Merck Animal Health has been hit with a class action lawsuit by consumers who claim that their dog and cat drug Bravecto contains a pesticide that is harmful to pets.
Bravecto tablets and topical medications are used on both cats and dogs, and are marketed as a way to prevent ticks and fleas for up to three months.
Plaintiff Valerie Palmieri says she paid just under $50 for one Bravecto chewable tablet to treat her 78 pound German Shepherd Jake for fleas and ticks.
After taking the pill, Jake started to vomit, did not eat, and began to show symptoms of lethargy, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit. The plaintiff reportedly took Jake to the emergency animal clinic after the dog was no longer able to walk.
Palmieri claims that she contacted Merck to talk about Jake’s possible adverse reaction to taking the drug. The company allegedly denied that that Jake’s sickness was caused by Bravecto but offered to pay for the emergency room visit.
However, the company would only pay if she signed an agreement which would release any claims against the company, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff states that she refused to release her claims as she wasn’t sure if Jake’s symptoms would be long-term and was still not sure if her dog’s symptoms were caused by the drug.
After more tests and a trip to a neurologist, the plaintiff’s veterinarian allegedly told her that he “presumed” that Jake’s diagnosis of meningitis was a result of “Bravecto toxicity,” which was contrary to what she was told by the defendant.
Since he ingested the drug, Jake has continued to have neurological episodes, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit. In September of this year, he reportedly fell down a flight of stairs and broke his leg. The plaintiff claims that she has spent “tens of thousands of dollars” treating Jake after he ingested Bravecto.
Palmieri says that when she purchased the tablet, the packaging and materials enclosed therein did not state that neurological adverse reactions were possible when taking the pill. In addition, the defendant allegedly did not tell veterinarians about the possible safety issues that the drug posed to pets.
“Because Defendant failed to disclose the risks of Bravecto to consumers and misrepresented the safety of Bravecto, consumers would be reasonable in purchasing Bravecto to treat their pets in a safe manner,” the class action lawsuit notes.
The Bravecto class action lawsuit also states that in September 2018, the FDA issued an alert about the possible neurological events that are associated with medicines like Bravecto to treat fleas and ticks.
The FDA has subsequently asked manufacturers to change their labels to “highlight neurological events because these events were seen consistently across the isoxazoline class of products” and “to provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions for each pet on an individual basis,” according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff states that the defendant now discloses that there may be some neurological reactions to taking Bravecto, including tremors, ataxia, and seizures.
“Every consumer who purchased Bravecto without being informed of the true facts about its health and safety risks prior to purchase was injured at the point of sale when, instead of obtaining a safe flea and tick medication, they obtained Defendant’s unreasonably dangerous and defective product,” the Bravecto class action lawsuit states.
Did you purchase Bravecto for your pet? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Mark A. Dicello, Adam J. Levitt, and Amy E. Keller of DiCello Levitt and Gutzler LLC and Jessica J. Sleater and Ralph N. Sianni of Andersen Sleater Sianni LLC.
The Bravecto Class Action Lawsuit is Valerie Palmieri v. Intervet Inc., et. al, Case No. 2:19-cv-22024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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1,807 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
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My dog has suffered seizures since taking one dose of Bravecto. Had a excellent bill of health just days before I gave it. Now hard to be on Phenobarbitol twice daily forever..
Our standard poodle was given Bravecto for the 1st time in May of 2018. Within 12 hours, he went into a major seizure for the 1st time ever. We immediately went into ER. He has continued to have seizures to this day at least once a month. Bravecto is definitely the cause of his seizures. He has neurological issues because of giving him this poison. Although he is still alive at 13 years old, he will never be the same after giving him one dose of Bravecto
Please add me. Have purchased Bravecto for our dog
Please add me because I’ve purchased this product for both my dogs
My cat began having seizures following dosage with Bravecto. The vet checked everything and she was otherwise totally healthy. After the seizure she has ataxia and then sometimes walks in circles. The next day she appears to be saved out, jumpy and twitchy. For a month after the seizures episode she has bouts of twitching and head spasms. A month after the first round of seizures she has had another round of them, followed by the same pattern of symptoms. I am not looking forward to this all over again next month and really hooe it will stop when this poison is out of her system.
I want my vet’s fees back and ought to get compensation for all the stress and distress and cleaning resulting from this.
Claxton Veterinary and has insisted bravecto safe but all three of my dogs are going blind I’m convinced it’s the bravecto. They’re all so riddled with lipomas does anyone know if there’s a way to reverse the Damage Done?
I’m not sure if you will get this. My dog went blind he was one year old! I used Lano Max eyedrops before his left eye got to hypermature of a cataract. However, he has seen improvement but he’s not the same dog he was with his foresight! He’s just a puppy and it has altered his state being blind and don’t worry my insurance for my pet doesn’t wanna cover it because it’s considered genetic. This dog has no juvenile cataracts in his lineage and has a stellar Pedegree. The only reason I thought bravecto as a candidate was the breeder asked if he had received any flea or tick medicine.
Brave to has caused my Chihuahua to have horrible seizures. This poison needs to be banned.
Bravecto
Bravecto was given to my dog without any warnings of possible side effects or dangers from our vet. There were reactions an hour later and 9 days later our dog had to be euthanized. Bravecto accepted responsibility and paid all charges. I have pictures and videos showing my dogs decline & suffering and a recording of my vet saying Bravecto accepted responsibility. I want this poison off the market. Please contact me.
I gave my pomapoo one dose of bravecto in 2018. She begin itching non stop. Sores appeared on her back and belly. Her stomach turned black or dark brown instead of pink. It was awful and it got worse before better. It took every bit of 6 months to get out if her system. She now is very sensitive to any flea tick products. I’m very lucky to still have my girl with me.