fungi:

• Purpureocillium lilacinum
• Paraisaria heteropoda
• Gongronella lacrispora
• Purpureocillium sodanum
• Isaria takamizusanensis

The FDA says injecting a fungus-contaminated solution poses a significant risk, and that fungi introduced into a joint can cause infection, tissue destruction and systemic illness. It singled out Purpureocillium lilacinum as particularly resistant to antifungal drugs, which makes infections from it especially hard to treat. The agency also warns that a contaminated product labeled sterile is risky even when used on a wound as labeled, because microorganisms can enter the bloodstream and cause infection, cellulitis, tissue necrosis and sepsis.

The FDA called the incident the largest number of horse deaths ever associated with a quality defect in an FDA-regulated veterinary medical product, and the most deaths of any animal species tied to microbiological contamination of an FDA-regulated product labeled sterile.

Which Neogen Vet HYCOAT Lots Are Recalled?

Neogen’s recall covers all lots within expiry. These are the lot numbers listed in the recall notice.

2 mL/20 mg vials (UPC 726087089386): 0236735, 0236736, 0336746, 0336747, 0536760, 0536761, 0636768, 0636769, 0836792, 0836785, 0836788, 0836789, 0936794, 0936795, 1036801, 1036802, 1036803, 1036804, 1136807, 1136808, 0246837, 0246838, 4L001B and 4L002.

10 mL/50 mg vials (UPC 726087089393): 0136731, 0736777, 0346843 and 5A001.

The January notice says the microbial contamination was found in certain lots of the 10 mL product, and that the 2 mL vials were recalled as a precaution while the investigation continued. The recall notice does not give a total count of vials recalled, so no unit number is stated here. In its September letter, the FDA said testing confirmed contamination in 10 mL lot 5A001.

How to Check Whether Your Neogen Vet HYCOAT Is Recalled

Look at the vial and packaging for:

1. Product name: Neogen Vet HYCOAT Hyaluronate Sodium Sterile Solution.
2. Size: 2 mL/20 mg or 10 mL/50 mg.
3. Lot number: compare it with the lists above.
4. UPC: 726087089386 (2 mL) or 726087089393 (10 mL).

Because the recall covers all lots within expiry, anything that matches the product should be set aside, not used.

What Should Veterinarians and Horse Owners Do With Recalled Neogen Vet HYCOAT?

Neogen’s notice says anyone holding recalled HYCOAT should discontinue use and quarantine it. The recall was made to the veterinarian level, so horse owners should ask their veterinarian or barn manager whether any HYCOAT was used on their animals.

To arrange returns, contact Neogen Animal Safety Customer Support at 859-254-1221 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT) or [email protected], or go through your distributor. The recall notice does not set a refund amount or a universal refund process, so don’t count on a specific figure. Contact Neogen or the distributor before you throw the product away.

If a horse that received HYCOAT has symptoms or complications, treatment decisions belong with that animal’s veterinarian. This article doesn’t give veterinary treatment advice.

How to Report a HYCOAT Problem to the FDA

Veterinarians who saw a problem that may be related to the product can report it to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine using Form FDA 1932a, “Veterinary Adverse Experience, Lack of Effectiveness or Product Defect Report.” The form is available at fda.gov/reportanimalae, or you can call 1-888-FDA-VETS to request it.

The FDA stressed that veterinarians’ voluntary reports were essential to triggering its investigation. It said Neogen was marketing HYCOAT as an animal device and did not proactively report adverse events, so the agency didn’t know about the emerging problem until veterinarians contacted it directly.

Was Neogen Vet HYCOAT Used as a Joint Injection?

HYCOAT is labeled as a topical wound-management solution. Neogen’s January notice said it had received reports of adverse events in horses after intra-articular (joint) injections, which it described as inconsistent with the labeled use. At that time, Neogen said it had received no adverse-event reports when the product was used as labeled.

The FDA’s later update says the risk goes further: a contaminated product labeled sterile can be dangerous even when applied to an open wound as directed.

What Did the FDA Find About Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed?

The FDA’s investigation reviewed epidemiological and clinical evidence, tested product samples and inspected the manufacturing facility. The inspection found serious violations, including making products labeled as sterile in a facility with insanitary conditions. Neogen’s recall notice says Neogen distributes HYCOAT but that it is made by a third-party supplier.

