pet care compliance POINTS see pages 7, 12, 16 & 17 for details guidelines for new kitten owners healthy pet recipes how does your clinic stack up?

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1 merial rewards program publication volume 6 summer 2010 pet care compliance how does your clinic stack up? teaching air travel with your pet education common heartworm misconceptions MERIAL REWARDS PROGRAM EARN BONUS POINTS see pages 7, 12, 16 & 17 for details plus guidelines for new kitten owners healthy pet recipes

2 contents healthy pets healthy lives from the merial rewards program summer 2010 more attention should be given to the way in which important information is communicated to the pet owner. page 4 featured articles How Does Your Clinic Stack Up? Learn how you can impact compliance by your clinic s clients. Kitten Primer Guidelines to share with new kitten owners. Heartworm Disease Helping your clients understand common misconceptions. 2 client handout + Air travel with your pet 10 education + MerialEDU SM 12 feedback + Reader survey 16 share your story: pet spotlight + A new friend offers comfort 17 activities: fun & games + Crossword puzzle + Pet treat recipes

3 p r o t e c t o r news veterinary technicians and assistants resource center Our team is committed to the philosophy that every animal deserves to be cared for by individuals who are as educated and prepared as possible for their role on the animal health care team. The veterinary technicians and assistants resource center (vtarc) was designed to provide comprehensive access to the latest in educational information and career building topics to help accomplish the goal. With the support and sponsorship of MerialEDU SM, the vtarc.com team has made a commitment to expand access to the information provided at To accomplish this goal, the subscription process has been modified and a subscription to is now available FREE of charge. Once logged in, subscribers will have the opportunity to view digital copies of VTARC Companion, utilize the information and resources that the site provides with 100 categories of website links, and get connected to others working with animals. View the website today! MERIAL SPONSORS SYMPOSIA AND SONG AT AVMA This year s AVMA conference will be held in Atlanta and we hope that you will join us for these great events: on July 31, Merial will sponsor pain management and vaccines symposia. the parisitology symposia will be August 2, featuring Dr. Mike Dryden s Real Homes. Real Problems. Real Solutions. presentation. Current topics in canine heartworm disease and tick control, and a presentation on new interactive tools for understanding heartworm and flea biology will also be presented. Got Fleas? We Got Answers! will complete the symposia. Headlining the fourth annual AVMA/Merial Concert Series is Train (pictured above), the multi-platinum selling band from San Francisco. Come take a listen to the threepiece outfit behind the chart-topping singles Meet Virginia, Calling All Angels and Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) a 2002 Grammy Award winner. Train will play Saturday, July 31, at the Georgia World Congress Center. This event is included as part of the registration fee for the 147th AVMA Annual Convention. Be sure to bring your convention badge. The event supports the Paws to Save Pets SM program, so come and show your support as you enjoy the great music! Should your Protector go green? As a MERIAL Rewards Program member, you ve already told us that making your quarterly member statements green was a great idea. Not only is it more convenient for you, but it also saves paper which helps our environment and lessens strain on resources. Now, we d like to know what you think about taking the Protector to green status be sure to take a brief survey on page 12 or go online to We ll let you know what the consensus says soon! Also inside this issue of Protector is important information that will help you increase the pet health care compliance rate in your clinic, starting on page 4. Do you know a coworker or friend that would like to join the MERIAL Rewards Program? Tell them to visit us at to enroll today. And, in the meantime, share this copy of the magazine with them it s always a nice teaser! Have fun this summer! Jeannine M. Courser Editor, Protector Magazine Merial Limited EARN BONUS POINTS see pages 7, 12, 16 &17 for details MERIAL REWARDS PROGRAM summer protector 1 1

4 HAVE PET, WILL TRAVEL To share this client handout, simply make copies and distribute, or download additional copies from 2 protector summer 2010

