Merck Equine Partners in Practice Magazine: Summer 2018

Featured Product | Horse Tips | Did You Know? | Meet The Reps | Ron's Corner

MAGA ZINE

ISSUE NO. 2 | Summer 2018

Featured Product

HOW DEWORMERS WORK IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHY A lot has changed in the world of deworming over the years.

For example, traditional parasite control recommendations involving rotational use of anthelmintics at regular intervals were developed when Strongylus vulgaris (large blood strongyle) was the most important parasitic pathogen of adult horses.

And for years, deworming programs were geared to eradicating parasites from horses. This was not only counterproductive but also unrealistic. Today, the goals of deworming are three-fold: •E liminate enough of the parasite burden to help prevent clinical disease •C ontrol parasite egg shedding and environmental contamination •P reserve the effectiveness of the dewormers we have for the future We have evolved in our thinking, learning and understanding.

But sometimes what is old is new again and we revisit the very compounds that have dramatically changed the way intestinal parasites are managed in horses. Including exactly how they work in the horse to remove the target parasites. One such compound, fenbendazole, has been around for more than six decades, but has a story that has stood the test of time.

Going to battle at the cellular level: The fenbendazole mode of action How a dewormer works – known as mode of action – plays an important role in determining the efficacy and safety of the treatment. Fenbendazole goes to battle at the cellular level, destroying the threat before it can cause problems for the horse. Let’s explore how this is possible and why it is important.

Inside the cells of animals and parasites are structures called microtubules, which are important in a number of cellular processes. When fenbendazole is absorbed by the worm, it interacts with the worm’s microtubules. It works by binding to the beta-tubulin within the microtubules and inhibiting their formation, resulting in disruption of cell division. This potent disruption blocks the parasite's ability to produce energy, starving the parasite until it dies.

LO O K I N S I D E D E WO RM I N G :

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Panacur: The Science of Effective

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What makes fenbendazole unique is that it is more attracted to parasite beta-tubulin than that of the animal being treated.

This means the animal’s cells are not destroyed along with the parasite. This is also the reason the parasite is slowly killed, and why fenbendazole is a safe choice for deworming in so many different situations and for every horse, regardless of age, size or body condition. As well as safe for the environment and many other species.

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Featured Product Tackling two of the toughest parasite threats Ascarids are the primary parasite concern in foals and weanlings, while small strongyles are considered the primary parasite risk in adult horse populations. Fenbendazole’s unique mode of action is uniquely suited to treating both.

Ascarids (roundworms) Ascarids present a two-pronged threat. When eggs are ingested, the larvae hatch and migrate through the walls of the small intestine to the liver, and eventually invade the lungs, creating inflammation and ill thrift. Larvae in the lungs get coughed up, swallowed and passed into the intestinal tract where they become adults in the small intestine. Adult ascarids are large – up to 40 centimeters in length. Severe ascarid infestations can create intestinal obstruction that could lead to impaction colic or intestinal rupture, which can be fatal.

Fenbendazole stops the life cycle by targeting adult ascarids in the small intestine. Fenbendazole’s potent, but safe mode of action, starves the ascarid until it dies. This results in a slow kill, which decreases the likelihood of potential side effects (endotoxic shock, impactions), which may occur after deworming foals with heavy ascarid infections using other classes of dewormers.1,2 The slow kill method of fenbendazole is one of the reasons it’s the recommended option for ascarids.

The second reason is because it remains highly effective.

Ascarids are developing worldwide resistance to ivermectin, moxidectin and pyrantel pamoate.3,4,5,6 Ascarid impaction in a weanling

Encysted small strongyles Small strongyles pose a significant threat because of their ability to encyst. When third stage small strongyle larvae are ingested, they pass through the stomach and go to the lower intestines, where they burrow in the wall of the intestine. At this time the larvae may stop maturing and simply hibernate – or encyst – for prolonged periods of time. As many as 90% of the larvae may become encysted in this manner and remain in this stage of development for 4 months or up to 3 years.7 Over time, encysted larvae continue to accumulate in the intestinal wall. When they start developing again at once – due to seasonal influences – and they all emerge at once (typically spring), this may cause severe problems for the horse, and even death.

