Leverkusen - Use of the antiparasiticide Advocate^® to combat lungworms (Angiostrongylus vasorum) in dogs is safe and effective, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Copenhagen. Over a two-year period, scientists from the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, investigated the effect of Advocate^® on dogs that had become naturally infected with this parasite. More than 85 percent of the four-legged patients had recovered just 42 days after the first treatment.

The Danish team of scientists headed by Jakob L. Willesen stressed the need for effective drug products in the battle to stem the growing spread of lungworm as well as a greater understanding of the disease and the reason behind its apparent spread into new geographic areas. The parasite, which is transmitted by various species of snail, inhabits the blood vessels in the lungs, thereby causing a severe lung disease. According to the scientists, lungworms are already a problem in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Ireland, southern France, northern Spain and Brazil. It is also likely to spread further.

In August 2007, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) extended the indications of Advocate^® for dogs to cover Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) and Trichodectes canis (mallophagean louse), thus confirming the efficacy of the established antiparasiticide against these two pathogens. Advocate^®, which is marketed under the name Advantage Multi^® in some countries, has a broader spectrum of action against ectoparasites and endoparasites than any other parasiticide approved for dogs.

The proven and reliable action of this product featuring a unique combination of the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin can be used to control fleas, ear mites, mange mites, Demodex mites, mallophagean lice, heartworms, lungworms and gastrointestinal nematodes (ascarids, hookworms and whipworms) in various stages of development.

As a spot-on product, Advocate^® complies with the most up-to-date pharmacological standards and has proved to be particularly successful in practical applications. For example, Advocate^® is the only spot-on product that is effective against the three main types of mites that infest dogs.

In addition to Advocate^® for dogs, which is available in four pack sizes (for dogs with a body weight of up to 4 kg, from 4 to 10 kg, from 10 to 25 kg and up to 40 kg), Advocate^® is also available for cats in the following pack sizes: for cats with a body weight of up to 4 kg and cats weighing between 4 and 8 kg.

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