| Contact: |
Marty
Maline
Kentucky HBPA
800-928-4272
|
Jon
Sendach
The Rowland Co.
(212) 527-8831 |
Kentucky HBPA Announces
Second Annual Ulcer Screening at Churchill Downs
-With
Free Endoscopic Examination, Everyone Goes Home A Winner-
Louisville,
KY, May 1, 2000 -- As Churchill Downs kick-off Derby Week
activities, the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective
Association (HBPA) will be teaming up with Merial, the worldŐs
leading animal healthcare company and maker of GASTROGARD®
(omeprazole) Paste, to offer free endoscopic screening to any
owner or trainer whose horse doesn't perform up to par. This effort
follows the highly successful nationwide equine gastric ulcer
screening program that debuted at Churchill Downs last year.
"The
Kentucky HBPA is sponsoring this program because of the seriousness
of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Last year, nearly 170
horses participated in our endoscopic screening in Kentucky. More
than 84 percent of those were found to have ulcers and as a result
were placed on a treatment program with GASTROGARD," said Rick
Hiles, President, Kentucky HBPA. "As a group dedicated to promoting
the preservation and enhancement of thoroughbred racing, we are
delighted to bring state-of-the-art diagnostic screening and an
educational program to the owners and trainers of the racing community."
Symptoms
of EGUS, such as a change in eating habits, a dull coat, and an
unwillingness to perform, can be unspecific, making diagnosis
difficult. Endoscopic evaluation is the only definitive diagnostic
tool for the condition, allowing direct examination of the lining
of a horse's stomach by a veterinarian. Clinical field trials
have also demonstrated the widespread treatment failures of common
remedies used on the backstretch. GASTROGARD is the only product
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ulcers
in horses. GASTROGARD is proven to heal and prevent the recurrence
of ulcers with no side effects and can be administered while the
horse is still in training.
"The racetrack professionals are becoming more aware of the devastating
effects ulcers can have on the overall health and performance
of their horses," explained Graham Lumsden, BVM&S, Dip.M., equine
director, global marketing, Merial. "Peak health and performance
is a joint effort between the trainer, owner and veterinarian,
and Merial is hoping to be a part of each winning team."
Trainers or owners who are interested in having their equine athletes
participate in the free screening program are encouraged to contact
the Kentucky HBPA office at 800-928-4272 to schedule an appointment.
The
Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association Inc. (HBPA)
is an affiliate member of the National HBPA. The organization
is dedicated to providing a national voice for horsemen on matters
of national policy and of national interest. Individually and
collectively, the HBPA is dedicated to promoting the preservation
and enhancement of live racing in North America.
Merial
is the world's leading animal healthcare company dedicated to
the research, development, manufacture and delivery of innovative
pharmaceuticals and vaccines for use by veterinarians, food-animal
producers and pet owners to improve the health, well-being and
performance of all animal species. The company is also market
leader in the development and production of poultry breeding stock.
With its worldwide headquarters in London, Merial employs around
6,500 people and operates in more than 150 countries. Total 1999
sales exceeded US$1.68 billion. Merial is jointly owned by Merck
and Co. Inc. and Aventis S.A. Merial also markets EQVALAN (ivermectin)
and a range of equine vaccines. For more information on GASTROGARD
and Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, please visit the web sites
http://www.gastrogard.com and http://www.egus.org,
or call toll free (877) GASTROGARD.
#
# #
¨GASTROGARD
is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies.
¨EQVALAN is a registered trademark of Merial Limited.
To
The Top
