Press Releases
NEW C.E.T.® PET HOME DENTAL CARE CAMPAIGN TO HELP BUILD AWARENESS FOR EXTENDING THE BENEFITS OF IN-CLINIC CARE BEYOND THE CLINIC
CLEAN EVERY TOOTHTM is a Virbac Animal Health campaign to increase awareness of the importance of pet home dental care.
FORT WORTH, Texas (December 2009) — Just as humans need to brush every day between trips to the dentist, pets need regular home dental care to prevent periodontal disease. Getting owners into this healthy daily habit with their pets, however, can be a challenge. That’s why Virbac Animal Health is launching a new CLEAN EVERY TOOTHTM Pet Home Dental Care campaign to help educate pet owners on the importance of making their pet’s dental health part of their daily routine.
Based on their own dental health, people have little trouble understanding the need to protect their pet’s teeth. Awareness is growing. Good Morning America, as well as other well-known TV shows, has prominently featured segments about the need for pet dental care. And veterinary dentistry is not only growing faster than any other specialty, it’s an area that many veterinarians intend to expand or to improve technical skills.
The new campaign, which kicks off in January, supports the annual National Pet Dental Health Month in February, stresses the importance of in-clinic cleanings and treatment, and emphasizes the effectiveness of keeping a pet’s teeth clean on a daily basis.
“Professional dental cleanings are vital. And we’ve now learned that home care, in-between cleanings, is also critical to protect a pet’s teeth and overall health. With C.E.T., it’s our hope that prevention of dental disease will become as natural to pet owners as vaccinations and heartworm prevention,” said Denise Skurdalsvold, senior marketing manager for Virbac. What sets the C.E.T. Pet Home Dental Care program apart from other approaches is the recognition that every patient (and their owner) has different needs. The C.E.T. Pet Home Dental Care approach allows veterinarians to recommend the most appropriate home dental care program based on each patient’s stage of disease and the owner’s ability to comply with recommendations. It’s also designed to help educate clients about pet home dental care, stresses the need to make dental care a daily habit, and offers a choice of three options:
GOOD. The easiest method of home care for pet owners, C.E.T. Chews are easy for pets to chew and digest, and provide good oral hygiene for any cat or dog.
BETTER. Daily care is even easier when owners add C.E.T. AQUADENT® Drinking Water Additive to their pet’s water bowl. Formulated by veterinary dental specialists, it helps prevent plaque accumulation, freshens pet’s breath with every drink, and provides another layer of protection for dental health.
BEST. The best method of home care is toothbrushing, which is surprisingly quick and easy. Consistency is important since brushing requires training. It’s also important for pet owners to use products specifically designed for pets, such as the right sized toothbrush with soft bristles and pet-friendly flavored toothpastes.
All pets benefit from regular professional care, and yet, in-clinic cleanings alone are not enough. Pets, like people, also need home dental care to prevent oral disease and promote good health. Periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease in cats and dogs. It’s also surprisingly similar to the disease in humans in that poor dental hygiene is often to blame. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports that over 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over 3 years of age show some form of periodontal disease.
“Although periodontitis is a progressive disease, it’s actually very easy to prevent through daily plaque removal,” Skurdalsvold said. “The best way to begin managing periodontal disease is with a professional veterinary examination and treatment, and then to establish a regular, consistent habit of home care until the next visit.”
“By recommending daily care, veterinarians are helping feline and canine patients live longer, happier, healthier lives. In the process, they’re keeping clients happy in knowing their pets are in better health,” said Skurdalsvold. “C.E.T. educational materials and products for clients make it easy for veterinary practices to expand their dental care expertise to a year-round program.”
CLEAN EVERY TOOTHTM is a Virbac Animal Health campaign to increase awareness of the importance of home pet dental care. Veterinarians will find useful resources, special offers, and tools to help educate their clients on pet home dental care at www.cetdental.com.
One of the World’s Largest Laboratories Dedicated Exclusively to Animal Health Virbac develops, manufactures and distributes a wide range of products and services intended for the prevention and treatment of common pathologies in both companion and food-producing animals. Virbac Corporation U.S., located in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading companion animal health company offering products in the heartworm, tick and flea, dermatology, antibiotics, endocrinology and oral hygiene markets. Virbac products are available to pet owners exclusively through a veterinarian, including SOLOXINE® (levothyroxine sodium) Thyroid Supplement, PANCREZYME® Pancreas Supplement, TUMIL-K® (potassium gluconate) Potassium Supplement, AMMONIL® Urinary Supplement, UROEZE® (ammonium chloride) Urinary Supplement, C.E.T. ® line of home dental care products, the Virbac line of dermatology products with exclusive glycotechnology, IVERHART® Brand Heartworm Preventive, PREVENTIC® Amitraz Tick Collar for Dogs, NOVIFIT® (NoviSAMe®) Tablets, and ANXITANE® (L-Theanine) Chewable Tablets.
For more information about Virbac and the company’s products, please visit www.virbacvet.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Denise Skurdalsvold • Senior Marketing Manager • Virbac Animal Health • 682-647-3505 • denise.skurdalsvold@virbacus.com
Dave Hill, Management • Supervisor • Stephens & Associates • 913-661-0910, Ext. 111 • dhill@stephens-adv.com
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