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
I work at a non profit rescue group. We decided to give all of our cats bravecto a couple weeks ago. One of our cats is horribly sick. We immediately started noticing patches of hair missing where the application was applied. Now there are pussing, open wounds, almost like blistery burns all over his neck and back area. The cat which is about 8 months old is jaundice and has lost weight. This is a very terrible tragedy, and I do NOT trust this product.
I had serious neurological reactions with my dog too. But it was nexgard. Cost me THOUSANDS!!
My dog is right now in the hospital overnight after his first treatment ever of Brevecto. Within hours he began to have tremors and seizures. I was not informed about the potential side effects. I don’t know his current condition but I’m hoping to pick him up soon. The vet called Merck and they are taking responsibility for his hospital stay. I was told by my vet that Merck stated to them that these symptoms should subside 24-72 hours. I am hopeful they do but from what I have now read I am really worried. We fought to save Stanley from euthanasia and now this? Please add me to the list.
I pray your pup does better. I gave Bravecto to my Collie over 5 weeks ago. The day after I gave him the dose, he started having seizures. Called the vet and they wrote it off. One week later, more seizures. They finally believed me when I had to force myself to take a video of him suffering, and they put him on muscle relaxers. He hasn’t had an episode since, but I’m terrified to take him off the meds after the 3 months is over and the drugs are mostly out of his system. Never EVER again will I give this to any of my babies, and every night I pray they make it one more day
We gave our healthy 3 year old Irish wolfhound bravecto, two hours later we found him dead
ADD ME
My vet gave me bravecto after I told them my boy has never had a flee or tick in he 5 years if life, but insisted on it “since its flee and tick season”. After I researched this and saw the lawsuit I tried to return it. (Unopened) and now they wont take it it back. they charged me $62 for this poison and never told me the all the side effects or the fact if I took it home they wouldn’t refund me.
About a month and a half ago we gave Bravecto to four dogs upon our vet’s recommendation. Our oldest westie immediately became highly aggressive toward the other dogs and has had struggled with walking on one of her back legs. Her daughter has become slightly aggressive. The other two (a golden retriever and a cavachon) seem fine. I asked our vet if the aggression was a side effect and they said they didn’t know of any side effects with this medication. I have already purchased 3 more doses for the less affected dogs and they sold me a different flea/tick medication for the one that has become most aggressive. I don’t plan to use the medication after learning of the neurological problems it is causing.
My dog was on phenobarbital for his seizures after taking bravecto. I spend so much money taking him to different vets to see what was going on with my poor boy. He suffered a lot. The seizures got worst and we had no other choice but to put him down. Add me!
My Dog Cairo started having seizures after taking bravecto. I hope they take them off the market. Add me pls
First of all, I want to say that I am so sorry for the loss and the heartbreak I have read through these comments. I am just now realizing that Bravecto is causing symptoms in my sweet schnauzer baby girl. They are not as severe but the vet has not been able to explain why she is having random symptoms of incontinence, tremors, blank stares, an eye ulcer and now partial blindness. She has always been a perfect picture of health even though she is a strong 11-1/2 yrs old. The vet blames her age but I’ve kept up with the timeline and it’s always around every 3 months which is the treatment period. I will never ever give Bravecto to her ever again and I’m praying she recovers from the abuse this drug has done to her body.