The agency then issued warning letters, dated September 23, 2026, to Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed, Inc. A warning letter is a regulatory notice that the FDA found violations. It is not a court judgment.

Does the Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall Affect Dogs and Cats?

The product was labeled for dogs, cats and horses, and the recall covers it regardless of species. The serious infections and deaths described in the FDA’s September update involve horses.

Is There a Neogen Vet HYCOAT Lawsuit, Class Action or Settlement Claim Form?

No. The FDA materials reviewed describe a recall and warning letters, not a court case. There is no verified case number, settlement administrator, claim form or class-action deadline. That could change if someone files a lawsuit later, but this article doesn’t treat future litigation as an existing case.

If you own or care for an animal that got sick, keep records now: the vial and packaging, the lot number and UPC, purchase records and invoices, distributor details, veterinary records and notes on any treatment. For a similar explanation of what to save after a pet-product recall, see Fromm and Oma’s Pride Dog Food Recalls, What Pet Owners Need to Know.

Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall: Key Dates

Date	Event
Late 2025	FDA begins receiving veterinarian reports about HYCOAT used as an injection in horses
January 28, 2026	Neogen announces a voluntary nationwide recall of all HYCOAT lots within expiry
January 29, 2026	FDA publishes the recall announcement
September 23, 2026	Dates on the FDA warning letters to Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed, Inc.
September 29, 2026	FDA publishes its update linking HYCOAT to nearly 100 horse infections and at least 20 deaths
October 1, 2026	Article updated from the FDA update and recall notice

Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall FAQ

Is Neogen Vet HYCOAT still recalled?

Yes. Neogen announced the voluntary nationwide recall on January 28, 2026, covering all lots within expiry.

Which Neogen Vet HYCOAT lot did the FDA confirm was contaminated?

The FDA reported contamination in 10 mL lot 5A001, with five fungal species identified. Other lots are recalled because the recall covers all lots within expiry.

How many Neogen Vet HYCOAT lots are recalled?

The recall notice lists 24 lots of the 2 mL/20 mg vial and 4 lots of the 10 mL/50 mg vial, and applies to all lots within expiry.

How many horses became seriously infected after Neogen Vet HYCOAT?

The FDA says nearly 100 horses developed serious joint infections after the product was administered.

How many horses died after Neogen Vet HYCOAT?

At least 20 horses were humanely euthanized after infections failed to respond to treatment. The FDA says that figure covers only deaths reported to it.

Should veterinarians stop using Neogen Vet HYCOAT?

Yes. Neogen’s notice tells anyone with recalled HYCOAT to discontinue use and quarantine the product.

Can Neogen Vet HYCOAT be returned?

Yes. Contact Neogen Animal Safety Customer Support at 859-254-1221 or [email protected] for return shipping instructions, or work through your distributor.

Was Neogen Vet HYCOAT labeled for injection?

No. It is labeled as a topical wound-management solution. The FDA says veterinarians used it as an injection, which was not its labeled use.

Did Neogen report the horse injuries to the FDA?

According to the FDA, Neogen was marketing HYCOAT as an animal device and did not proactively report adverse events, and the agency learned of the problem when veterinarians contacted it directly.

Is there a Neogen Vet HYCOAT settlement or class action?

No settlement or class action was identified in the FDA materials reviewed. This is a recall and regulatory action.

Sources for the Neogen Vet HYCOAT Recall

1. FDA: Warning letters following fungal contamination in a veterinary product linked to serious infections in nearly 100 horses (September 29, 2026): case counts, fungal species, the inspection and Neogen’s reporting.
2. FDA: Neogen Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Neogen Vet HYCOAT Hyaluronate Sodium Sterile Solution (January 29, 2026): recalled lots, UPCs and return instructions.
3. FDA warning letter: Neogen Corporation, September 23, 2026
4. FDA warning letter: Sciarra Aeromed, Inc., September 23, 2026
5. FDA: How to Report Animal Drug and Device Side Effects and Product Problems

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal or veterinary advice. Recalls and regulatory actions can change. Check the FDA’s current notices and consult a licensed veterinarian about any animal’s health.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the FDA’s September 29, 2026 update, Neogen’s January 28, 2026 recall notice as posted by the FDA, and the FDA warning-letter listings for Neogen Corporation and Sciarra Aeromed, Inc., as of October 1, 2026. Last Updated: October 1, 2026.