GREENFIELD, Ind. — A maker of animal medicines has launched a new campaign aimed at saving 1 million puppies from the deadly canine parvovirus. Elanco Animal Health, based in Greenfield, Indiana, plans to offer $1 million in rebate incentives to veterinarians as part of a multiyear initiative. The company also intends to educate dog owners about the dangers of the contagious virus through a comprehensive public relations campaign.
According to researchers at Elanco, only 11 out of every 25 dog owners are aware of parvovirus, and shockingly, one in five have no knowledge of the disease at all. This lack of awareness is concerning considering that canine parvovirus boasts a shockingly high mortality rate of 91%.
Symptoms of the highly contagious virus include severe diarrhea, decreased white blood cell count, fever, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Parvovirus poses a significant threat to puppies, making timely vaccination critical in preventing the disease.
Elanco’s campaign aims to join forces with industry leaders and organizations to vaccinate 1 million puppies by 2030. The goal is to reduce the number of parvovirus cases and alleviate the burden on emergency veterinary clinics throughout the country.
Historically, the parvo vaccine required multiple doses, but Elanco has developed a newer, federally approved vaccine that only requires a single intravenous dose for puppies as young as 6 weeks. Cost estimates for the vaccine range from $20 to $100, with the average falling between $30 and $40.
It is important to note that parvovirus is not transmissible to humans. Cats are also not susceptible to canine parvovirus, although they can contract feline parvovirus. Furthermore, dogs can acquire certain newer variants of feline parvovirus.
The launch of this campaign by Elanco Animal Health is a promising step toward preventing the spread of canine parvovirus and safeguarding the lives of countless puppies. By raising awareness among dog owners and offering financial incentives to veterinarians, the initiative aims to make a significant impact in fighting this deadly disease.
As the campaign progresses, it is expected that more puppies will receive the necessary vaccinations, resulting in decreased cases and ultimately saving numerous lives. With the collective efforts of Elanco, industry leaders, organizations, and responsible pet owners, the goal of a canine parvovirus-free future becomes an achievable reality.
Note: To optimize the article for search engines, please include the title of the article at the beginning of the text: ‘Medicine maker starts campaign to save pups from deadly virus.’
