US.Merial.com : Merial News Release

Merial-Sponsored Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month is a Reminder to Have At-Risk Dogs Vaccinated

Duluth, Ga. — Lyme disease has been a concern in certain areas of the United States for many years, but updated data now shows that Lyme-positive dogs have been reported in all 50 states.¹ This news and upcoming Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month (April) serve as important reminders to have at-risk dogs vaccinated.

Massachusetts has, by far, the greatest number of reported Lyme-positive dogs with 25,496. New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Maryland, Maine and Connecticut round out the list of top 10 states.¹

"As dogs continue to travel with pet owners, Lyme-positive dogs are being reported in states that don't typically see Lyme disease," says Andrew Eschner, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian for Merial. "Lyme disease should be a concern for all dog owners even if they do not reside in the states that top this list."

•Twenty-one of the 50 states (42%) have reported 500 or more Lyme-positive dogs thus placing them in the highest prevalence bracket.
•Fifty-six counties in 16 states also fall into the bracket with 500 or more reported Lyme-positive dogs.
•Alaska has the lowest number of Lyme-positive dogs - two.

Canine Lyme disease often goes unnoticed, but clinical signs can include limping, lymph node swelling, fever, loss of appetite and painful joints. Treatment with antibiotics usually clears up signs in dogs that have become ill, but experts believe that the infection remains for life.

"Veterinarians and pet owners can help protect dogs against this potentially debilitating disease during Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month and all tick season long," explains Eschner. "Owners should brush dogs frequently and conduct thorough tick checks, while veterinarians should consider annual vaccination and other tick-control products."

RECOMBITEK® Lyme vaccine from Merial is the only vaccine that contains outer surface protein A (OspA) in a nonadjuvanted formula. And, OspA is the only antigen needed to stimulate protection against Lyme disease in North America.^2,3,4 Other preventive measures include applying a monthly topical tick control product such as any of the FRONTLINE® brand products.

¹IDEXX Laboratories Website. U.S. Canine Positive Lyme Results Map. Available at http://www.dogsandticks.com/US-map-lyme-disease-dogs/index.html. Accessed on January 24, 2008.
²Conlon JA et al. Efficacy of a non-adjuvanted, outer surface protein A, recombinant vaccine in dogs after challenged by ticks naturally infected with Borelia burgdorferi. Veterinary Therapeutics 2000; 1:96-107.
³Chang Y, et al. recombinant OspA protects dogs against infection and disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection and Immunity 1995;63(9):3543-3549.
⁴Wikle RE,et al. Canine Lyme disease: One-year duration of immunity elicited with a canine OspA monovalent Lyme vaccine. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med 2006;4:23-28.





	Lyme-Positive Dogs Reported in All 50 States¹ February 27, 2008 Merial-Sponsored Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month is a Reminder to Have At-Risk Dogs Vaccinated Duluth, Ga. — Lyme disease has been a concern in certain areas of the United States for many years, but updated data now shows that Lyme-positive dogs have been reported in all 50 states.¹ This news and upcoming Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month (April) serve as important reminders to have at-risk dogs vaccinated. Massachusetts has, by far, the greatest number of reported Lyme-positive dogs with 25,496. New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Maryland, Maine and Connecticut round out the list of top 10 states.¹ "As dogs continue to travel with pet owners, Lyme-positive dogs are being reported in states that don't typically see Lyme disease," says Andrew Eschner, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian for Merial. "Lyme disease should be a concern for all dog owners even if they do not reside in the states that top this list." Other highlights from the data include¹: •Twenty-one of the 50 states (42%) have reported 500 or more Lyme-positive dogs thus placing them in the highest prevalence bracket. •Fifty-six counties in 16 states also fall into the bracket with 500 or more reported Lyme-positive dogs. •Alaska has the lowest number of Lyme-positive dogs - two. Canine Lyme disease often goes unnoticed, but clinical signs can include limping, lymph node swelling, fever, loss of appetite and painful joints. Treatment with antibiotics usually clears up signs in dogs that have become ill, but experts believe that the infection remains for life. "Veterinarians and pet owners can help protect dogs against this potentially debilitating disease during Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month and all tick season long," explains Eschner. "Owners should brush dogs frequently and conduct thorough tick checks, while veterinarians should consider annual vaccination and other tick-control products." RECOMBITEK® Lyme vaccine from Merial is the only vaccine that contains outer surface protein A (OspA) in a nonadjuvanted formula. And, OspA is the only antigen needed to stimulate protection against Lyme disease in North America.^2,3,4 Other preventive measures include applying a monthly topical tick control product such as any of the FRONTLINE® brand products. For more information on Lyme disease and its prevention, visit www.LymePrevention.com. ### ¹IDEXX Laboratories Website. U.S. Canine Positive Lyme Results Map. Available at http://www.dogsandticks.com/US-map-lyme-disease-dogs/index.html. Accessed on January 24, 2008. ²Conlon JA et al. Efficacy of a non-adjuvanted, outer surface protein A, recombinant vaccine in dogs after challenged by ticks naturally infected with Borelia burgdorferi. Veterinary Therapeutics 2000; 1:96-107. ³Chang Y, et al. recombinant OspA protects dogs against infection and disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Infection and Immunity 1995;63(9):3543-3549. ⁴Wikle RE,et al. Canine Lyme disease: One-year duration of immunity elicited with a canine OspA monovalent Lyme vaccine. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med 2006;4:23-28. ®RECOMBITEK and FRONTLINE are registered trademarks of Merial. ©2008 Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. REC08NALYMEKITREL For further information please contact: Kelle Straw 678-638-3690 kelle.straw@merial.com Mari Randa 262-784-7200 mranda@bader-rutter.com Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs more than 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2007 sales were nearly $2.5 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see www.merial.com.