Intervet Inc. Announces Availability of Prodigy®
Vaccine Aids in the Prevention of EHV-1-Induced Abortions in Horses
MILLSBORO, Del. (July 21, 2004) - Intervet Inc., one of the world's
leading
animal-health companies, announces the availability of Prodigy®
with Havlogen® as an aid in the prevention of abortion and respiratory
disease caused by Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection found in
horses. EHV-1 is the leading cause of infectious viral abortions in
mares.
"EHV-1 is capable of causing respiratory disease, abortion, still
births, fatal neonatal illness, and neurologic disease in infected
horses. EHV-1 is very widespread in the horse population, and it is
naturally spread most often from nasal secretions. However, the virus
also can be carried and spread in fetal tissues, the placenta, and
uterine fluids from mares that have aborted," says Craig Barnett,
D.V.M., Intervet Technical Services Equine Veterinarian. "Horses
exhibit only short-term protection following recovery from EHV-1 infection,
and horses may be reinfected many times throughout their lives. Regular
vaccination, along with sound management practices, can significantly
decrease viral shedding and the incidence of abortion in the event
of exposure."
Prodigy®/Add One
EHV-1 routinely causes upper respiratory infection in young horses.
Clinical signs include depression, poor appetite, nasal discharge
and cough. In its most extreme form, EHV-1 can cause an outbreak of
abortion, respiratory illness, and some neurologic diseases. Although
the disease can be difficult to diagnose, Dr. Barnett says examination
and laboratory tests performed by your veterinarian is the best way
to determine if a horse is infected with EHV-1.
"Infected horses shed the virus to healthy horses primarily through
respiratory secretions, for example, through direct nose-to-nose contact,
coughing, or sneezing," says Barnett. "The healthier the
horse, the better its chances are to ward off the attack of infection."
Prodigy vaccine provides superior protection against EHV-1
In a severe EHV-1 challenge study, Prodigy-vaccinated mares demonstrated
89.5 percent protection against abortions associated with EHV-1-induced
infections and a
96.1 percent reduction in virus shedding from nasal exudates.
Prodigy is a killed virus vaccine, available in individually packaged
one-dose syringes and 10-dose vials. For pregnant mares, administer
a 2-mL dose intramuscularly during the fifth, seventh and ninth months
of pregnancy. Three doses are essential for primary immunization.
Maiden and barren mares housed or pastured with pregnant mares should
be vaccinated on the same schedule. For primary immunization against
respiratory disease administer three 2-mL doses intramuscularly at
four- to six-week intervals. A 2-mL dose should be administered annually
and at any time epidemic conditions exist or are reported and exposure
is imminent.
Prodigy®/Add
Two
"Prodigy complements Intervet's existing portfolio of products,
which address a host of respiratory, parasitic and reproductive
issues," says Marv Jahde, Marketing Manager, Equine Products
for Intervet. "Intervet products, such as Regu-Mate® (altrenogest),
Panacur® (fenbendazole) POWERPAC, Flu Avert® I.N., Prestige®
and Encevac® vaccines, are a testament to Intervet's commitment
to keeping horses healthy and at peak performance."
For more information about Prodigy or other Intervet products, contact
your veterinarian, contact Intervet Customer Service at 1-800-441-8272,
or visit www.intervetusa.com.
Intervet
Inc. (www.intervetusa.com) is an affiliate of Intervet International,
one of the world's leading animal-health companies. The company
is a leader in research and dedicated to the development, production
and marketing of innovative, high-quality animal health products
such as Regu-Mate® (altrenogest), Panacur® (fenbendazole)
POWERPAC, Flu Avert® I.N., Prestige® and Encevac®. Intervet
International employs more than 4,800 personnel and maintains a
global distribution network of subsidiary companies and agents in
120 countries. Prodigy, Havlogen, Prestige, Regu-Mate, Safe-Guard,
Panacur and Encevac are registered trademarks of Intervet Inc. .
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