Campaign to save 1 million puppies from canine parvovirus is officially underway

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Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced the launch of its multi-year campaign, Defend Puppies. Defeat Parvo, to save 1 million puppies from the highly contagious canine parvovirus (parvo). The campaign wants to increase education to pet parents about this disease and increase access veterinarians have to its USDA conditionally approved Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody.

"Parvo doesn't have to be a death sentence. Our innovative treatment for parvovirus can help veterinarians and pet owners alleviate the emotional toll associated with parvo," said Jennifer Miller, DVM, technical veterinarian with Elanco, in an organizational release.¹ "Elanco's Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody is redefining how we treat the disease, but we can't defeat parvo alone. We're calling all veterinarians and dog lovers to join our mission and help us save more dogs, more quickly. Together, we can save 1 million puppies by 2030."

The campaign is working to reach more puppies quickly by:¹

• A newly established Elanco’s Defenders Fund offers up to $1 million in rebate incentives from Elanco to veterinarians who purchase the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody to help veterinarians treat more parvo cases. Veterinarians can track rebates via myElanco rewards.
• The creation of Parvo Defenders Task Force is made up of industry leaders and advocates such as Mars Veterinary Health, IDEXX, Kristin Zersen, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Hunter Finn, DVM, Fred Metzer, DVM, MRCVS, DABVP, and more bringing awareness to parvo and its treatment options. The companies and veterinarians will work to bring awareness to this disease and its treatment options as well as share insights on pain points associated with diagnosing and treating parvo.
• A grassroots campaign enlisting and empowering dog owners, pet lovers, and veterinarians, to take the Defend Puppies. Defeat Parvo's pledge to stop puppies from dying from parvo and promise to do their part to save 1 million puppies by 2030.

"I'm hoping that the canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody will become the standard of care," expressed Metzger.¹ "If we make it our first line of therapy, I think you could divert cases away from the ER and back to the private practitioner, where we can treat a large number of parvo puppies that are not even being looked at right now. I'm hoping it will free up emergency clinics a little bit more to really handle the cases that need more immediate care. I see no reason why the canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody wouldn't be the standard of care moving forward."

To learn more about the campaign’s missions and Elanco’s Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody, check out DefeatParvo.com.

Reference

Elanco launches multi-year mission to save 1 million puppies from canine parvovirus. News release. Elanco Animal Health. January 17, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elanco-launches-multi-year-mission-to-save-1-million-puppies-from-canine-parvovirus-302036358.html