Medicine maker starts campaign to save pups from deadly virus
GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — A maker of medicines for animals on Wednesday began a campaign to save 1 million puppies from a contagious, deadly virus.
Greenfield-based Elanco Animal Health says the multiyear campaign will include $1 million in rebate incentives to veterinarians and a public relations campaign to educate dog owners about the dangers of canine parvovirus. Elanco in August reported expected 2023 revenues of over $4.3 billion.
Researchers for Elanco found about 11 of every 25 dog owners know about parvovirus. One in 5 dog owners have no knowledge of the disease with a 91% mortality rate if left untreated.
Symptoms of canine parvovirus include severe diarrhea, a lack of white blood cells, fever, a lack of appetite, and vomiting.
The campaign will bring together industry leaders and organizations to encourage pet owners and veterinarians to help save 1 million puppies by 2030. One goal of the effort is to free up emergency veterinary clinics that see many cases of parvovirus, a member of the campaign says.
An Elanco spokesperson said, “Traditional canine ‘parvo’ treatments once required timely and extensive care with no guaranteed outcomes. A newer, USDA-conditionally approved treatment from Elanco requires just one intravenous dose for pups as young as 6 weeks, helping shorten the course of parvo and helping puppies feel better, faster.”
Humans can’t get parvovirus from dogs. Cats cannot contract canine parvovirus either. However, cats can get feline parvovirus, and dogs can contract some newer variants of feline parvovirus.