5 client handout safe travels In the U.S., millions of pets and animals travel by air each year. 1 Yet air travel for pets, just like for many of us, can be stressful. Imagine a plane trip from your pet s point of view they are encountering new smells, people they don t know and a certain lack of freedom. To make your pet s air travel experience as smooth and comfortable as possible, we ve compiled some helpful tips on the dos and don ts of flying with your pet. DO S > acquire a Health Certificate and proof of a rabies vaccination from your veterinarian for your pet at least ten days before flying. 1, 2 Each state and country has their own requirements for pets traveling into their jurisdiction. Be sure to check the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website for U.S. requirements and with your destination country s embassy for international requirements. 2 > Use the correct carrier. For most airlines a soft-carrier that is small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you is good for carry-on pets. For pets traveling as checked baggage or cargo, hard-sided carriers should be used. Always check with your airline for specific size allowances. > Understand that your carry-on pet counts as one of your pieces of carry-on luggage. > Label your kennel with your pet s name along with your name, phone number and address. Include a telephone number and address of a person at your arrival destination in case they have to be contacted about your pet; this is especially important when shipping pets via cargo. 3 > Inquire at the airport information desk about special pet relief areas that may be available. 3 DON TS > Forget to offer your pet food and water within four hours of your check-in with the airline as the USDA requires. Make sure that your pet is not overfed to avoid an upset stomach! Upon check-in, the airline will ask that you certify the time of your pet s last offering of food and water. 3 > Take your pet out of the kennel inside the airport terminal building or during a flight unless specifically instructed by airport personnel. Keeping your pet contained will help you to stay within airport regulations and show courtesy to other passengers. 3 > Assume that all airlines permit pets. Many airlines have age, health and even breed limitations. 4, 5 Call your airline and confirm. > Expect that your pet will automatically have a spot on the plane. Airlines allow a limited number of animals on different planes and flights, so be sure to alert the airline of your pet s presence when booking your ticket. 4, 6 > Assume that assistance animals have the same requirements as other pets traveling by air. Many times service animals can travel for free and are usually not required to travel in a kennel. 4, 7 Also, a Health Certificate may not be required for service animals used by passengers with disabilities. websites Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. Pet-Friendly Airlines/Movers The Five Most Pet-Friendly Airlines of Traveling Abroad/International Travel pet_travel/pet_travel_basics.shtml Additional Rules summer 2010 protector 3

6 f e at u r e d article pet care COMPLIANC 4 protector summer 2010

7 E how does your clinic? Your clients make an appointment, bring their pets into your clinic, ask questions and leave then, what happens? If you answered Not much or I m not sure, read on summer 2010 protector 5

8 When the words pet owner compliance are used, many staff members and veterinarians judge their level of compliance by gut feeling. 1 So, how does your clinic really stack up? Let s take a look at what compliance is and how you can positively impact your clinic s percentage of compliance from your clients. compliance com pli ance (kəm-plī'əns) noun The extent to which pets receive a treatment, screening or procedure in accordance with accepted veterinary health care practices. Compliance involves both veterinarians and staff performing and/or recommending treatments, screenings and procedures and pet owner follow-through. 2 Pet owner compliance applies to all types of preventive and maintenance pet care such as: Fleas and ticks Heartworm Vaccines Nutrition Pain management Senior pet care Dental care We know that pet owners rely on their veterinarians and practice staff to provide them with the proper treatments and preventives for their pet. However, more attention should be given to the way in which this important information is communicated to the pet owner. Be sure that the following happens: Provide clear and concise explanations of the product, as well as its application and dosage frequency, to help to ensure future compliance by the pet owner. Give handouts when you can. Explain the implications of not following the veterinarian s recommendations. For example, explain to your client how failing to give their dog a heartworm preventive could place their pet s life in jeopardy. The Truth About Compliance According to a study conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 1, here are some important findings on how pet owners view receiving health care information from their veterinarians and practice staff: From the pet owners perspective, veterinarians are not motivated by money. In fact, nearly 75 percent 1 agreed or completely agreed that their veterinarian s recommendations were based on what was in the best interest of their pet. Make sure the pet owner knows how good health care prevention can positively impact their pet s life. Pet owners rated their veterinarians as highly competent; therefore, veterinarians were their primary source for pet health care information. Overall, pet owners rated the communication with their veterinarians and practice staff as good. Pet owners also agreed that their veterinarian clearly explained to them pet health care and any health problems. However, almost 60 percent 1 agreed that their veterinarian or practice did not emphasis to them how important the clinic s recommendations were to the well-being of their pets. 6 protector summer 2010

