NexGard™ (afoxolaner) "1 MILLION STEPS FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY DOGS" CHALLENGE ASKS DOG OWNERS TO PLEDGE TO TAKE A WALK WITH THEIR DOG AND UNITE AGAINST TWO COMMON ENEMIES: FLEAS AND TICKS

DULUTH, Ga., June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- All dog owners have two common enemies: fleas and ticks. Now, there is the latest flea and tick control product from Merial, the maker of FRONTLINE® Plus brand products. NexGard™ (afoxolaner) is the first and only soft, beef-flavored chew that kills both fleas and ticks. And Dogs love it.¹ To celebrate the national launch of NexGard, Merial announced today the NexGard "1 Million Steps for Happy, Healthy Dogs" Challenge that asks all dog owners to pledge to take two easy steps – take a walk with your dog and use an effective flea and tick control product.

Merial, the maker of NexGard, will donate up to $1 million in product to support select animal shelters across the country if dog owners pledge to take up to 1 Million Steps.

From now until August 31, dog owners can visit www.1MillionStepsforDogs.com to pledge to take a walk with their dog to participate in the NexGard "1 Million Steps for Happy, Healthy Dogs" program. A 20-minute walk once a day with your dog can help log 2,000 human steps and 4,000 dog steps toward the 1 million steps needed to benefit select animal shelters across the country. Dog owners can pledge to take up to two walks a day throughout the program period.

"Dog owners want great products for their pets, and now your dogs' monthly flea and tick control is easy to give with NexGard, a beef-flavored chew that dogs love," said Jean-Luc Michel, Executive Director of U.S. Pets Marketing for Merial. "The maker of NexGard is asking dog owners to pledge to take a walk with their dog that will benefit select animal shelters across the country."

According to PetMD, taking your dog for regular walks can provide many great benefits such as supporting weight management, promoting a healthy digestive system, controlling destructive behavior, alleviating extra energy, and strengthening the bond between you and your pet.²

Help NexGard Reach 1 Million Steps in New York City
Dog owners and their dogs in New York City can join Eric Stonestreet on Friday, June 6, at the NexGard "1 Million Steps for Happy, Healthy Dogs" Challenge Event at Columbus Circle. From 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. dog owners and their dogs can join the maker of NexGard to log steps to help reach the "1 Million Steps for Happy, Healthy Dogs." Dog owners and their dogs can log steps on treadmills, enjoy a minute of the easy life with custom hand and paw massages, participate in doggie-owner yoga, and other activities, while taking a stand against pests that bug their furry friends. The world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, North Shore Animal League America, will be on-site with a Mobile Rescue and Adoption Unit filled with adoptable animals.

"Every step counts – it is great for your dog and can help shelter dogs across the country," said Eric Stonestreet "I rescued my dog Coleman more than 10 years ago so it is important to me to help improve the well-being of the countless potential adoptable dogs in shelters across the country."

Innovative Flea & Tick Protection for Dogs
From Merial, the maker of FRONTLINE Plus brand products, NexGard is the first and only soft, beef-flavored chew that kills both fleas and ticks. It keeps killing for a full 30 days. And dogs love it.¹ Combining a revolutionary active ingredient with an innovative new form, NexGard is FDA-approved and available with a veterinarian's prescription. NexGard kills fleas fast, before they can lay eggs; prevents flea infestations; comes in a soft, beef-flavored chewable; kills ticks; and lasts for a full month. NexGard is veterinarian recommended flea and tick control.³

NexGard is safe⁴ and effective⁵ when used as directed and is from the maker of FRONTLINE Plus brand products, a brand you can trust. NexGard contains the ingredient afoxolaner. Afoxolaner kills fleas by over-stimulating their nervous system. It helps treat and control fleas and ticks and keeps killing for a full 30 days.⁶

A recent study showed 89 percent of dogs readily consumed¹ NexGard.

Help Protect Your Pet
While often thought of as just a seasonal nuisance, a recent study from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) warns that due to expanding geographic reach of ticks, veterinarians nationwide should recommend year-round parasite control for pets.⁷

Ticks are disgusting and can be dangerous. NexGard is labeled for the treatment and control of Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), American Dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), and Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) infestations in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, weighing 4 pounds of body weight or greater, for one month.

NexGard kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs and helps prevent flea infestations.

Flea & Tick Control Tips
To help protect your pet, take aim at fleas and ticks in and around your home.

• Periodically wash your pet's bed cover in hot water and dry it on a high heat setting to kill any flea eggs and larvae.
• Make your yard less appealing to ticks by cutting grass short and eliminating brush piles.
• Vacuum frequently in your home, especially carpets where your pet tends to lounge.
• Cover all outside crawl spaces and garbage cans to deter wildlife that may carry fleas and ticks.

To learn more about NexGard, please visit NexGardForDogs.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
NexGard is for use in dogs only. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, dry/flaky skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.

For Prescribing Information, please visit: http://www.nexgardfordogs.com/Style%20Library/nexgard/docs/NexGard_PI.pdf

About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 6,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2013 sales were $2 billion. For more information, please visit www.merial.com.  

Merial is a Sanofi company.  

About North Shore Animal League America
North Shore Animal League America has saved more than 1,000,000 lives. As the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn't complete until each animal is placed into a loving home. Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty and advance standards in animal welfare. We reach across the country to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters, unwanted litters, puppy mills, natural disasters and other emergencies and find them permanent, loving homes. As a leader in the no-kill movement, we are dedicated to promoting shelter pet adoptions; encouraging spay/neuter programs; reducing animal cruelty; ending euthanasia; and advancing the highest standards in animal welfare.

Sources:
1.)   Data on file. Merial, Limited.
2.)   PETMD.com "Top Ten Health Benefits Walking Provides Your Pet." http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/general_health/top-ten-health-benefits-walking-your-pet-provides [Accessed May 4, 2014]
3.)   Data on file. Merial, Limited.
4.)   Drag M, Saik J, Harriman J, Larsen D. Safety evaluation of orally administered afoxolaner in eight-week-old dogs. Vet Para 2014;201:198-203.
5.)   Freedom of Information Summary, NADA 141-406, NexGard.
6.)   NexGard Chewables Label.
7.)   DVM360.com "Ticks, other parasites encroaching on new territories, CAPC says" http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Parasitology+Center/Ticks-other-parasites-encroaching-on-new-territori/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/839727  [Accessed May 5, 2014]

®FRONTLINE and HEARTGARD are registered trademarks, and ™NexGard is a trademark, of Merial. ©2014 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Merial