BRAVECTO HOW TO GET THE BEST RESULTS FOR YOUR DOG

Transcription

1 BRAVECTO HOW TO GET THE BEST RESULTS FOR YOUR DOG

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3 BRAVECTO Your vet has prescribed BRAVECTO as a tick and flea treatment for your dog. This leaflet will answer some of the questions that you may have about BRAVECTO and explain how to get the best results for your dog. If you still have some unanswered questions after reading it, your veterinary practice will be very happy to help. THE RISE IN RISKS FROM TICKS AND FLEAS The Big Tick Project In 2015, vets and pet owners across the UK took part in The Big Tick Project, conducted by MSD Animal Health UK and the University of Bristol, which aimed to better understand the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases that affect dogs. This survey was triggered by concerns that tick numbers have been increasing over recent years in the UK 1. Each participating practice was asked to examine five dogs selected at random each week in spring and summer for ticks. Any ticks found were then sent to the University of Bristol for analysis.

4 THE RESULTS Ticks are widespread across the UK and numbers are increasing 1. Ticks are not only confined to rural areas but present in urban areas. 76% of dogs that had travelled outside the UK returned with ticks 2 ticks are travelling. Many factors may have contributed to the increase in tick numbers across the UK. Changing weather patterns mean prolonged periods where conditions are favourable for tick survival, particularly wetter summers and warmer winters. The ways tick-infested habitats are used by people and animals for leisure activities also increase the risk of exposure. Visit bigtickproject.co.uk to find out more about the study, threat hotspots in the UK and how you can support efforts to tighten pet travel rules in the UK.

5 Of all the dogs involved in The Big Tick Project, 56 were known to have travelled outside the UK in the two weeks prior to their inclusion in the study and 43 of these were found to be carrying ticks, predominantly I. ricinus. Although this species can be found in the UK, there is potential for pets exposed to ticks abroad to be carrying pathogens which are not native to our shores, leading to outbreaks of diseases not usually seen in the UK. A further 13 ticks, known as R. sanguineus, were also found. This species has now been shown to have survived over winter in UK households in at least two locations 3. R. sanguineus is of particular concern because it can live indoors, hidden away in nooks and crannies, and can complete its life cycle in only three months, with all lifecycle stages spent feeding on a single host. This makes it hard to find and remove them from the environment.

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7 HOW CAN TICKS AND FLEAS AFFECT YOU AND YOUR PET? Ticks and fleas are a threat to the health of your dog and your family. Fleas and ticks have been shown to spread a number of diseases, some of which can be a serious health risk. Ticks are blood-sucking external parasites that your dog can pick up in the countryside, but also in your garden or local park. Tick saliva contains an anaesthetic, so your dog will not feel the bite and neither will you! Fleas are the most commonly encountered external parasites of pets. If your dog has a few fleas, it is likely that there are many more eggs, larvae and pupae around your house in your carpets and bedding, under furniture and between floorboards. Successful tick and flea control not only removes the nuisance of these parasites, but is essential to help reduce the risk of transmission of these diseases.

8 WHY HAS MY VET PRESCRIBED BRAVECTO? BRAVECTO is unique it is the only chewable parasiticide treatment for dogs, currently available, that provides 12 weeks flea and tick * protection. BRAVECTO has very potent activity against ticks and fleas, which are exposed to it when they feed on the blood of a treated animal. BRAVECTO quickly kills fleas and ticks and keeps working for 12 weeks * after one chew. The rapid onset of the effect of BRAVECTO means that there is less risk of disease transmission if your dog has picked up a tick. Your vet will have prescribed a specific dose according to the weight of your dog. This dose of BRAVECTO has a 12-week * duration of action, rather than the typical 4 weeks, giving your dog extended protection and reducing the opportunity for missed doses that might occur with tick and flea treatments that need more frequent dosing. * In dogs, Bravecto provides 12 weeks immediate and persistent tick-killing activity against Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and D. variabilis and 8 weeks immediate and persistent killing activity against Rhipicephalus sanguineus. All risk of tick-borne disease transmission cannot be excluded.

9 HOW DO I GIVE BRAVECTO TO MY DOG? BRAVECTO chewable tablets can be given with food, or directly into the mouth, as directed by your veterinary surgeon. BRAVECTO should be given at or around the time of feeding. Whichever method you choose, you should check that your dog has swallowed the whole chew. DOES BRAVECTO PROTECT AGAINST WORMS? BRAVECTO has no direct effect on worm infestation. Your vet will usually prescribe a separate treatment suitable for your dog and the infection risks in your local area. WHAT IF MY DOG IS PREGNANT OR HAS A LITTER? BRAVECTO can be given to puppies if they are over 8 weeks old and weigh more than 2kg and can also be used in dogs that are pregnant, lactating or used for breeding. BRAVECTO will not affect the breeding performance of your dog or the health of their puppies. Please ensure you read the package insert for further information about the use of BRAVECTO.

10 WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A TICK ON YOU Being tick aware by knowing what ticks look like, where they can be found, and practising prevention behaviours will help you to avoid tick bites. However, if you do get bitten, removing the tick quickly and correctly can help to reduce any potential risk: Remove the tick as soon as possible. The safest way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. If using tweezers, pull upwards slowly and firmly, as mouthparts left in the skin can cause a local infection. Once removed, apply antiseptic to the bite area, or wash with soap and water and keep an eye on it for several weeks for any changes. Contact your GP if you begin to feel unwell and remember to tell them you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors. Further information can be found on the Public Health England website government/organisations/public-health-england

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12 References: 1. Scharlemann J P W, Johnson P J, Smith A A, Macdonald D W, Rando lph S E, Trends in Ixodid tick abundance and distribution in Great Britain. Med Vet Entomol; 22: Abdullah S, Helps C, Tasker S, Newbury H, Wall R, Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasites & Vectors; 9: Hansford K M, Pietzsch M E, Cull B, Medlock J M, Wall R. Overwintering of the brown dog tick in residential properties in England raising awareness. Vet Rec 2015; 177:156 Use medicines responsibly. This information is provided by MSD Animal Health, the manufacturer of BRAVECTO. BRAVECTO contains fluralaner. POM-V. Further advice should be sought from your veterinary surgeon. Further information is provided in the package leaflet. MSD Animal Health, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ. SA-G01181