The second annual Companion Animal Parasite Council Education Road Show is set to take place June 27 to July 11, making eight stops in four states: Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington. The nonprofit group is touring the West in a 33-foot RV and will provide free public events. Parasitologists and veterinarians will educate pet owners and families about zoonotic diseases and how to prevent them. Parasites are a growing problem in the West, according to the CAPC. “There are parasites and zoonotic disease, sometimes a higher-than-expected incidence, in every Western city on our Road Show schedule,” said Michael Paul, DVM, executive director of the CAPC. “Parasites can be found in all 50 states, every day of the year, regardless of the weather.” Heartworm and other common parasitic diseases were virtually non-existent in the West 50 years ago, according to the CAPC. However, the changing landscape and influx of people from different parts of the country help these diseases spread more rapidly. Many people relocating to the West bring dogs and cats that have parasites, the CAPC said. The CAPC recommends that pet owners use preventive medicine year-round to control internal and external parasites for the life of their dog or cat, no matter where they live. “If you prevent parasitic infections in companion animals, you greatly reduce the chances of zoonotic transmission to people,” Dr. Paul said. The CAPC Road Show is as follows: • June 27, Denver, Colo.: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Denver Dumb Friends League, an animal welfare nonprofit. • July 1, San Diego, Calif.: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Petco Park Dog Park. • July 3, Long Beach, Calif.: noon–5:30 p.m. at Long Beach Dog Park. • July 5, San Francisco, Calif.: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Maddie Center. • July 6, San Francisco, Calif.: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza. • July 7, Sacramento, Calif.: noon–5 p.m. at I Street in Old Sacramento. • July 9, Eugene, Ore.: noon–4 p.m. at Alton Baker Park. • July 11, Seattle, Wash.: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Pike Place Market. Click here for schedule details. <HOME>