9 An Action Plan to Higher Pet Care Compliance Many veterinarians and their staff judge their level of compliance by gut feeling. 1 Although this method may provide you with an overall benchmark for your clinic, you may want to use a proven methodology to reveal how your clinic truly performs (see Pet Care Compliance Worksheet on page 14). With these simple mathematical calculations, you ll discover which areas your clinic should place more attention. So, what do other clinics do to increase their percentage of compliance? Here are a few tips to consider: 60 percent 1 of pet owners agreed or completely agreed that their veterinarian or practice did not always make it clear to them how important the health care recommendations were. Use color-coded paper clips on the client s folders to indicate to the tech staff (and veterinarian) that heartworm and flea/tick preventives should be suggested to the client. Consider using a red paper clip for heartworm preventive and a blue paper clip for flea and tick. This method provides you with a non-verbal way of communicating within your team as well as an opportunity to upsell your services to your client, give an on-the-spot recommendation and have the preventive ready when the client checks out. Remind, remind, and remind your clients how important pet health care compliance is to their pets. Do this through each touch point of the client visit: Check-in: the front desk staff checks the pet s folder to ensure that the pet is taking a preventive. If not, tell the client the risks heartworms pose to their pet. Technician: the technician can reinforce compliance by going into further detail about lifestyle and risk factors. Veterinarian: the veterinarian can also sell the preventive to the client with an added depth of expertise. They can also help their clients get the products that they need either by prescription or products merchandised in the clinic. Check-out Speak with your Merial sales representative for valuable compliance building tools. MERIAL REWARDS PROGRAM EARN BONUS POINTS 25 POINTS = $25 Tell Us How You Do It We re always eager to share your stories with other Merial Rewards Program members. So, tell us how you maintain (or grow) pet care compliance at your clinic by sending your best practices via to merialrewardsprogram@carlson.com. In exchange for your contributions, you ll be rewarded with 25 MERIAL Rewards Program points our way of telling you just how much we appreciate you! summer 2010 protector 7

10 YOU VE GOT A BRAND NEW KITTY! GUIDELINES FOR NEW OWNERS To help you advise owners how to care for their new kittens, here are some helpful tips. Share this client handout by making copies of the facing page or download it from

11 KITTEN PRIMER Congratulations on your new kitten! Here s how to keep him safe and happy. HEALTH Training SAFETY check-ups Your kitten needs good care now so he grows up to be a tough little tiger. Get him vaccinated and dewormed when he s 8, 12, and 16 weeks old. He can be neutered (and female kittens spayed) around 6 months of age. And even if he s an indoor cat, you ll still want to help protect him with flea, tick and heartworm prevention in case he gets outside or pests hitch a ride in. infection protection If other cats reside in your home, have your kitten checked for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) before meeting his new roomies. Have your kitten tested and vaccinated for FeLV to keep all of your pets, old and new, safe. Remember, if your cat even sits by a screened window where he can be exposed to another cat, he has the potential to contract FeLV. feeding Cats like to eat several small meals during the day, but be cautious about leaving food out constantly. You don t want your kitten to overeat and become obese. If you place food in a cube toy, he ll knock it around to get the kibble out, staying entertained and exercised at the same time! litterbox As a general rule, have one litterbox for every cat in your home, plus one extra box. Place the boxes somewhere that s private, but that your cats can get to easily and be sure they re cleaned often. meetings If your new kitten will be joining other pets in your home, don t rush the introductions. If you ve got a dog, set up a safety gate with enough room underneath for your kitten to escape and feel safe. Let current cats sniff the newcomer in a carrier, through a safety gate, or even underneath a closed door. Give your kitten a safe place like a spare bedroom for a few days until everyone becomes pals. scratching A natural behavior for cats, scratching helps your kitten exercise. It feels good, too! Provide an appropriate area to scratch, like a scratching post or ramp. If you catch him shredding your couch or curtains, carry him to an appropriate scratching post. He ll catch on if you do it consistently. grooming Although he ll usually take care of himself, your cat will need help with some grooming. Get him used to being handled now, while he s young. Gently touch nail clippers to his claws, a cat toothbrush to his mouth, or a brush lightly along his back. Once he s used to the experience, you can gradually work up to clipping his nails and brushing his teeth. resources kitten-proofing Kittens have tons of energy and twice as much curiosity. Go through your home carefully to get rid of any toxic plants, bits of string, or forgotten rubber bands on the floors. It s also a good idea to fix any loose window screens. entertainment Give your kitten toys to play with and make sure they don t have pieces he could swallow. Although your kitten might think a piece of string is the perfect toy, you should skip it. If he ingests the string, it can cause intestinal damage. Consider a climbing structure or even a secured fish tank to entertain him. claws With the right training and regular nail trimming, it s not usually necessary to have a cat declawed. Plus, if your kitten goes outdoors, he may need his claws to climb a tree to safety or defend himself. outdoors If your kitten will be going outside, get him microchipped first so he ll be returned in case he gets lost. If he s got a collar, be sure it s the snap-off or breakaway kind. That way, if it gets snagged on a branch, it will break away and free him. websites * (Indoor Cat Initiative from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine) * (American Association of Feline Practitioners) * (the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center) book * It s a Cat s World... You Just Live in It: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Your Furry Feline by Dr. Justine A. Lee summer 2010 protector 9

