User:Anaspyder/Companion animal parasite council

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is an independent group of parasitologists,veterinarians, physicians, and legal experts who are "working together to create guidelines for optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people" (http://capcvet.org/other/faqs.html). The council was formed in 2002 in response to a need for more concise guidelines to prevent parasites in people and pets www.capcvet.org.

Mission Statement
Foster animal and human health while preserving the human-animal bond by generating and disseminating credible, accurate and timely information for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of parasitic infections.

Guidelines
The CAPC panel formulates guidelines to assist in the fulfilment of the mission statement. There are specific guidelines for different parasites ands diseases. The current general guidlines are as follows: Parasite Control Should Be Guided by Veterinarians Every Pet, All Year Long Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy pets, Healthy People
 * Prescribe control programs to local parasite prevalence and individual pet lifestyle factors.
 * Adapt prevention recommendations to address emerging parasite threats.
 * Conduct physical examinations at least every six to twelve months or as deemed advisable by your veterinarian.
 * Conduct annual heartworm testing in dogs; test cats prior to placing on preventative and thereafter as indicated by history and physical findings.
 * Conduct fecal examinations two or four times during the first year of life and one to two times per year in adults, depending on patient health and lifestyle factors.
 * Administer year-round broad-spectrum parasite control with efficacy against heartworm, intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential, fleas, and ticks.
 * Administer anthelmintic treatment to puppies and kittens starting at two weeks of age repeating every two weeks until regular broad spectrum parasite control begins.
 * Maintain pregnant and nursing dams on broad-spectrum control products.
 * Feed pets cooked or prepared food (not raw diets) and provide fresh, potable water.
 * Cover sandboxes when not in use and protect garden areas from fecal contamination.
 * Pick up feces immediately whenever walking a dog in a public area; remove feces from the backyard environment at least weekly, preferably daily.
 * Keep dogs and cats under control; do not allow roaming.
 * Practice good personal hygiene when handling animal waste, particularly important for children and other individuals at increased risk.

CAPC Members
Lora R. Ballweber, MS, DVM Byron Blagburn, MS, PhD Gary Block DVM, MS, DACVIM Dwight Bowman, MS, PhD Gary Holfinger, DVM Julie Legred, CVT Cathy Lund, DVM Tom Nelson, DVM Sharon Patton, MS, PhD Jay Stewart, DVM Michael Thomas, DVM

Executive Director: Mike Paul, DVM