MSD Animal Health hails success of Big Tick Project

MSD Animal Health has highlighted the success of its Bravecto Big Tick Project, designed to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms associated with tick-borne disease.

Conducted in association with the University of Bristol and supported by TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, the initiative saw vets giving dogs tick checks, with the parasites then sent for testing at the University of Bristol.

As a result, 6,500 ticks removed from dogs this summer are currently being tested for pathogens, with 94 percent of vets reporting their experience of the project as being good or very good.

When asked about why they took part, 96 percent of vets said they wished to make a contribution to science, while 90 percent said they wanted to help obtain regional data on the scale of the tick problem.

The scheme has also been successful from an awareness perspective, with 71 percent of vets reporting higher levels of awareness of the risks presented by ticks and 49 percent noting a rise in the number of clients asking about ticks unprompted.

MSD marketing manager Jolian Howell said: "A study of this size and scale will undoubtedly give scientists and veterinary surgeons a valuable insight into the transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases."