Elanco launches campaign to educate owners on flea protection

Recent research by Elanco Companion Animal Health has revealed that while nearly half of dog owners allow their pets to swim at least once a month during the summer, over 45% of those questioned were unaware that if a dog is bathed or swims it may lose protection from spot-on flea treatments with only a sixth realising that the active ingredients in some spot-on insecticides can harm aquatic organisms.

With this in mind, Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched a ‘Stop Fleas Fast’ campaign to raise awareness of fleas and the importance of regular, fast-acting treatment. The initiative will encourage pet owners to talk to their vets about flea infestations and Comfortis chewable tablet for dogs, the first and only chewable, beef flavoured tablet that starts to kill fleas in 30 minutes and is 100% effective in four hours. The tablet is easy to administer and there is no residue on the pet after application.

The campaign will be backed by an extensive PR, radio and Web TV campaign that will be spearheaded by Gavin and Stacey actress and dog owner, Joanna Page, and RSPCA veterinary surgeon, David Grant.

Animal welfare initiative to improve the lives of millions of dairy cows across the UK

A new animal welfare tool is being launched to help improve the lives of millions of dairy cows across the UK.

This standardised system of direct observation has been developed as part of the AssureWel project, led by the RSPCA, the Soil Association and the University of Bristol. It is a quick and simple way to assess the welfare of dairy cows which can be used by farm assurance schemes, farmers, vets and other animal welfare professionals.

Inspectors from RSPCA’s Freedom Food and the Soil Association will now undergo training in the AssureWel welfare measures for dairy cows and by July 2012 all their dairy inspections will include these new welfare assessments. The results will be discussed with producers and, if needed, advice will be given on how to improve welfare even further.

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