Merck Veterinary Manual Now Available Online.

Business Editors

The Merck Veterinary Manual, the world's best selling and most trusted veterinary reference, is now available online at www.merckvetmanual.com.

A comprehensive reference on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of animal disease, the online Merck Veterinary

Manual is free of charge, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. First introduced in 1955, the reference book is published by Merck Publishing Group, in cooperation with Merial, the world's leading animal health company. The two companies launched the online version today at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"For the first time, this manual is now available as an interactive tool, with electronic search capabilities at the click of a mouse," said Gary Zelko, Publisher, Merck Publishing Group. "Now that it is online, searching for trustworthy veterinary information is easier than ever."

The Merck Veterinary Manual is widely used not just by practicing veterinarians, but by animal scientists and researchers, animal-health industry professionals, government departments of health and agriculture, regulatory agencies, and veterinary students.

"Our commitment to add value for our customers is fundamental to the way we work at Merial," said John Marbaugh, head of Merial's eBusiness initiative. "Bringing the Merck Veterinary Manual online and making it convenient for people to access it whenever they want to, from wherever they may be, is one way we are living up to that commitment."

The Merck Veterinary Manual is comprehensive in approach and includes sections on diverse topics from emergency medicine and critical care to nutrition and disorders of small and large animals. Sections are also devoted to exotic animals and poultry. Chapters include gastrointestinal diseases in small animals, diseases of the spinal column and cord, hepatic disease, congenital heart disease, food allergy, respiratory diseases, lameness, and wound management.

The Merck family of medical references, which are also available online include The Merck Manual, The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition, The Merck Manual of Geriatrics and The Merck Index. All of these references are published as a non-profit service.

Merck & Co. Inc. is a leading research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures.

Merial is the world's leading innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of pharmaceuticals and vaccines to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animal species. Merial operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Merial is a joint venture between Merck & Co. Inc. and Aventis S.A. For further information please see www.merial.com.