Go With The Gold, a sweepstakes program offered by Merial, Ltd., is launching this month in equine retail stores across the country, giving horse owners the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and attend one of two premier equine events.
Purchasers of ZIMECTERIN® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel) can enter the drawing via a code provided at checkout. Customers can also enter by texting GOLD to 38470. They’ll receive a link to a video to watch on their phone, after which a sweepstakes entry code will be provided.
The contest runs through September 30, 2014, and the winner will be announced in October. The winner gets a choice of one of two equestrian events to attend; the prize package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, event tickets and spending money. Complete contest rules can be found at www.RethinkDeworming.com/Go, a site that also has information about strategic deworming.
“We know Las Vegas is home to equine events showcasing world-class athletes, both the equine and human variety,” says Beckie Peskin, senior equine brand manager, Merial. “One thing all horses have in common, whether they are highly competitive or are simply the faithful family steed, is the need to be on a strategic deworming program.”
For horse owners to get the most out of deworming products, they should abandon the long-time habit of simply rotating them and treating every horse the same, a concept that originated more than four decades ago.1 “Based on scientific evidence, we now know there is a more effective way to manage parasites,” says Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, manager, Merial Large Animal Veterinary Services.
That parasite management strategy starts with fecal egg counts to identify high, moderate and low shedders. Based on that information, individual treatment plans can be developed. Following treatment, Fecal Egg Count Reduction Tests are used to help determine whether or not specific products are effective against the parasites present on a particular farm.
“Another important component of an effective deworming strategy is to incorporate a product with praziquantel, which specifically controls tapeworms,”* adds Cheramie. Praziquantel is found in ZIMECTERIN Gold. Although there are generic ivermectin dewormers, there are no generics that contain praziquantel to control tapeworms.
For more information about strategic deworming and the Go With The Gold sweepstakes, visit www.RethinkDeworming.com.