12 p r o t e c t o r educationstay informed. stay ahead. NOW ON DEMAND! registration is free at A Stronger Team Offers Better Care FREE CE Credits Available Online from MerialEDU Visit to help build a stronger team and offer exceptional care Merial and the VetMedTeam have joined forces to bring MerialEDU, a web-based source of Continuing Education, to the veterinary community. Easy to access through and free of charge, MerialEDU provides animal healthcare professionals with non-commercial information in support of their roles as the caregivers pet owners depend on for the health and well-being of their animals. MerialEDU offers ten online courses that cover a wide variety of animal health topics and are RACE-approved.* Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and clinic staff members are encouraged to take advantage of the following CE courses: Parasitology Canine Heartworm Disease Fleas from A to Z Ticks from A to Z Zoonoses Zoonotic Diseases 101 Zoonotic Diseases 102 Pain Management Managing Canine Pain Immunology Basic Concepts in Immunology Disease Prevention Through Immunization Dentistry Companion Animal Dentistry 101 Companion Animal Dentistry 102 SM EARN CE CREDIT vetmedteam.com Registration is free at By clicking on the MerialEDU FREE courses window, users can access a complete catalog, including course descriptions. VetMed Team membership also gives users access to other educational opportunities. Register today and make MerialEDU your partner in providing the answers pet owners are seeking. SM MERIALEDU is a service mark of Merial. SM MERIALEDU is a service mark of Merial Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. MER09PBEDUADV Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. MER10PBEDUADV. * The Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) is a national clearinghouse for the approval of CE providers and their programs. While RACE-approved CE is recognized by most American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) member boards, participants in this program should verify recognition with their respective state boards and should be aware that some boards have set limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories. 10 protector summer 2010

13 common misconceptions about Heartworm Disease Treating heartworm disease is just as easy as preventing it. I would notice signs of infection early enough to take action before it became serious. FACT: FACT: Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive, traumatic and risky, its outcome is unpredictable, and it: Lasts for 4 to 6 months Calls for multiple injections of an arsenic-based drug Requires that owner crate and isolate pet for 6-8 weeks Involves significant expense can cost up to $1,000 In many cases, clinical signs are not noticeable in the early stages of heartworm disease. Heartworm Life Cycle 1 a mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests tiny heartworm larvae along with the animal s blood. Other carriers of heartworm disease include wolves, foxes and coyotes. Heartworm infection is spread through contact with infected dogs or their feces. FACT: Heartworm disease is spread only by mosquitoes and all dogs are at risk. 1 2 inside the mosquito, these larvae develop into their infective stage. Preventing heartworm disease is always preferable to treating it. Recommend the ONLY heartworm disease preventive in the Real-Beef Chewable that dogs love to take 2 and owners prefer to give 3 highly effective, affordable HEARTGARD Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel). Important Safety Information: HEARTGARD is well tolerated. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Following the use of HEARTGARD, digestive and neurological side effects have rarely been reported. For more information, please visit When the same mosquito bites another dog, the larvae infect the healthy animal. Without a monthly dose of preventive, the larvae continue to develop inside the dog,eventually reaching the heart and lungs. Please see complete HEARTGARD (ivermectin) product information included on page Where is Heartworm Disease? Available at heartworm.html#where. Accessed April 8, Of dogs showing a preference in three studies conducted by independent investigators, dogs preferred HEARTGARD Chewables over INTERCEPTOR (milbemycin oxime) FLAVOR TABS by a margin of 37 to 1. Data on file at Merial. 3 Opinion Research Corporation, Heartworm Prevention Medication Study, Data on file at Merial. summer 2010 protector 11

