The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) emphasizes the importance of its parasite management guidelines for all veterinarians, stating unequivocally that these guidelines are applicable to every companion-animal veterinary hospital, irrespective of geographic location or parasite prevalence. Founded to transform veterinary and pet owner approaches to parasite management, the independent council consists of veterinarians, parasitologists, and public health professionals who advocate for the full adoption of these guidelines to enhance safety for both pets and humans.
Read More
Recent research indicates that over 75% of practicing veterinarians are aware of the CAPC guidelines, and more than 90% express satisfaction with the protocols outlined. However, actual adoption and implementation of these procedures remain lower than these awareness levels. Recognizing the challenges in integrating new practices, CAPC is intensifying its outreach to educate veterinarians, their staff, and pet owners.
Increased compliance with these guidelines will enable companion-animal veterinarians to better diagnose, control, and prevent parasitic diseases, ensuring healthier pets and reducing the risk of zoonotic parasites for families. To further support pet owner education, CAPC has launched a consumer website, www.petsandparasites.org. This site provides accessible information on the most common internal and external parasites affecting dogs and cats, organized into sections for dog and cat owners. It addresses frequently asked questions regarding pets and parasites while directing owners to consult their veterinarians for appropriate treatments.
CAPC is also continuing to develop and update specific guidelines for individual parasites, supplementing the primary recommendations. For additional information on CAPC and its initiatives, visit www.capcvet.org. Kevin R. Kazacos, DVM, PhD, serves as president of CAPC and is a professor of veterinary parasitology at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine.