LIVE NEWS – Animal Rescue in Flood Hit Regions

Science For A Better Life in Action 

 

Continuous, heavy rainfall has resulted in extensive flooding in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia and effected both humans and animals alike. We received a lot of requests to help animals that were in the floods in these regions. Today our Bayer colleague Alica Curtovic and her team from the association “ANDJEO SARAJEVO'' sent us this update from the ground and reported about the actions to support animals in Bosnia Herzegovina: 

"Rescuers have been working around the clock in the most severely affected areas of Bosnia Herzegovina. My Association for animal protection ''ANDJEO SARAJEVO'', among first rescuers team, visited areas in BiH under the floods. We were first in Olovo, Doboj, Maglaj, Orasje and Bosanski Šamac with all required medicines, food, clothes, etc. Also, we had food for the animals trapped by floods (strays and owner ones). Besides the dogs and cats we have helped the other domestic animals trapped by flood (alive or dead). Our great gratitude goes to Sunita Campara and Sejla Kapetanovic Jenko from Bayer d.o.o. Sarajevo that operates as a subsidiary of Bayer AG, for donating food packages and dogs
food.

Our great thank goes to Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia
(AWABosnia ) and Help For Furries. Also our respect goes out to everyone involved – rescuers from Marianne's Dog Food Bank, Angel’s Breath, Andjeo Sarajevo and so many other individuals who have joined in the efforts."

Pictures speak louder than words!  Click here

 

We wish Alica Curtovic and her team good luck for their further work!

A “Manhattan Project” for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is the world’s most common tick-borne illness and new science shows it may be at least 10 times more rampant than official estimates. In a 2014 paper by leading Lyme disease advocates: Lyme Disease: Call for a “Manhattan Project” to Combat the Epidemic, authors provide a comprehensive glimpse into new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies, discuss the historically complex and controversial approach to Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment; and contrast Lyme disease to the HIV/AIDS epidemic to provide a clearer view into the disease’s actual impact on society. 

The three CDC studies provide the foundation to dramatically re-scope the incidence, prevalence, and disease profile of Lyme disease patients.  For example: 

1.       A survey of testing practices for Lyme disease by large commercial laboratories –United States (2008)  – authors conclude a more reliable annual rate of Lyme disease diagnosis was closer to over 300,000 cases, or 10 times the 30,000 Lyme disease cases officially reported each year by the CDC;

2.       Self-reported Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment, and recovery: Results from 2009, 2011, & 2012 HealthStyles nationwide surveys – finds that in 2012 .3% of respondents were diagnosed with Lyme disease—a number that extrapolated over the U.S. population alone may suggest as many as 1 million people would have been diagnosed in that time frame. Authors concluded that “a very large number of individuals in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Lyme disease”;

3.       Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Lyme disease diagnosed by health care providers: Results from a large national database study – finds that Lyme disease is treated by many healthcare providers, though not formally reported. Authors concluded that children (inpatient) and women (outpatient) are more likely to be diagnosed. 

In context, these new CDC studies suggest that Lyme disease is much more rampant than previously thought, with between 300,000 to 1 million new Lyme disease cases each year (in the U.S. alone) and affecting women and children mostly. Due to such staggering new data, patient advocates from LymeDisease.org and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), call for “a coordinated ‘Manhattan project’ similar to the attack mounted against the HIV/AIDS epidemic…to address the serious worldwide threat of Lyme disease.” 

As Bayer HealthCare Animal Health, a company committed to “Science for a Better Life,” we raise awareness of diseases that affect animals and humans and thus are of zoonotic nature. Although study authors have so far been unable to determine how pets, as well as farm animals, are included in  Lyme disease transmission, new science has shown that dogs are getting Lyme disease 21% more frequently than in 2009, corresponding with an increase in the tick population during the same time period.

To learn more about Lyme disease, ways to protect you, your family and your pet, visit:

·         Canine Vector-Borne Diseases Lyme Borreliosis

·         LymeDisease.org

 

Improving Respect for Animals – One Child at a Time

Together We Can Change The World

When Uwe Mucke, Regional Head for Bayer HealthCare’s Animal Health Division, first came to Latin America he was confronted with a harsh reality -   animals were often treated very poorly. As an owner of several adopted dogs, he knew how much animals enrich our lives and that there is nothing comparable to the bond between humans and animals. ”It is our responsibility to respect and care for the well-being of animals and humans alike.”  

So in 2007, he and the Bayer team decided to take action to improve how animals were treated.  They started an education program in public and private schools throughout the region focused on strengthening human appreciation for animals.  The goal was to change behavior so that people would see animals differently, and instead of treating them badly, they would view them with respect and appreciation.  For the initial school trainings in Mexico, Uwe took his own dog, Amadeus, a Labrador, to show children the joy that a good relationship with a dog brings to life.  The children loved interacting with Amadeus, and learning about how to properly respect and care for animals. 

Interactive Sessions

From the start, this program brought together local veterinarians and Bayer colleagues to work together on something bigger than themselves, something good that helps society.  The veterinarians and Bayer volunteers visited schools to give interactive sessions for children between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. These trainings showed children the basics of how to respect and care for animals in a simple way, and reinforced the importance of a good relationship between humans and animals.

Kids and Dog Having Fun

Bayer strongly supports this program because the education of children has a positive impact on an entire community.  Students share their experiences with their families and friends, and the information rapidly spreads.  Children can become the best advocates for improving the treatment of animals. “We want to encourage children to look at animals with ‘different eyes’ so they can understand their responsibility to care for these animals, and the world around them,” explains Uwe. 

After the early success in Mexico, the program has now expanded into Brazil and Colombia. Over 240 local veterinarians are involved in the teaching sessions.  And the program will be growing even faster in the future. By the second half of this year, all countries in Latin America will be participating and the Bayer team has a goal of educating 20.000 children in Latin America over the twelve months.   

Dogs Show Off Their Talents

Learn To Love Dogs

Uwe Mucke and his team are passionately dedicated to this initiative and they appreciate the encouragement Bayer is receiving from schools, governments, the media, and most importantly, from children and their families.  “This program brings veterinarians and Bayer volunteers together to work hand in hand for something good.  By helping children understand the value of animals, we encourage better care of pets, the adoption of abandoned animals, and a greater appreciation for our individual responsibility to our environment and the world that we live in.” 

We think Uwe and his team are living out the Bayer motto of Science For A Better Life – and we will be bringing you more updates and stories on this important initiative. Keep checking back for more!

Every Person (and every Animal) Makes A Difference

A 1000 Thanks to A 1000 Fans 

Just a short three months ago, our team launched social media. That first day, when we had zero followers, we agreed that it would be our goal to develop a community of people that share our passion for animals.  We decided to answer questions the way that we would want someone to answer us.  We agreed to tackle some tough issues that are important for animals, but also to find ways to have fun, and celebrate the global community of people that are united by a desire to keep animals healthy. And we decided to highlight the work of organizations and people around the world that are making a difference for animals. After around 100 days, we know that we still have a lot more growing to do.  But today we want to thank our first 1,000 facebook fans.  One by one, we watched as you became part of our community, and we celebrated each time you engaged with us.  Your comments, likes, suggestions, questions and criticisms (most of the time) are appreciated.  It means that you’ve taken the time to communicate with us.  And that’s something we take very seriously.  We hope you’ll continue to be an active part of our community as we continue to grow!  Thank you for being with us from the very start.  And thank you for sharing our passion for animals.

The very happy communications and policy team at our Monheim office