14 MERIAL SEE PAGES 7, 12, 16 & 17 FOR DETAILS p r o t e c t o r feedback from program benefits, to going green with the protector magazine, to what you like best (or least), merial rewards wants to hear from you! to show our appreciation, the first 50 members to complete this survey will receive 10 program points! Your feedback is important. Please take a moment to share your thoughts about the MERIAL Rewards Program. This survey is also available online at or you may fill out the form to the right and mail it to: MERIAL Rewards Headquarters ATTN: Survey Response P. O. Box 1753 Minneapolis, MN POINTS = $10 EARN BONUS POINTS Please tell us what you think by rating the following program components on a scale of 1-5. (1=Very Important, 2=Important, 3=Somewhat Important, 4=No Opinion, 5=Not Important) Program Benefits Point-earning Opportunities Quarterly Program estatements Protector Magazine Content MERIAL Rewards Program Website Protector Magazine How much of the Protector magazine do you read? (Circle the corresponding letter) A. All of It Cover to Cover! B. Most C. Half D. Very Little What content do you value the most? (Check all that apply) Professional Education Updates/Calendar Practice Management Features Client Handouts Pet Spotlight Fun Activities/Recipes wanted: PROGRAMyour opinion MERIAL REWARDS Thank you for participating! REWARDS PROGRAM EARN BONUS POINTS merial rewards program publication volume 6 summer 2010 pet care compliance how does your clinic stack up? teaching air travel with your pet education common heartworm misconceptions plus guidelines for new kitten owners healthy pet recipes Please answer the following questions by circling Y (Yes) or N (No). Do you find the articles in Protector relevant to you and your professional life? Y N Do you discuss content from Protector with co-workers or other professionals? Y N Do you use the downloadable feature articles or handouts in the magazine? Y N Would you prefer to receive the magazine electronically? Y N Would you rather receive a printed magazine with additional content accessible in an online format? Y N Have you had a situation or client case that led you to refer back to previous content in your Protector magazine? Y N Does the magazine content help you deliver better care to your clients? Y N Please write your responses below. What do you like best about the MERIAL Rewards Program? What could MERIAL Rewards do to make it a better program for you? Cut along dashed line to remove this survey. 12 protector summer 2010

15 Don t settle for flea products that don t kill eggs and larvae! Complete flea and tick control for dogs and cats. Draw the line. Unchecked, a single female flea can produce up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. 1 And yet, many flea products are powerless to prevent an infestation once the flea lays eggs. With its patented combination of fipronil and the IGR (insect growth regulator) (S)-methoprene, FRONTLINE Plus is still the only product available from the veterinarian that kills flea eggs, flea larvae, adult fleas, tick larvae, tick nymphs and adult ticks on both dogs and cats. Advantage, Advantage Multi (imidacloprid/moxidectin), K9 Advantix, Comfortis (spinosad), Revolution (selamectin), Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron), Vectra and Vectra 3D all come up short not one of them provides the COMPLETE flea and tick control of FRONTLINE Plus on both dogs and cats. 1 Dryden M, Houlton D. Understanding Flea Biology and Control. Veterinary Practice Staff. Vol. 2, No. 3 May/June Recommend FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ADVANTAGE and ADVANTAGE MULTI are registered trademarks of Bayer Healthcare LLC. K9 ADVANTIX is a registered trademark of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft COMFORTIS is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. SENTINEL is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. REVOLUTION is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc. VECTRA and VECTRA 3D are registered trademarks of Summit VetPharm LLC Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. FLE09PBTRADE1R. summer 2010 protector 13

16 CHEWABLES CAUTION: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: For use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense). DOSAGE: HEARTGARD Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) Chewables should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows: Color Coding 0n Dog Chewables Ivermectin Pyrantel Foil-Backing Weight Per Month Content Content and Carton Up to mcg 57 mg Blue mcg 114 mg Green mcg 227 mg Brown HEARTGARD Plus is recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lb use the appropriate combination of these chewables. ADMINISTRATION: Remove only one chewable at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Return the card with the remaining chewables to its box to protect the product from light. Because most dogs find HEARTGARD Plus palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dog food.the chewable should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole. Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended. HEARTGARD Plus should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog s first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog s last exposure to mosquitoes. When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease prevention program, the first dose of HEARTGARD Plus must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication. If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with HEARTGARD Plus and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms. Monthly treatment with HEARTGARD Plus also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites. EFFICACY: HEARTGARD Plus Chewables, given orally using the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D.immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult stage. HEARTGARD Plus Chewables are also effective against canine ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). ACCEPTABILITY: In acceptability and field trials, HEARTGARD Plus Chewables were shown to be an acceptable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs. PRECAUTIONS: All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with HEARTGARD Plus which is not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with HEARTGARD Plus. While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in HEARTGARD Plus at the recommended dose level, HEARTGARD Plus is not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion by humans, clients should be advised to contact a physician immediately. Physicians may contact a Poison Control Center for advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans. Store at controlled room temperature of 68 F - 77 F (20 C - 25 C). Excursions between 59 F - 86 F (15 C - 30 C) are permitted. Protect product from light. ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical field trials with HEARTGARD Plus, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of HEARTGARD: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation. SAFETY: HEARTGARD Plus has been shown to be bioequivalent to HEARTGARD, with respect to the bioavailability of ivermectin. The dose regimens of HEARTGARD Plus and HEARTGARD are the same with regard to ivermectin (6 mcg/kg). Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies, support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended. HEARTGARD Plus has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Plus in a heartworm disease prevention program. In one trial, where some pups had parvovirus, there was a marginal reduction in efficacy against intestinal nematodes, possibly due to a change in intestinal transit time. HOW SUPPLIED: HEARTGARD Plus is available in three dosage strengths (see DOSAGE section) for dogs of different weights. Each strength comes in convenient cartons of 6 and 12 chewables. For customer service, please contact Merial at PET CARE COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET What s your clinic s compliance rate? Complete this quick worksheet to figure out your clinic s percentage of pet owner compliance for heartworm and flea & tick prevention. Number of unique dogs seen annually Recommended number of doses per dog per year Total number of doses sold (last 12 months) Average number of doses sold per dog (number of doses sold divided by number of unique dogs seen annually) Percent Compliance (Calculation: average number of doses sold per dog divided by recommended number of doses per dog per year) DOGS Heartworm Flea & Tick % % Going to a Conference? So Are We. Attending any of these conferences in the next few months? If so, stop by the MERIAL booth to learn what s new! June 9-12 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Anaheim, CA June Southeast Veterinary Conference Myrtle Beach, SC July Pacific Vet Conference San Francisco, CA July 31 - August 3 American Veterinary Medical Association Atlanta, GA August 29 - September 1 Central Veterinary Conference Kansas City, MO September Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society San Antonio, TX September American Association of Feline Practitioners New Orleans, LA HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks of Merial. INTERCEPTOR is a registered trademark of the Novartis Corporation. FLAVOR TABS is a registered trademark of Novartis AG Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. HGD10PBPROTECTOR. September External Skeletal Fixation Ames, IA September Southwest Veterinary Symposium Fort Worth, TX September 30 - October 3 American Veterinary Dental Forum San Antonio, TX 14 protector summer 2010

