Many Canadian pet owners put animal's health before their own(1)
Bayer Canada partners with zoologist and television personality, Jarod Miller, to keep Canadian canines healthy and tick-free
TORONTO, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - In a time when many Canadians treat their dogs like they would their children, it's not surprising that some people put their dogs before themselves. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by Bayer found that seven out of 10 Canadian pet owners, who are somewhat concerned about ticks2, are more worried about the health of their pet than their own, especially with regard to ticks and Lyme disease. Additionally, nine out of ten Canadian pet owners voiced concern about their dog picking up ticks.
With ticks on the rise in Canada, Canadian dog owners have reason to worry. In 1990, only one established population of the Blacklegged tick was known on the Ontario shore of Lake Erie. Today, they have been identified in southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, southeastern Manitoba and New Brunswick - and this is only one of the four species found in Canada. Of those surveyed, approximately one in five owners (18%)3 has found a tick on their pet. However, despite the influx of ticks in Canada and the related concern, many Canadian dog owners are still in the dark when it comes to ticks and Lyme disease.
To educate Canadians about the risks and prevention of fleas and ticks, as well as the spread of Lyme disease, Bayer has teamed up with zoologist and television personality Jarod Miller to debunk misconceptions and myths, and offer valuable information.
"As recent springtime temperatures have become unseasonably high, so too have Canadian concerns around ticks and Lyme disease," said Miller. "Unfortunately, Canadians are doing as much head-scratching as they are hand-wringing because, despite the influx of tick-related health problems and worry, Canadians are still confused by the issue."
How bad is it? The survey found that one in four (28%)4 have heard nothing or very little about Lyme disease. More than one in ten (14%)5 are not aware that ticks spread Lyme disease. One in four (27.3%)6 are not aware that they can get Lyme disease just like their dogs.
Perhaps most concerning, the survey also found that the majority of Canadian pet owners wouldn't recognize if their dog had Lyme disease, which causes potentially severe symptoms. Three in five (62.1%)7 are unaware that arthritis/lameness are symptoms of Lyme disease in pets.
"There are lots of reasons Canadians should do what they can to prevent ticks from biting their dogs," said Miller. "K9 Advantix kills ticks on contact before they have the opportunity to bite your dog and spread diseases like Lyme disease."
About Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete (bacteria) species of the Borrelia burgdorferi group. The disease is transmitted when a tick burrows into a dog's fur and attaches to its skin and feeds for as little as 24 hours. Once infected, dogs may experience a stiff walk with an arched back, sensitivity to touch, a fever, lack of appetite, depression, or inflammation of the joints and lymph nodes. Symptoms of Lyme disease generally occur weeks after a tick bite and dog owners may not associate the symptoms they see with a tick bite that happened weeks earlier.
"Reducing dog-owners' worries may be as simple as a trip to the vet for a preventive treatment," said Miller. "Many products are available to treat ticks and K9 Advantix actually kills ticks on contact, which reduces the risk of tick bites and disease transmission."
K9 Advantix kills all four major dog tick species found in Canada: Western, Deer, American, and Rocky Mountain. It becomes effective within 24 hours of application and continues to protect against biting and further infestations for at least four weeks. It contains two active ingredients that kill ticks as soon as they come in contact with a treated dog, which means pet owners can enjoy time outside with their dogs worry-free.
About Jarod Miller
Jarod Miller is an American zoologist, naturalist, pet expert, television host and regular guest lecturer for zoos, universities and promotional events on captive management and wildlife conservations. He grew up in suburban Western New York where he spent most of his childhood outdoors, exploring the nature and visiting zoos around the area. He obtained his degree in Zoology from Oswego State University in New York, where he has published and presented a study on primate behavior and ecology within the scientific community.
Jarod Miller is also a professional fellow on the American Zoo Association, an associate member of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, and a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
About the survey
From February 5th to February 7th, 2013, an online survey was conducted among a sample of 1002 Canadian adults that own a cat or dog that spends time outside, and who are also Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error — which measures sampling variability — is +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The data is weighted by age, gender, region and education according to ensure a representative sample. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About Bayer in Canada
Bayer Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Bayer AG and the corporate headquarters for the Canadian operations. Celebrating its 150th anniversary, Bayer AG is an international research-based group with core businesses in healthcare, crop science and innovative materials committed to creating a better life for all through science.
In Canada, Bayer operates its healthcare business - Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Animal Health and Radiology & Interventional - from its headquarters in Toronto, ON, and Bayer CropScience Inc. operates out of its head office in Calgary, AB. Together with its materialscience business, Bayer improves the quality of life for Canadians through products that fight disease, protect crops and animals, and provide high-performance materials for numerous daily life uses.
With more than 1,300 employees across the country, in 2012, Bayer had sales of $1.6 billion and invested $55.9 million in research and development in Canada. Globally, Bayer AG had sales of €39.8 billion and invested €3 billion in research and development.
For more information about Bayer, please visit www.bayer.ca.
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1 | Vision Critical. (2013). National omnibus survey on Lyme disease and tick knowledge among Canadian pet owners. Results retrieved on February 7, 2013 from Vision Critical. |
2 | Ibid. |
3 | Ibid. |
4 | Ibid. |
5 | Ibid. |
6 | Ibid. |
7 | Ibid. |
SOURCE: Bayer Inc
Media Contacts:
Citizen Relations
Sean Citrigno, tel: 416-934-8033; [email protected]
Sybil Eastman, tel: 416-306-6660; [email protected]
Bayer
Emily Hanft, tel: 416-240-5466; [email protected]
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