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.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
1,807 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
I gave my dog bravecto and he started having seizures
My dogs were given Bravecto December 19th 2019, they started showing neuological issues soon after and one of my dogs is now blind.
We have been giving our German shepherd this medicine for a couple years now have never been told of this I just purchase two pills at $120 we have given her one and the other one would be given in July. I am not giving the other pill but feel I should be reimbursed.
I used Bravecto in August 2016, and 12 hrs after giving it to my dog he had a severe stroke and could only circle to the right and fall down . I asked him if it was from the Bravecto, but the vet said it was neurological and could be a stroke , and the package doesn’t list and side effects for neurological symptoms. With Moose being so bad, we decided it’s best to put him down. They figured it was his age, because he was 12 1/2 , but Moose was never sick a day in his life. Now I know it was the medicine and after that incident I never used it again.
I purchased Bravecto from my vet, as he recommends. Within an hour he vomited it up. I paid 60 for one chew tablet for my 25 lb cavapoo..
Last year I gave him Bravecto and he vomited about 26 hours later. I wasn’t sure if it was related to the med or not. My vet said possibly but no way to know for sure. my dog has tolerated other Chew’s like Heartguard .
We treated our cat with Bravecto 4 days ago and she has fallen ill. I am now convinced this is what killed our other cat. It sickens me that these corporations care for nothing but their profit margins.
Add me. My dog passed away after I started bravecto they said they thought she became diabetic but instead had pancreatic episode & never had a problem until I starred this medicine!!! It’s garbage! I spent $1000s on emergency at bills and lost my baby Yorkie (who was a record of health)at 8 years old!!!
I started giving my golden retriever Bravecto just as soon as she was old enough to get flea/tick medicine.
At 3 1/2 yes old she started having seizures. The vet immediately removed her from taking Bravecto. She had as many as 6 seizures per day.
Finally, we had to put her on phenobarbital 2 tablets a day to try to prevent seizures. Drawback to this is this drug messes with her liver and kidney functions.
I would tell anyone don’t give Bravecto to your dog.
The vet gave my 15 year old poodle mix bravecto on February 17th of this year. I told her my little one had seizures in the past. She replied that it iI is the safest one on the market. She started behaving funny the second day after the medicine and is very ill. First she started just standing and staring into space, then she started having mucus profusely coming from her nostrils. Then she quit eating. I took her to another vet twice. The first time, she gave her antibiotics, something to make her feel hungry and pain medicine because she had severe pain in her nostrils.The antibiotics and mirazipine didn’t work so I took her back 3 days later. She had blood work done and was found to be in early stage of renal failure.. They didn’t know what was wrong with her, but there was nothing wrong until she was dosed with the bravecto. My little one still isn’t well and nothing seems to help. She has started eating just a small amount at a time. The mucus won’t stop coming from her nose
I had been giving my 4 year old Maltipoo Bravecto since he was 1 1/2 years old. He has had several occasions where he loses the use of his hind legs. He’s terrified and is shaking every time it happens. He flops to the floor and can’t walk. I decided to research why this could happen and found out it’s common for dogs who have taken Bravecto. I am shocked they still have this on the market. I’ve contacted my vet about this and they still continue to sell it. I’m so disappointed as my sweet dog will never be the same.