The larvicidal dose of fenbendazole, Panacur® POWERPAC, is the only dewormer proven to treat all stages of encysted small strongyles, including the early third-stage that encyst.7 It can uniquely penetrate the mucosal wall and kill the encysted larvae in hiding before the threat of mass emergence. Fenbendazole is not rapidly metabolized, which means effective concentrations are maintained for an extended period of time in the plasma and gut, which increases its effectiveness against immature and arrested larvae, such as encysted small strongyles. This is the basis for the Panacur® POWERPAC five-dose regimen.

Standing the test of time Times have changed along with our approach to deworming horses. Now more than ever it is important to lead the discussion on parasites with horse owners – not only to ensure the anthelmintics we have may continue to stand the test of time, but also to continually position yourself as a resource to owners in all facets of their horse’s care.

Fenbendazole’s mode of action makes it extremely safe and uniquely suited to two of the most common and significant parasites threatening horses, which means Panacur® continues to play a very important role in the effective management of equine parasites. However, dewormers such as fenbendazole have the best chance of success when partnered with fecal monitoring and strategic use of non-chemical parasite control strategies.

Take a closer look at Panacur® and discuss its benefits with your Merck Animal Health sales representative.

Visit www.Science-of-Effective.com for more information.

AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines. Revised February 2016.

Cribb, NC, Cote, NM, Bouré, LP, Peregrine, AS. Acute small intestinal obstruction associated with Parascaris equorum infection in young horses: 25 cases (1985-2004).

N Z Vet J. 2006 Dec;54(6):338-43.

3 Craig TM, Diamond PL, Ferwerda NS, et al. Evidence of ivermectin resistance by Parascaris equorum on a Texas horse farm. J Eq Vet Sci 2007; 27:67-71 1

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Hearn FP, Peregrine AS. Identification of foals infected with Parascaris equorum apparently resistant to ivermectin. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003; 223(4):482-485.

Boersema JH, Eysker M, Nas JW. Apparent resistance of Parascaris equorum to macrocyclic-lactones. Vet Rec 2002; 150(9):279-281 6 Schougaard H, Nielsen MK. Apparent ivermectin resistance of Parascaris equorum in foals in Denmark. Vet Rec 2007;160: 439-440 7 PANACUR (fenbendazole) Paste 10% equine dewormer product label.

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Merck Animal Health

TIPS TO SHARE WITH HORSE OWNERS Share this assessment with your horse owners to help them take stock of their farm to help you guide your next conversation with them about deworming.

- How many horses do I have?

- How old are my horses?

- What dewormers have been used and for which horses? Timing of last administration?

- Is my horse’s mouth empty when I deworm? Is he spitting part of it out?

- Do I read the label on the dewormer before administering?

- How much does each horse weigh?

Chronic under-dosing can lead to resistance.

- How am I currently disposing manure?

- Have I invited my veterinarian to review my management practices? Be sure to ask: • What parasites should I be worried about on my farm?

• When, why and how often should fecal egg counts be performed?

• What non-chemical parasite control strategies are realistic for my farm?

Click to download and share the tips above.

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Merck Animal Health

BUSINESS TIPS Creating a Profit Center with Deworming Although fecal egg counts (FEC) are accepted as an important part of an evidence-based parasite control program, they are unlikely to become widely accepted if they are too expensive or offered only as random diagnostic tests. This is where you can market your extensive knowledge, in addition to diagnostics.

This knowledge includes the distinct advantage of being familiar with the resident horse population and the local farm’s management practices. Because most parasites may not actually be in the horse, but waiting to be consumed, it is important to visit the farm and evaluate ways to reduce parasite loads on pasture and break the transmission cycle.

Offer an annual farm “physical exam” to provide parasite control recommendations: 1) Stocking density 2) Size and overall condition of pastures and/or paddocks 3) Dewormers being used and how often they are being given 4) Age range of horses 5) Perform fecal egg count to identify high and low shedders Panacur® POWERPAC is often recommended once a year for most horses because of its mode of action, including these situations.

