CAPC News and Events

Upcoming CAPC Events

The CAPC Road Show will be touring the South Eastern states

Details will be posted soon. Cities to be visited this July include:

• Memphis, TN
• Jackson, MS
• Baton Rouge, LA
• Mobile, AL
• Tallahassee, FL
• Clearwater, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Ft. Myers, FL
• Naples, FL
• Orlando, FL
• Daytona Beach, FL
• Palm Coast, FL
• Jacksonville, FL
• Atlanta, GA

CAPC, Nestle Purina Host Community Practice Symposium for Educators

The second Community Practice Communications and Leadership Symposium for primary care educators was held April 28 – May 1 in St. Louis, Mo. The three-day program, sponsored by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and Nestle Purina, drew more than 30 veterinary educators interested in enhancing their leadership and communications skills, as well as those of their students.

Read Press Release

CAPC Statement Regarding Heartworm Preventive Efficacy

Read the CAPC's response to the growing body of anecdotal reports and experimental evidence that currently available heartworm preventives (macrocyclic lactones) may not be completely efficacious in preventing heartworm infection in dogs. 

Read Press Release

CAPC Responds to EPA Plan for Topical Parasite Products for Pets

In response to the EPA’s plan to handle topical parasite control complaints, which was published March 14, 2010, in the Federal Register, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) says the plan doesn’t go far enough in addressing the core concerns of the veterinary profession as it relates to responsible use of “spot-on” products for pets.

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Wall Street Journal Article on Parasites

Developing World’s Parasites, Disease Hit U.S. Researchers Say Infections Spread by Bug Bites, Larvae Are Flourishing Along Border and in Other Pockets of Poverty.

CAPC Co-sponsors “Pets, People and Pathogens: Emerging Diseases”

A Physician/Veterinarian Collaborative Seminar on Zoonotic diseases: parasitic diseases, bacterial resistance and emerging diseases. To be held November 18, 2009 at the Westin Hotel in Providence, RI. Learn more.

CAPC Addresses Reports of Increased Reactions to Topical Flea Products

Mike Paul, DVM, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), responds to the recent EPA report of an increase in adverse events associated with the use of certain groups of topically applied flea control products commonly known as “spot on” formulations, which are approved for  use on dogs and cats.

Read Press Release

CAPC Comments on Adverse Events

The prevention and control of internal and external parasites has done much to improve the comfort and health of companion animals and to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission of parasites and vector-transmitted diseases.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends the year-round use of monthly administered chemoprophylactic products labeled for use against fleas, ticks, heartworms and intestinal parasites. Use of these products, as with any medication, should always be considered to carry certain risks as well as very real benefits.

These risks of “adverse events” occur in a wide range of situations and range from very minor to the extremely uncommon fatality.

Parasite control should always be considered as a medical procedure. Further, it should only be administered with familiarity of the individual drug profile and following the labeled directions for indication, dose and frequency of administration.

Caution should be used in treating debilitated animals.

Parasite prevention and control do much to reduce both animal and human exposure and disease and should be used accordingly at recommended intervals, all year long.

View CAPC Presentations from 2009 TNAVC

Did you miss the CAPC Symposium at 2009 TNAVC? You can see the presentations at Clinician's Brief, exactly as they were in Orlando.

(Video presentations linked with permission from Clinician’s Brief)

• “Don’t Allow Parasites to Be a Catastrophe” by Dr. Catherine Lund
• “You Get What You Eat!” by Dr. Dwight Bowman
• “Why Don’t They Listen? Improving Pet Owner Adherence” by Dr. Gary Holfinger & Dr. Jay Stewart
• “Managing Heartworm Disease in the Sick Patient: Should All Infected Patients Be Treated & How?” by Dr. Tom Nelson

Free CAPC-Sponsored VetMedTeam Online CE Course

VetMedTeam and CAPC have worked together to create a free, RACE- approved, online CE course titled Focus on Fecal Diagnostics.

People, Pets & Parasites CE-Accredited Programs Sponsored by CAPC

Fleas & Ticks • Heartworm • Intestinal Parasites

LIFELEARN is proud to announce the launch of its new CE website LifelearnCE.com. They are updating
and evolving their traditional CD programs to a new web-based format; maintaining the same high
quality, advanced media features and engaging, interactive learning. As part of the launch, the People Pets & Parasites programs, authored by Bowman and Lucio-Forster and sponsored by CAPC
will be showcased.

1. Fleas & Ticks: Accredited for 1 hour of CE
2. Heartworm: Accredited for 1 hour of CE
3. Intestinal Parasites: Accredited for 2 hours of CE

LIFELEARN’S CE WEBSITE FEATURES
The new e-learning website is designed for the entire practice team and includes courses for receptionists, nurses, technicians, practice managers and veterinarians. All programs are accredited through RACE and the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.

In addition to a search engine to find the right title, courses can be reviewed as a list, or sorted by title, subject, audience and other parameters. Pricing is based on individual use rather than by practice; making it affordable to individuals and small practices. Individuals register and create their own account, user name and password and can view time remaining, test scores and printable
certificates. A practice manager can create a ‘manager account’ which allows them to purchase and assign courses to their staff. The manager then has full access to each team member’s course
information including individual test scores, evaluations and certificates, allowing for convenient training, implementation and tracking.

