Merck Animal Health Launches Global Awareness Campaign to Support Pet Diabetes Month™

A Healthy Pet = A Happy Family

SUMMIT, N.J., November 1, 2014 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) has launched a global awareness campaign to support Pet Diabetes Month™ this November. In its second year, the “Healthy Pet = A Happy Family” campaign highlights that just like humans, dogs and cats can also suffer from diabetes. The campaign is designed to raise awareness to the signs of the condition among pet owners in an effort to encourage them to visit their veterinarians to have their pets screened and/or treated.

New to the campaign this year are a series of “Slice of Life” vignettes from real pet owners who are managing their pets’ diabetes, and together, are living happy, healthy lives. The aim of the vignettes is to show that when pets are diagnosed with diabetes, their life is not over. To watch the video please visit: www.petdiabetesmonth.com.

“Lack of owner awareness is the biggest risk factor associated with pet diabetes,” said Thierry Martine, Merck Animal Health. “Pet diabetes can be easily and effectively managed if the owners know what to look for.”

Excessive thirst, frequent urination and change in appetite are some of the most common signs of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. Pets may also exhibit increased hunger while losing weight, cloudy eyes (due to cataracts) in dogs and weakness of the back legs in cats. Risk factors that may contribute to the development of diabetes mellitus include age (middle-aged to older dogs and cats are more susceptible), genetics, breed and obesity.

Pets enjoy life as members of the family, and Merck Animal Health has brought the science of human health to diabetic pets with VetPen®. For years, insulin pens have made managing diabetes more convenient for human diabetics.

Now, VetPen®, the first insulin pen specifically for use in diabetic dogs and cats, allows pet owners to care for their diabetic pets the way they would care for themselves. VetPen® is more convenient to use than insulin syringes and makes it easier for pet owners to give injections discreetly anywhere. It also provides precision dosing every time.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats ranges from at least one in 1001 to one in 5002. The number of dogs diagnosed with the condition has tripled during the past 30 years3. Today, dogs receiving the proper treatment have the same expected lifespan as a non-diabetic dog of the same age and sex. With treatment, a regular diet and routine, a diabetic cat can also have a happy, healthy life.

If a dog or cat displays signs or is at risk, pet owners should talk to their veterinarian, as getting the condition under control early is paramount to survival. Lack of diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe and life-threatening health issues.

When a pet’s diabetes is well-regulated, diabetic pets can continue to live happy, healthy lives with the families who love them. Today, along with proper diet and exercise, Caninsulin®, the only veterinary insulin product approved for use in both dogs and cats, and VetPen® play an important role in successfully managing the condition. For more information about pet diabetes, please visit www.petdiabetesmonth.com.

About Merck Animal Health
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @MerckAH.

Merck Forward-Looking Statement
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1Nelson RW. Canine diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010: 1782-1796.

2Reusch C. Feline diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010: 1796-1816.

32005;15:12-19.Waltham FOCUSFleeman, LM, Rand JS. Beyond insulin therapy: Achieving optimal control in diabetic dogs.