Preventicare...

Preventicare Colic Assistance Program (March 1, 1997 - April 14, 2010)

This week marked the passing of a staple health maintenance program for the horse. Preventicare is survived by its parent company Pfizer Animal Health, its cousins Quest and Quest Plus gel and Strongid C 2X. It is preceded in death by the recent passing of Equell Paste and Equimax Paste. Cause of death was suicide. In 2009 the program was changed to require online registration and assessed a $50 enrollment fee. The pulling of that trigger resulted in the program being maintained on life support for the past year. It quietly slipped away on April 14, 2010. The program marked a significant shift in equine health care that encouraged teaming with your veterinarian to address a comprehensive approach to the maintenance of your horse’s health, including spring and fall vaccinations, spring and fall health maintenance exams, dental care, parasite control and discussion of nutrition. This package appeared to greatly reduce the risk for a colic episode in your horse. Participating horses were eligible for up to $5,000 of insurance toward a colic that required surgery to correct. The program required the use of Strongid C2X daily dewormer. Prior to its suicide, it had entered into a depression due in part to the increasing concerns of parasite resistance and the annual cost for maintaining a horse on the daily dewormer, especially when cheaper generics had become available. Details of a memorial service have not yet been finalized. Internment to take place at Pfizer corporate headquarters. In lieu of flowers, annual health maintenance exams of your horses are suggested.