Press Release April 1, 2010: NAVTA Endorses CAPC Guidelines for Effective Parasite Control

For Immediate Release

BEL AIR, Md. (April 1, 2010) – The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) proudly announces that its parasite control guidelines have been endorsed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).  The endorsement of the guidelines by NAVTA acknowledges and supports the ongoing efforts of the CAPC to educate veterinarians, technicians and pet owners about the importance of preventing parasites in dogs and cats as well the potential transmission of parasite related diseases to people.

Dr. Mike Paul, executive director of the CAPC, said the organization is enthusiastic about the support they have received from the technicians’ association. “The NAVTA endorsement reinforces the fact that both organizations are committed to animal and human health. This collaboration will go a long way in increasing awareness and understanding of the parasite control guidelines, leading to their increased implementation as part of best medicine practices for companion animals,” Paul said.

He notes that technicians play a critical role in health care for dogs and cats, often conveying important information to pet owners about parasite control and treatment on behalf of the health care team. “CAPC has always recognized the important role of technicians in conveying our message and we are pleased to partner with them in this effort. We look forward to working with NAVTA and other professional organizations to further our mission of educating pet health practitioners and the public on the importance of year-round parasite control in pets and we are pleased to add them to our list of endorsing organizations The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), The Heartworm Society (HWS) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) “

“Internal and external parasites are a significant cause of disease and discomfort in animals and can pose a serious threat to the health of people,” said Andrea Ball, executive director of NAVTA. “NAVTA is very happy to endorse and promote the CAPC parasite guidelines to members. More importantly, we encourage technicians to communicate the message as part of a comprehensive wellness program for their clients.”

The CAPC guidelines were developed in 2003 to increase practitioner and consumer awareness of parasitic diseases and the zoonotic risks to human health, while encouraging the implementation of year-round preventative measures that improve pet health and the human-animal bond.

The guidelines and other information on parasite prevention and control can be found www.capcvet.org for health care providers or www.petsandparasites.org for pet owners

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (www.navta.net) is a nonprofit organization that represents and promotes the profession of veterinary technology. Incorporated 1981, NAVTA is the national organization devoted exclusively to developing and enhancing the profession of veterinary technology through education, advocacy and promotion within the industry and to the general public.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org)  is an independent not-for-profit foundation comprised of parasitologists, veterinarians, medical, public health and other professionals that provide information for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. Formed in 2002, the CAPC works to help veterinary professionals and pet owners develop the best practices in parasite management that protect pets from parasitic infections and reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission.

Press Release May 13, 2009:CAPC Addresses Reports of Increased Reactions to Topical Flea Products

For Immediate Release

BEL AIR, Md. (May 13, 2009) – Recent reports from the EPA indicate an increase in adverse events associated with the use of certain groups of topically applied flea control products commonly known as “spot on” formulations, which are approved for use on dogs and cats.

According to Mike Paul, DVM, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), the EPA reported a recent dramatic increase to a level of 40,000 adverse events.

“While these figures are concerning, they must be interpreted in light of information that is absent from the report. An adverse event that is reported may be anything from disappointing results, unacceptable odors, or temporary changes to the hair coat, to more significant events such as gastrointestinal upsets, respiratory signs like coughing or sneezing, or skin irritations at the point of application. On rare occasions, serious and life threatening symptoms and even death may occur,” he explains.

While no adverse event is desirable, Dr. Paul says that it’s clear the vast majority of cases are of lesser significance, and the EPA report to date does not clarify the nature or frequency of adverse events.
“The range of products used is amazingly broad,” Dr. Paul adds. “Not only are these products specifically labeled for indication by species, they are also clearly labeled for frequency of application and dosage. There is no reference in the EPA report to adherence to these labeled restrictions.”

In addition, the CAPC notes another variable is the source of these products.  It says many products are available over the counter in retail establishments and are sold with no personal directions, restrictions or specific indications other than on the package label.  Other products are available from Internet sources with no assurance of purity, safety or efficacy since some are illegally imported or not appropriately manufactured.

 Dr. Paul says products dispensed by veterinarians with a client/patient relationship are the most completely supervised with regard to species application, dose and frequency of application, but even these products can be mishandled.

“While 40,000 adverse events is concerning, it is important to consider this number in light of the total doses administered from veterinary sources, internet sources and retail sources, a figure that is simply not available,” Dr. Paul explains. “We do have information on veterinary-dispensed products and even in light of that number, the percentage of adverse events is extremely low and the percentage of major adverse events is miniscule. The incidence of adverse events should always be of concern but must be interpreted in light of the above realities.”

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, the improved control of fleas and ticks has done much to improve the comfort level and quality of life of dogs and cats. Further, particularly in view of increased geographic ranges of external parasites and the diseases they carry, flea and tick control have significant implications in protecting human health. Ectoparasites and their control is a genuine zoonotic concern with very real public health implications.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org)  is an independent not-for-profit foundation comprised of parasitologists, veterinarians, medical, public health and other professionals that provide information for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. Formed in 2002, the CAPC works to help veterinary professionals and pet owners develop the best practices in parasite management that protect pets from parasitic infections and reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission.