New Data at WSAVA Congress 2023 Reinforce Merck Animal Health’s Leadership in Companion Animal Science and Innovation as well as Commitment to Veterinarians

Symposium highlights data on an innovative, aqueous suspension of fluralaner for subcutaneous injection that was recently approved in Australia

Scientific sessions highlight the importance of the One Health commitment to people, animals, environment

Featured studies provide insights for otitis externa treatment, parasite prevention and infectious disease prevention

RAHWAY, NJ — Sept. 27, 2023 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside  of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced the presentation of new data across its innovative portfolio of Companion Animal solutions at the 48^th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress and the 28th FECAVA Eurocongress (WSAVA 2023) in Lisbon, Portugal. The WSAVA Congress is an internationally recognized veterinary event that convenes experts from around the world.

The Company also will host a symposium for attendees on flea and tick treatment adherence that includes data on the efficacy provided by a subcutaneous injectable formulation of fluralaner, as well as sponsoring a One Health Rabies Elimination symposium discussing the “Zero by 30” plan.

“The WSAVA works diligently to enhance clinical care guidelines for Companion Animal species,” said Damien Martin, head of global companion animal business unit, Merck Animal Health. “We are pleased to have a seat at the table during this year’s congress to continue advocating for a One Health approach and exploring ways to collaboratively improve health and sustainability for people and animals. We also look forward to sharing our latest breakthrough innovation with fluralaner, as well as infectious disease prevention via awareness and vaccination. This research underscores our commitment to ongoing innovation in this complex and ever-changing environment.”

Symposium: Breakthrough Science on Parasite Control

Merck Animal Health will host a symposium titled, “Is Yearly, Injectable Flea and Tick Protection Possible?” presented by Jason Drake, DVM, DACVM-Parasitology, director, scientific marketing affairs – parasiticides, global companion animal business unit, Merck Animal Health. The symposium will include a presentation of study results related to the efficacy and safety provided by a once-yearly injectable formulation of fluralaner.

The symposium will take place on Wednesday, September 27, at 13h25 in room 3A+B of the WSAVA Congress hall.

Scientific session: “Zero by 30” program panel

Merck Animal Health will sponsor a symposium on rabies elimination in the One Health track at the Congress, which will focus on progress towards the inspirational “Zero by 30” rabies elimination goal, featuring Sarah Cleaveland, OBE FRS FRSE, professor of comparative epidemiology, University of Glasgow; Luke Gamble, DVM, founder and CEO, Mission Rabies; and Felix Lancaster, DVM, associate professor, Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University and director, Rabies Free Africa. Mission Rabies and Rabies Free Africa are part of the Afya Program, a global non-profit initiative dedicated to the goal of eliminating canine-mediated rabies.

The panel will begin at 14h20 on Thursday, September 28, World Rabies Day, in Room 5C.

Featured scientific presentations and posters at WSAVA 2023 include:

Unique, first-line, single-dose, in-clinic ear drops suspension quickly relieves clinical signs of acute and acute recurrent otitis externa in dogs

Otitis externa (OE) can be treated successfully in dogs using appropriate topical medication selected based on diagnostics. However, there are several challenges associated with traditional OE treatment, which can result in poor treatment compliance and, ultimately, treatment failure.

Merck Animal Health conducted a masked, randomized, multicenter study evaluating the clinical microbiology, safety and efficacy of a single, 0.8-ml in-clinic dose of gentamicin, posaconazole, mometasone furoate ear drops suspension compared to a florfenicol- and terbinafine-containing control product (CP) in dogs with acute and acute recurrent OE. There was a rapid improvement in clinical signs of OE with a 57% decrease in clinical ear (OTIS-3) scores within 7 days of treatment of dogs with the gentamicin, posaconazole and mometasone furoate ear drops suspension. Most dogs (89.5%) were considered a treatment success, with healthier ears (OTIS-3 score ≤4) on day 14 and healthy ears (OTIS-3 score ≤3) on day 28, which was non-inferior to the CP (87.2%).The single-dose, in-clinic treatment is safe and effective in dogs with otitis externa.

• Clinical Microbiology, Safety and Efficacy of a Single In-Clinic Dose of Gentamicin, Posaconazole and Mometasone Furoate in Dogs with Otitis Externa

Two canine parvovirus vaccine strains are equally protective against feline parvovirus

African wild dogs are commonly given vaccines containing canine parvovirus (CPV); however, they can still be infected with feline parvovirus (FPV) which has been implicated as the cause of severe disease in litters. Thus, it has been questioned whether CPV vaccines can adequately protect against disease caused by FPV. 

Merck Animal Health will present data from a study assessing the efficacy of two commercial canine vaccines, each containing a different CPV strain, to protect against FPV. The study used domestic shorthaired cats as surrogate FPV-susceptible hosts. In the study, 13 cats were divided into three groups with the first receiving a CPV-2 vaccine, the second receiving a CPV-2c vaccine, and the third serving as an unvaccinated control group. All cats were challenged oronasally with FPV 28 days after vaccination and then monitored for clinical signs of disease, weight loss and leukopenia, and viral excretion via feces.

The data in totality showed that both the CPV-2 strain and CPV-2c strain were highly effective in protecting all vaccinated cats against clinical signs of disease, leukopenia and viral excretion of FPV.

• A Canine Parvovirus Type-2 and Type-2c Vaccine Are Both Highly Effective in Protecting Against Feline Parvovirus Challenge

Participating in everyday social activities is a significant potential source of infection for canine infectious respiratory disease

Merck Animal Health also will share results from quantitative market research that focused on dog owners and veterinarians to better understand risk factors for canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD). Also known as “kennel cough,” CIRD is a contagious and multifactorial disease that veterinarians see over three times as many cases, than other common infectious diseases including CPV and distemper.

CIRD traditionally has been associated with kenneling; yet recent observations show that everyday social activities also could play a large role in infection. The study analyzed patient records from the most recent CIRD cases using a representative sample of 1,207 pet owners and 456 companion animal veterinarians across six European countries.

The results found that almost 40% of CIRD cases were reported to be associated with everyday social activities, such as playing with other dogs in public places, meeting other dogs outside the home or going for a walk with other dogs; whereas only 20% of cases were associated with kenneling. This research confirms that everyday social activities are an important risk factor for exposure to CIRD.

• Everyday Canine Social Activities Are Likely to Be a Significant Yet Underestimated Risk Factor for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease 

About Merck Animal Health

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals^®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. 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 and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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