1) Young horses and moderate-to-high egg shedders 2) All incoming horses before co-mingling with resident horses 3) Before starting horses on a daily dewormer 4) Foals prior to weaning 5) 10-14 days before performance event 6) Chronic weight loss 7) Chronic diarrhea8 8) Recurring colic

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Tamzali Y. (2006) Chronic weight loss in the horse: a 60-case retrospective study.

Equine Vet Edu. 18, 289-296.

Did You Know?

Results of 2017 American Horse Council (AHC) Economic Impact Study Released After more than a decade, the equine industry has an updated account of the economic impact of the horse industry, including an assessment of the equine population in the United States. Merck Animal Health is proud to be a major supporter of this important study.

Here are a few of the highlights from the 2017 Economic Impact Study, commissioned by the American Horse Council Foundation:

Horse Industry Highlights

2017 Study

2005 Study

Equine Population

7.2 million

9.2 million

Direct Economic Impact

$50 billion

$39 billion

Total Economic Impact

$122 billion

$102 billion

Total Employment Impact

1.7 million jobs

1.4 million jobs

Texas, California and Florida continue to be the top three states with the highest population of horses

The recreational horse industry continues to be the largest sector of the industry, with more than 3.1 million horses being used for activities including trail riding and lessons.

The competition and racing sectors are almost equally split with just over 1.2 million horses being used for each, with “other� comprising the remainder of the equine population.

There are many promising signs for our industry, including 38 million, or 30.5% of U.S. households contain a horse enthusiast, and 38% of participants are 18 years of age or younger. Additionally, approximately 80 million acres of land is reserved for horse-related activities.

If you are interested in the learning more, you may purchase the full report for $80 by visiting the American Horse Council website. In addition, state breakout economic impact studies are also available for purchase.

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Meet The Reps

JEFF BALDRIDGE Senior Territory Manager

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota jeff.baldridge@merck.com 308-530-0407 Tell us a little bit about your horse background.

I was raised on an Angus ranch in Nebraska that always had horses, and even some mules. Cattle production was the focus, not really the horses. I tell people a calf needed to be pretty sick for me to rope it. Rodeo was the only form of equine competition I was involved with in my youth.

I lacked formal training so rough stock was my only option and bareback riding was my choice.

Outside of the equestrian world, what is your favorite hobby?

Elk hunting. But then, the best part of elk hunting is riding horses in the mountains.

If you were a horse, what type of horse would you be?

I suppose a free roaming mustang would be hard to beat.

And I've always liked Wyoming.

What is your favorite part of being an equine sales representative?

It's all about love with horses. I spent 22 years on the cattle team and people own cattle to make a profit so it's all about the money.

Best horse advice you’ve ever received?

Buck Brannaman says whenever you first step into a pen with a horse, all he's trying to figure out is whether you are going to move his feet or is he going to move yours.

Q&A

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How long have you been working for Merck Animal Health?

I have represented this line of products for 32 years. Merck has owned it for the last eight years.

If there were one thing you would want your customers to know about you, what would it be?

I’m working for you.

Meet The Reps

PETE HALE Senior Territory Manager New Mexico, Texas pete.hale@merck.com 512-917-1998 Tell us a little bit about your horse background.

I pretty much grew up with horses, from the time I was 7 or 8 years old we always had horses to ride and a few cattle. I showed a little as a kid and learned to rope. My dad roped and liked to cowboy, so I had the chance to learn around him. I roped quite a bit for a few years – not very well. My folks had an arena and would host big team ropings at their place – always provided me a night or two of practice if I was traveling through. I’ve always made my living within the horse industry. I’ve spent time with the American Quarter Horse Association in public relations, the Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Texas Quarter Horse Association. Now with Merck Animal Health, I still feel connected to the equine industry through my customers and their clients, and I get to be around and talk to horse people every day!

If you were a horse, what type of horse would you be?

Probably that dusty old ranch horse in the pen that the cowboys know will give them a solid day's work. Nothing flashy, just experienced and able to get the job done.

Best horse advice you’ve ever received?

Give the horse a chance to do the right thing – they’re pretty smart; if you give them a chance, most often they will take a step in the right direction.

Outside of the equestrian world, what is your favorite hobby?

