April 28, 2009, Fort Lee, N.J. --­­­ Vectra 3D® vectoricide has been granted expanded label claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Veterinarians can feel confident that when they recommend Vectra 3D® to dog owners, they are ensuring protection against six common vectors: ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, sand flies, mites and lice. Vectra 3D® is an advanced monthly broad­spectrum topical vectoricide.

The incidence of these parasites and vector­borne diseases is on the rise throughout the United States. Suburban sprawl and increased deer populations continue to spread vector­borne diseases that are also easily transmitted to pets and humans, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and bartonellosis. All of these parasites and the diseases they may transmit are putting more dogs at risk.

According to Denise Kobuszewski, DVM, Summit VetPharm Veterinary Services Manager, “Our family dog is an important member of the family. As our companions, they accompany us not only on our daily jog, walk or hike, but also on vacations where their exposure to tick­borne diseases is increasing. It is important to prescribe the best monthly protection for pets, as well as perform annual screenings for tick­borne diseases.”

Vectra 3D® features a triple­action formula that provides quick killing of fleas in 2 hours and is proven to kill adult fleas within 6 hours while controlling all stages of immature fleas (eggs, larvae, pupae). Vectra 3D® repels and kills multiple genera of ticks, including the Western Black Legged tick, Deer tick, American Dog tick, Gulf Coast tick, Brown Dog tick and Lone Star tick; repels and kills three species of mosquitoes, including those that transmit West Nile virus; and repels and kills sand flies, lice and mites that may cause leishmaniasis, severe dermatitis, and ‘walking’ dandruff. When applied monthly, the Vectra 3D® quick­drying formula keeps on working, even after bathing or swimming.

“Fleas can be difficult to control because the majority of the flea life stages, approximately 95 percent, thrive as eggs, larvae and pupae,” according to Professor Byron Blagburn, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University. “The combination of a flea adulticide with an insect growth regulator (IGR) that controls immature flea stages is a real advantage, because it works more effectively, with less resistance.” Anemia, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), skin infections, bartonellosis, tapeworms and tularemia are just some of the diseases associated with fleas. Fleas multiply rapidly, and can survive in pet beds, carpets, floors, furniture, closets and other dark corners of a home. Just one female flea can lay 20­50 eggs a day, which can add up to thousands and a full­blown environmental infestation.

Vectra 3D® features a patented applicator design that makes topical application easy, clean and accurate, and it minimizes abrasions to the skin. The elongated one­piece applicator used on all Vectra® ectoparasiticides makes it easy to get through the thickest of pet fur and ensures the product is properly administered on the skin.

Vectra 3D® is available in four dose sizes for dogs and puppies over 7 weeks of age and ranging in weight from 2.5 lbs to over 95 lbs, and is sold exclusively through licensed veterinarians.

­Ceva’s Bloodhound® Technology ­ an innovative, proprietary track and trace system, ensures veterinary exclusivity and authenticity of the product. Each package of Vectra® can be traced from the point of manufacture to the veterinary purchase. Bloodhound® Technology allows Ceva to maintain the integrity of its products through a secure distribution channel, as well as guarding against counterfeits.

About Ceva Animal Health: Ceva’s key companion animal products include the Vectra® line of parasiticides, D.A.P.® and Feliway® pheromone behavior aids and Senilife® neuroprotection for aging pets.  Ceva Biomune’s key poultry products include CEVAC® Transmune IBD, Vectormune® FP and Vectormune® HVT.  Ceva Biomune Campus and the North America Zone headquarters are both located in Lenexa, Kansas.  Visit www.ceva.us.

About Ceva Santé Animale: Ceva’s parent company is a global veterinary health company focused on the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines for pets, livestock, swine and poultry.  Its headquarters is in Libourne, France. Visit www.ceva.com.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Gilliland at carolyn.gilliland[at]ceva.com or 913.945.4448.

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