Non-profit Goes RVing to Promote Pet and Human Health

The Upper Midwest-bound Companion Animal Parasite Council Road Show drives home the importance of year-round parasite prevention to protect pets and people

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Companion Animal Parasite Council

Aug 16, 2011, 02:32 ET

BEL AIR, Md., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyme disease and heartworm are endemic to the Upper Midwest, which is where the nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is headed for its fourth annual Parasite Education Road Show, July 20 – August 3.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110816/CG53219)

During stops in 13 cities – Omaha, Neb.; Des Moines; Minneapolis; Chicago; Madison, Wis.; Milwaukee; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Lansing, Mich.; Toledo; Pittsburgh; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati; and Indianapolis – parasitologists and veterinarians with the CAPC (www.petsandparasites.org) will educate pet owners and families about zoonotic diseases, also known as parasitic diseases that are transmitted from pets to people, and how to prevent them. The key to prevention, experts say, is year-round parasite protection for dogs and cats.

Parasites in the Upper Midwest

"There are parasites and zoonotic diseases, sometimes a higher-than-expected incidence, in every Midwestern city on our Road Show schedule," said Dr. Ruth MacPete, resident veterinarian for the 2011 CAPC Road Show. "Parasites can be found in all 50 states, every day of the year, regardless of the weather. Year-round monthly administration of combination heartworm and internal parasite preventives as well as flea and tick control are vital in preventing diseases from infecting our pets and families."

Other common parasites in the region are fleas and ticks, which can cause discomfort, illness and serious disease in pets and people. Both of these pests are year-round problems that require the monthly use of one of several safe and effective preventive products on the market.

Preventing Parasites

The CAPC recommends that pet owners use these easy-to-administer preventive medicines year-round to control most internal and external parasites – including heartworms, fleas and ticks – for the life of their dog or cat, no matter where they live.

"If you prevent parasitic infections in companion animals, you greatly reduce the chances of zoonotic transmission to people," said MacPete.

The CAPC Road Show

The CAPC is touring the Upper Midwest in a 34-foot-long RV wrapped in vivid images of children with dogs and cats to drive home the point that pet owners should administer year-round parasite preventives, because parasites pose potential risk in every geographic region of the country. The vehicle will make stops in 13 cities, with free ask-a-vet educational events and giveaways in each one. The public and their pets are invited to stop by to learn more about protecting their families, dogs and cats from harmful parasites and register to win an iPod in:

Omaha, Neb. \| July 20, 2011
12 - 4 p.m. at Lucile's, 510 S. 10th Street

Des Moines \| July 21, 2011
4 – 7 p.m. at Gray's Lake, Fluer Dr. & George Flagg Pkwy.

Minneapolis \| July 23, 2011
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Lake of the Isles Dog Park, 700 Hennepin Ave.

Chicago \| July 24, 2011
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St.

Madison, Wis. \| July 25, 2011
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Quann Park, 1402 Wingra Creek Pkwy.

Milwaukee \| July 26
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Veteran's Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

Grand Rapids, Mich. \| July 27, 2011
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Shaggy Pines, 3895 Cherry Ln. in Ada, Mich.

Lansing, Mich. \| July 28, 2011
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Soldan Dog Park, 1601 East Cavanaugh Rd.

Toledo, Ohio \| July 30, 2011
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Bass Pro Shops, 10000 Bass Pro Blvd. Rossford, Ohio

Pittsburgh \| July 31
12 – 4 p.m. at The Strip, 21st and Penn Streets

Columbus, Ohio \| August 1, 2011
4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Big Walnut Dog Park, 5000 E. Livingston

Cincinnati \| August 2, 2011
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Wags Dog Park, 3810 Church St.

Indianapolis \| August 3, 2011
11 – 2 p.m. at American Legion Mall

The CAPC will distribute literature about parasites and disease prevention at each event as well as give away fun gifts such as "tick keys" (to aid in tick removal), frisbees and tennis balls. For a complete 2011 CAPC Road Show schedule and more information, visit www.PetsAndParasites.org.

About the CAPC

The nonprofit CAPC (www.PetsAndParasites.org) is an independent council of veterinarians and other animal health care professionals established to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human-animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of parasitic infections. The CAPC brings together broad expertise in parasitology, internal medicine, public health, veterinary law, private practice and association leadership.

SOURCE Companion Animal Parasite Council