Launches first-ever tracking site for
often-fatal parvovirus outbreaks to Save 1 Million Puppies by
2030
GREENFIELD, Ind., April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Elanco Animal Health
Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) today unleashed a multi-faceted
educational campaign – declaring today as the first-ever National
Parvo Awareness Day, aimed at bringing awareness to this
devastating and often-fatal puppy disease. As part of this effort,
Elanco is releasing Parvo is Poop – an
eye-catching campaign highlighting the way the virus spreads, the
symptoms and the breakthrough solution to treat canine parvovirus
(parvo).
Parvovirus is estimated to affect more than 330,000 puppies a
year.1 As high as 91% will succumb to the disease if
left untreated.2 Yet only 44% percent of consumers are
aware of the disease and its symptoms.3
The goal of National Parvo Awareness Day (April 23) and the Parvo is Poop
campaign is to shine a public light on parvo with eyebrow-raising
creative and activations that puts the conversational topic of dog
poop front and center. Parvo, one of the most contagious and deadly
viruses for dogs and puppies, is spread mainly through contaminated
dog feces. The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity and
drying. It can sometimes survive in the environment for years and,
in some cases, isn't even removed when poop is scooped.
By sparking much-needed dialogue about parvo, Elanco hopes to
encourage the public to be vigilant, especially during parvo
season.
Today - April 23 - marks the
beginning of the parvo season, when dogs and puppies are most
susceptible. Although it strikes throughout the year, late spring
and summer are the most common seasons for parvo outbreaks and data
shows active web searches around this misunderstood virus
significantly spike.
"Parvo is exhausting, devastating and scary - it's just crappy,
in every sense of the word," says Dr. Jennifer Miller, technical veterinarian, Elanco.
"That's why I'm so proud of the work Elanco is doing to increase
education and conversation about the grave consequences of parvo.
There are simple steps we can take right now to help save
puppies."
Last year, hope emerged when the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) awarded conditional approval to Elanco's Canine Parvovirus
Monoclonal Antibody – the first and only targeted treatment for
canine parvovirus. In a treatment efficacy study, zero parvo
infected dogs died (or succumbed to the infection) when they
received the monoclonal antibody as their treatment.
Additionally, there's evidence that the treatment may help
shorten the course of the virus, so puppies feel better faster and
get home to their families sooner.
As a result, today Elanco also introduces the first-ever online
parvo tracking tool empowering pet owners and the veterinary
community with game-changing intelligence to further help keep
puppies safe. Visitors to ParvoTrack-powered by
Elanco can self-report and identify parvo outbreak areas in
real time, with a few simple steps. Dog owners and the veterinary
community can also sign up at DefeatParvo.com to receive alerts
with outbreaks in their area as well.
While vaccination is the cornerstone to disease prevention, here
are three additional steps we'll focus pet owner educational
efforts on this parvo season:
- Know the signs and symptoms of parvo and how it spreads.
Parvo is easily spread through feces or even on shoes. If your dog
is refusing to eat, is vomiting, has diarrhea or lethargy, call
your veterinarian and get them checked for parvo.
- If your dog tests positive for parvo, ask your
veterinarian about Elanco's Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody,
the first and only USDA conditionally approved targeted
treatment for parvo that helps puppies feel better faster and get
home sooner.
- Check Elanco's parvo tracking system at DefeatParvo.com
and sign up to receive parvo outbreak alerts in your area.
"Raising awareness about parvo and encouraging every
veterinarian to keep innovative Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal
Antibody in their freezer can be transformative in defeating this
deadly disease," said Bobby Modi,
Executive Vice President, U.S. Pet Health, Elanco. "It requires us
to be innovative and bold. The first-of-its-kind tracking tool is
something that we've heard loud and clear from the veterinary
industry is critical—if we can track and test for parvo, we
can treat for and defeat parvo by using Elanco's innovative Canine
Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody. By raising awareness – and a few
eyebrows – we can help achieve our goal of saving 1 million puppies
from dying from canine parvovirus by 2030."
The campaign is just the latest effort of Elanco's multi-year
Defend Puppies. Defeat Parvo. bold mission to save 1 million
puppies by 2030. Elanco also established the Parvo Defenders
Task Force earlier this year with the likes of animal health
leaders, such as MARS Veterinary Health, IDEXX, Nextdoor, PAWS
Chicago, Austin Pets Alive, Fear Free and others, to champion acts
that undercut parvo and curb this endemic.
Learn more about Elanco's educational Parvo is
Poop campaign and National Parvo Awareness Day efforts, the
first-ever parvo tracking tool, the Defend Puppies. Defeat
Parvo. mission to save 1 million puppies - or learn where
Elanco's Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is available by
visiting www.DefeatParvo.com.
ABOUT ELANCO
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global
leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering
products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals
and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians,
stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of
animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers
improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a
meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco,
we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching
Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ Sustainability Initiatives
–all to advance the health of animals, people, and the planet.
©2024 Elanco or its affiliates. Elanco and the diagonal bar logo
are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates.
PM-US-24-0151
References
1 Elanco Animal Health. Data on File.
2Venn, E.C. et al. Evaluation of an outpatient protocol
in the treatment of canine parvoviral enteritis. Journal of
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 27(1) 2017, 52-65. doi:
10.1111/vec.12561.
3 Elanco Animal Health. Market Data on File.
Investor Contact: Katy Grissom
(317) 273-9248 kathryn.grissom@elancoah.com
Media Contact: Season Solorio (765) 316-0233
season.solorio@elancoah.com
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SOURCE Elanco Animal Health