Probably too many to be proficient at any of them. I spend as much time as I can with my family; I enjoy building projects; I’ve started fly fishing – that’s a fun challenge; and I go out and hack around the golf course some.

Q&A What is your favorite part of being an equine sales representative?

There are a lot of challenges in this field, and a lot of rewards as well. I like helping my customers find a better way – solving problems. And I enjoy the relationships I’ve developed over the years.

If there were one thing you would want your customers to know about you, what would it be?

I’ve been at this a while because I care about our industry and I am sincerely interested in their success. It’s not just about making the sale, it’s about being a part of their business and feeling like we – Merck – are helping them practice better medicine and provide better care for the horse.

Contact your Merck Animal Health representative to find out about any special offers.

How long have you been working for Merck Animal Health?

By way of Intervet, and now with Merck Animal Health, for 18 years. I’ve been in this industry for about 23 years.

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Ron's Corner

RON ’S C OR N E R

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was asked a while back why I don’t publish a poem in Ron’s Corner. The answer is simple… they’re tolerable at best when I recite them and substandard on paper. With that disclaimer, I’m sharing a poem about the sacrifices my wife has made to allow me to be a part of this great profession. My wife, Nancy, grew up in Memphis with her three brothers and two sisters. She’d never lived a day in the country until she married me. When we visit her family at their nice homes in manicured neighborhoods, I’m reminded of the life she took on because of who I am and how I make my living.

It’s free verse or prose which has only recently been accepted in the cowboy poetry circle. I hope you’ll look past the mediocrity of the poem and consider how fortunate we are to have people in our lives who contribute so much to who we are and what we do. I promise I won’t make a habit of this.

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Ron's Corner

Things Your Sisters Never Had to Worry About Your sisters never had to worry about flat tires after the county road grader came through.

In fact, your sisters don’t even know what grading a road means.

They never had to shoot armadillos that were digging up their yard.

Never had to kill copperhead snakes in their flowerbed.

Never had the neighbor call the house all ticked off cause your husband’s skinny ass bull is in with their cows.

Never had to drive a hay truck in 95-degree heat. Never had to take their husband to the hospital cause a horse bucked him off.

Your sisters never had to live without electricity for days at a time.

They never had to skip a shower cause the stock tank ran over and run the well dry.

Never had a husband who worked out of town over 60 hours a week, so he could afford to day work as a cowboy for $125/day on his days off.

Your sisters have never lived so close to the land and farm animals that they start swatting flies in May and don’t stop swatting until October.

They never had to drive 20 minutes to get a gallon of milk or an hour to get to a Walmart.

Never had to delay their trip to town because a neighbor’s cows are out on the road and you’re the only one around to put them in.

They never had their husband head out the door with a pistol stuck in his britches to confront intruders, only to find out it was just good old boys seining in the creek for minnows to fish with.

They never had to rely on neighbors for emergencies because by the time the sheriff or ambulance would arrive, it’d be too late.

They never had to feed cows, move cows, or nurse orphan calves because their husband, the cowboy, was gone for days at a time.

They never had to drive two hours one-way on curvy, hilly roads to watch their kids play ball because they live in such a rural school district.

Never had to smell the chicken manure when the ranchers spread it on their fields to grow grass.

They never drive into a suburban neighborhood and think wow, pavement, green grass, neat yards, street lights!

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Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitism.

Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. When using Panacur® (fenbendazole) Paste 10% concomitantly with trichlorfon, refer to the manufacturer's labels for use and cautions for trichlorfon.

Panacur® (fenbendazole) Paste 10% is indicated for the control of large strongyles (Strongylus edentatus, S. equinus, S. vulgaris), encysted early third stage (hypobiotic), late third stage and fourth stage cyathostome larvae, small strongyles, pinworms (Oxyuris equi), ascarids (Parascaris equorum), and arteritis caused by fourth stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris in horses.

The Science of Healthier Animals 2 Giralda Farms • Madison, NJ 07940 • merck-animal-health-equine.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright © 2018 Intervet Inc., d/b/a/ Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. 4023-EQUINE-PIP-NEWSLETTER. US/EQI/0718/0011