Protecting Pets
I got a press release about protecting pets from fleas and ticks. This is an important topic, so I thought I would repost the press release here if you are interested in learning more.
Potential for Lyme disease spreading at an alarming rate International researchers say spread of parasites could increase incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases
SHAWNEE, Kan. (Nov. 1, 2007) — According to the world’s top veterinary researchers, the numbers of blood-feeding parasites, such as ticks, are growing at an epidemic rate. Not only are their numbers increasing, but they are spreading rapidly across the country.
The growth rates have state health departments across the United States implementing programs to warn residents of the influx of these parasites, the threat of diseases associated with them, and preventive measures they can take for themselves and their pets.
What is causing the increase in parasites? Researchers are noting exceptionally warm weather has prolonged the activities of these harmful parasites tremendously and allowed deeper penetration into temperate zones, such as North America and Europe. As it has remained warmer longer, the life span of the parasites has increased as well. The longer the life span, the more opportunity for them to prey on humans. Unfortunately, these parasites not only are a nuisance, but they also are vectors of dangerous infections such as Lyme Borreliosis (Lyme disease).
These parasites pose dangers to pets as well. Lyme disease is just one of many CVBD, which are caused by pathogens transmitted by vectors such as ticks, fleas, sand flies, or mosquitoes. Other CVBD include: Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Leishmaniosis, Anaplasmosis, Bartonellosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), and Dirofilariosis (Heartworm Disease).
“In the past few years, we have seen a remarkable increase in CVBD across the country,” said Susan Little, DVM, professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. “Ticks thrive in humid and brushy areas. The overall rise in global climate shifts is one of the leading factors to the spread of ticks and the diseases they carry,” added Dr. Little, who attended the Second Annual Canine Vector Borne Diseases (CVBD) International Symposium held earlier this year in Italy, and is a leading researcher in the area of CVBD.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of U.S. Lyme disease cases has doubled since its first becoming nationally reported in 1991 and strikes most severely in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and north-central regions.1
Symptoms and Disease Prevention
In the early stage of Lyme disease, a person may suffer from symptoms such as exhaustion, chills and fever, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, swollen lymph glands, and a skin rash. If left untreated, long-term complications can be as serious as arthritis, nervous system problems, meningitis, Bell’s palsy, and heart rhythm irregularities.2The CDC recommends the use of repellents to protect humans from ticks. The CDC states, “Use an insect repellent on exposed skin to repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other arthropods. EPA-registered repellents include products containing DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide) and picaridin (KBR 3023). DEET concentrations of 30% to 50% are effective for several hours.” It also states: “Apply permethrin-containing (e.g., Permanone) or other insect repellents to clothing, shoes, tents, mosquito nets, and other gear for greater protection. Permethrin is not labeled for use directly on skin. Most repellent is generally removed from clothing and gear by a single washing, but permethrin-treated clothing is effective for up to 5 washings.” 3
For canines, the researchers and scholars who participated in the recent symposium announced that monthly, year-round preventative treatment against ticks and mosquitoes is necessary to ensure the health of pets.
Dr. Joe Hostetler, Veterinary Technical Services Manager at Bayer HealthCare, Animal Health Division, recommends, “Pet owners who are unsure which parasites are active in their environment should seek the advice of their veterinarian and follow the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) guideline of year-round treatment with a flea and/or tick preventative.”
For more information on Lyme disease and how you can protect your pet from ticks that carry the organisms that transmit disease, please visit Pet Parents or The Lyme Disease Association.
About the Second Annual CVBD Symposium
The Second Annual CVBD Symposium, sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, took place on April 26-27, 2007, in Sicily, Italy. The symposium brought together 33 experts from around the globe to discuss the topic of vector-borne diseases. These experts — from the human medical field and veterinary medicine — were parasitologists, clinicians, and specialists on infectious diseases. They discussed current information, studies they are presently conducting, and their future research plans. The symposium participants attended workshops with the common goal of creating a better understanding of these diseases. U.S. attendees included Dwight D. Bowman, Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Dr. Susan Little, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University; Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University; and
Dr. Ricardo Maggi, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University.About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer HealthCare’s Animal Health Division is the maker of Advantage® flea control for cats and dogs and K9 Advantix®, a flea, tick, and mosquito control product for dogs only. The division is a worldwide leader in parasite control and prescription pharmaceuticals for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and poultry. North American operations for the Animal Health Division are headquartered in Shawnee, Kan. Bayer Animal Health is a division of Bayer HealthCare LLC, one of the world’s leading healthcare companies.About Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer HealthCare generated sales amounting to some 9.4 billion euros and employed 33,800 people worldwide in 2005.The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The new Pharmaceuticals division was established on January 1, 2006, and comprises the former Biological Products and Pharmaceutical divisions. Pharmaceuticals now have three business units: Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, and Primary Care. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development, or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
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