17 ACVO /MERIAL Event Gives Back to Service Dogs The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) launches the 3rd annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event to help service dogs. Lisa Davidson, of Warminster, PA has been blind for 13 years and relies completely on her guide dog, Eagle, for assistance. So, when she found out about the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event, she was elated. I think it s great these animals are being represented because they have a very special job to do, says Ms. Davidson. Eagle has opened many doors for me, to allow me to become independent. It s so important that his eyes are working. And, that s exactly the reason for the event. This month, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) launches the 3rd annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event to help dogs who dedicate their lives to serving so many. More than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists in the U.S. and Canada are providing free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of service dogs that selflessly serve the public such as guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs. Stacee Daniel, executive director of ACVO says, This event is a success each year due to the outstanding support of our volunteer ophthalmologists, our sponsors and the service dog community. At Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center, in Bedford Hills, NY, Pele, a young Labrador retriever was examined by Dr. Cory Mosunic during 2009 s event. We re looking for any retinal disease or early cataracts, says Dr. Mosunic. We re also looking for things that will limit their vision down the road, such as ingrown hairs or scratches on the cornea. It s a complete ocular exam. Pele is from Puppies Behind Bars, an organization providing psychiatric service dogs to soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Merial has been a sponsor of this event since its inception in These dogs are the eyes for so many people and it s gratifying to be able to give back to them, said Hal Little, DVM, director of Field Veterinary Services for Merial. Dogs have some of the same eye problems humans do, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal degeneration, Dr. Little said. These exams help early detection and treatment, which are the key to fast recovery. Pet owners can also help detect potential eye problems by periodically checking for redness, squinting, cloudiness of the cornea, any mucus in the eye, and change in vision (such as not seeing as well in the dark or stumbling over a step). For more information on this important event, visit Left: Henny and K-9 Handler, Captain Stephen Baer Above: Dr. Gerding examines K-9 Hawk summer 2010 protector 15

18 p r o t e c t o r share your story pet spotlight Six month old Nessie will be a therapy dog one day. Submitted by Donna Ashley Woodland Animal Clinic East Freetown, MA BORDER COLLIE PUP FINDS A GOOD HOME I was just looking around on Petfinder.com at Border Collie pups in need of a home when one pup just stole my heart with a single glance at a close-up snapshot. At the time, my very old girl Mollie, a Lab/ Shepherd/Doberman mix at the old age of 15 1/2 wasn t doing very well her quality of life was rapidly declining and she was suffering from congestive heart failure. I wasn t seriously looking for another dog, but was feeling pretty sad about the impending loss of my old pal. When I saw this little Border Collie pup with one blue eye, something just clicked into place. I felt certain that she needed a place with us and that we would need her, too. She came to us from Texas at the age of 9 weeks and it was as I thought it would be she was meant to be with us. We named her Nessie and as quickly as that, we had another good pal to spend our days with. She loved having a bath, going for walks and being with me all the time. She was gentle and respectful to Mollie, never jumped on her or bothered her when she was resting. She never tried to push Mollie aside; she had her own place and was happy there. It was more than I could have ever asked for in a dog that would soon be the only dog in our lives. When Mollie left us, it was one of the saddest days our family has ever had she had been a part of our family for almost 16 years and the pain of her absence in our lives was profound. Nessie was like our little angel, she sat in our laps and took us walking and kept our hearts lifted with her affection and silly puppy ways. Although we didn t miss Mollie any less, it made the loss a little easier to bear. My children still cried at night because they missed their old friend. While they did, they hugged their new one, who sat quietly while they dried their tears on her soft fur. Nessie is 6 months old now and will start formal obedience training soon I hope to train her as a therapy dog, to share her sweet and loving personality with others and to offer comfort to those who need it. To me, she is already a therapy dog; I have given her a loving home with us, and in return she has given us so much more. EARN BONUS POINTS MERIAL REWARDS PROGRAM 100 POINTS = $100 Spotlight Stories Earn 100 points! Do you have an interesting story about a pet or colleague in your clinic that you d like to share in the Protector magazine? To submit your story online, go to the Promotions link at merialrewardsprogram.com. If it s published in an upcoming issue, you ll receive a bonus of 100 MERIAL Rewards Program points. It s that easy! PET STORIES GUIDELINES You must be an active MERIAL Rewards Member and be employed by a MERIAL Rewards Member Clinic or a Merial employee at the time of the award Stories should be a maximum of 600 words and 4 x 6 or larger color prints should be of good quality All stories and pictures will become the property of Merial and cannot be returned Our editor will help edit and finalize your story before it is published Please include your daytime phone number in case we have questions Not all stories will be published Except where prohibited by law, selected author grants (and agrees to confirm that in writing) Merial the right to use the selected author s name, address (city, state), photograph, picture, portrait, videotape, likeness, voice and biographical information for advertising, publicity, promotional and commercial purposes and to use the statements made by or attributed to author relating to Merial and grants to Merial any and all rights to said use without limitation, further compensation or notice, without review in any and all media now known or hereafter devised including, but not limited to, the Internet and the Worldwide Web. 16 protector summer 2010

