John McAviney Head of Sales at Simplyhealth Professionals
Pet Owners Give Less Than Half Of The Veterinary Recommended Ectoparasite Treatments Each Year
5 years ago 
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Spring is the time of year when many cat and dog owners think about ectoparasite treatments and some may even ‘stock up’ with what they believe is a sufficient supply to cover their pet during the perceived risk period. In fact, the Simplyhealth Professionals team has been highlighting a study showing that most pet owners tend to treat for only four to six months a year.*
Those on a practice pet health plan have parasite control included in their plan making adherence to their vet’s recommendation on frequency of treatment affordable, accessible and correct. Client adherence is likely to be seven times greater when the client receives a clear and distinct recommendation, written summaries and reminders from the clinic.* The health plan can form the framework for all of these steps.
Practices are able to choose the level of parasite control they offer in their health plan to reflect environmental risk in their area or can gauge it to the life-stage of the pet with specific puppy or kitten plans.
Simplyhealth Professionals’ Head Veterinary Officer, Gudrun Ravetz, says “With many ectoparasites posing a risk year round to pets and owners, it is vital that pets are protected with effective and appropriate treatment plans devised by their local veterinary team.”
Head of Sales at Simplyhealth Professionals, John McAviney agrees that this is a great time of year to inform pet owners about the practice pet health plan, “When pet owners are already focused on the need to treat for parasites, veterinary staff have an opportunity to present their health plans as a way to access services and products at a fixed price point. They can then be reaping the benefits for the rest of the year. Every day our Business Development Consultants are talking to practices about setting up health plans in the best way or refining the plan so it really works for them and their clients. I’d encourage all practices to be thinking quite seriously about their health plan at this time of year – whether it’s just ensuring it’s offered at the point of purchase when people buy their parasite treatments or refining their offer so it really reflects what clients want and what their pet needs, in the face of local parasite risk.”
Practices can talk to the Simplyhealth Professionals team to find out how they can be supported to set up a health plan or refine their current offer in line with pet health risks or based on what has worked for other practices, by calling 0800 587 2581 or visiting www.simplyhealth.co.uk/professionals/vets.
* Lavan at al (2017) Assessment of dog owner adherence to veterinarians’ flea and tick prevention recommendations in the United States using a cross-sectional survey, Parasite Vectors 10:284 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5460448/
For more information visit: www.simplyhealthprofessionals.co.uk
For more information:
Susan McKay
or Liz Barton, [email protected]
Companion Consultancy
01284 388702/ 07887 515870
About Simplyhealth Professionals:
Simplyhealth Professionals is the UK’s leading provider of preventive healthcare plans for cats, dogs, horses and rabbits and has been providing pet health plans for over 10 years.
Simplyhealth Professionals also provides a wide range of professional services for its member veterinary practices and their teams. Plus regulatory advice, business and marketing consultancy services and networking opportunities.
Veterinary enquiries telephone: 0800 587 2581 .
For details of all of our products, visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk/professionals/vets
About Simplyhealth:
Since 1872 we’ve been helping people get healthcare through our health plans, charity partnerships and by being a voice in healthcare.
Today we’re delighted to be the UK’s leading provider of health plans, dental plans and pet health plans, which help individuals, families, employees and pets to get support with their health when they need it.
We don’t have shareholders which means we are totally focused on making sure no one goes without the healthcare support they need, and why we are passionate about being a voice in healthcare and partnering with charities to reduce health inequality.
Last year we donated £1.13 million to our charity partners which equates to over 10% of our pre-tax profits. Additionally, our partnership with the Simplyhealth Great Run Series raised over £40 million for charitable causes.
To find out more visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk
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