Fort Dodge's ProMeris for dogs to debut this fall

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Fort Dodge's ProMeris™ for dogs, a low-volume, topical spot-on to control flea and tick infestations and prevent re-infestations on dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older.

The product debuts this fall, available exclusively through veterinarians.

ProMeris for cats, a topical spot-on to control of flea infestations and prevent re-infestation on cats and kittens 8 weeks and older, was introduced in June 2007.

"The new ProMeris line gives veterinarians and pet owners a new weapon to fight today's fleas and ticks, which can be vectors of serious disease and health conditions," says Rami Cobb, BVSc (Hons), MACVSc, senior vice president of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Fort Dodge Animal Health.

ProMeris for dogs contains the active ingredient metaflumizone, a new compound in the animal-health industry. It attacks fleas' nervous systems by blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels, resulting in paralysis and death of the flea.

"Metaflumizone has never before been used to control fleas and research shows they are readily susceptible," says Cobb. "Amitraz, the second active ingredient in ProMeris for dogs, is a well-established tickicide and provides dogs with up to four weeks of tick control. It works by disrupting the tick's normal nerve function, leading to reduced feeding and attachment, paralysis and death of the tick."

While monthly application is generally recommended for optimal flea and tick control, research shows ProMeris for dogs controls fleas and protects against re-infestation for up to six weeks, and may be used to treat dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis.

ProMeris for dogs provides broad-spectrum control of ticks, including the Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis), Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum), which can transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis.

The waterproof product is available in five sizes to provide accurate doses for dogs and puppies of different body weights. Each size is available in three-or six-dose packages.

ProMeris for dogs will be offered only through veterinarians involved in an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Fort Dodge established a veterinarian-only sales policy for ProMeris for dogs because it believes veterinarians should be pet owners' primary source of information to help ensure the health and well-being of their companion animals. Fort Dodge will not sell ProMeris for dogs through over-the-counter (OTC) channels, including Internet pharmacies.

The company created a Track and Trace system, a proprietary technology to help ensure products will only be available from veterinarians. The system features bar-code tracking to trace any product found in the OTC channel back to the purchasing customer.

Packaging features include a nozzle design that helps minimize "splash back" and prevent the dose from spilling out, even when inverted, until the pet owner is ready to apply the product, Fort Dodge reports.

For fastest response, call

(800) 533-8536

www.promeris.com