19 p r o t e c t o r activities How Good Are You at Crossword Puzzles? Across 1. Every cloud has a lining 4. and carry 8. Growing 10. Cold 11. Hand in 12. Nest 13. and ladders 15. A in time saves nine 20. of the iceberg 22. Left on the 24. Lead by 25. A of cards 26. Time time 27. Ready,,Go! Down 2. The on the cake 3. Rags to 4. A fatale 5. Food for 6. Pet 7. Thrills and 9. There s no without fire 14. Opposites 16. Armed to the 17. for courses 18. and liabilities 19. A laughing 21. A chase 23. Lost and Please visit for the puzzle solution do-it-yourself pet treats Howlin Hula Cookies Makes 20 cookies Preparation time: 10 minutes, Baking time: 20 minutes 1 (8-ounce) can unsweetened crushed pineapple ¼ cup vegetable oil ¼ cup honey 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain pineapple and set aside. In a bowl combine oil and honey. Add egg, pineapple and vanilla and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir well. To make these cookies in the shape of a bone, gently pat dough on a floured surface until ½ inch thick. Lightly coat dough with flour and cut out cookies using a bone shaped cookie cutter. Put on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Cool on a rack. Recipe submitted by Eileen Parker, Beaver Crossing Animal Hospital, Loganville, GA * Please do not serve the above recipes to your pet if they are allergic to any of the listed ingredients. Catnip Salad 1 small carrot, peeled and finely grated ½ cup chopped sprouts 2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley ½ teaspoon fresh organic catnip 2 tablespoon vegetable broth Blend finely clopped carrot, sprouts, parsley and catnip in a mediumsize bowl. Add broth and lightly toss. Serve a small portion in your cat s bowl and refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container. Use within hours. Recipe submitted by Amanda Myers, Animal Medical Clinic West, Charleston, SC MERIAL REWARDS PROGRAM EARN BONUS POINTS 25 POINTS = $25 Share Recipes, Earn Points Share your healthy pet recipe with other members and receive 25 MERIAL Rewards Program points if it s featured in the Protector. To share yours, go to merialrewardsprogram.com and click on the Promotions link at the top of the screen! summer 2010 protector 17

20 Don t settle for flea products that don t kill ticks! Draw the line. Ticks have one purpose in life to attack and feed on unsuspecting pets and people. And yet, many flea products including Advantage, Advantage Multi (imidacloprid/moxidectin), Comfortis (spinosad), Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron), and Vectra fail to provide any protection against ticks. That means these pets are vulnerable to painful infestations and the threat of anemia, Lyme disease, or worse. No part of the country is immune from the threat every region is infested with ticks of some kind. Fortunately, veterinarians don t have to sacrifice one parasite to help prevent another FRONTLINE Plus kills both fleas AND ticks. Recommend FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ADVANTAGE and ADVANTAGE MULTI are registered trademarks of Bayer Healthcare LLC. COMFORTIS is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. SENTINEL is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. VECTRA is a registered trademark of Summit VetPharm LLC Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. FLE09PBTRADE2R. MERIAL, FRONTLINE, HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks, and SM MerialEDU and Paws to Save Pets are service marks, of Merial. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. MKT10SUMPROTECT