Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announces the availability of Protazil, the first and only alfalfa-based top-dress, antiprotozoal pellet indicated for the treatment of horses.
“Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health recognizes the frustration veterinarians face when diagnosing and treating EPM,” says Wendy Vaala, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Senior Equine Technical Services Veterinarian. “That is why we developed an alfalfa-based product that helps simplify the treatment and encourages better client compliance.”
Protazil is an easy-to-administer, alfalfa-based pellet containing 1.56 percent diclazuril that is fed as a top-dress on the horse’s daily grain ration. This formulation is designed to eliminate the tubes and mess clients face with other EPM treatment products. Each container of Protazil comes with an easy-to-read calibrated scoop, allowing for flexible dosing based on the weight of each individual horse.
EPM treatments like Protazil are intended to treat central nervous system (CNS) infections in the horse due to S. neurona. However, if the disease is not recognized early and treatment is delayed, there may be irreversible damage to the CNS.
Protazil was proven safe in a field safety study of 214 privately owned horses of various genders, breeds and ages that tested positive for EPM based on clinical examinations and positive Western blot tests performed on the CSF.
“EPM is a frustrating disease that continues to confound the industry, but we’re continuing to make progress in understanding the disease as well as finding new, innovative ways to help diagnose and treat EPM,” Vaala says. “Protazil is one example. It is a safe, efficacious and hassle-free way to treat EPM.”
