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
My dog Ralph was given this medication 2016 and months later started to walk in circles, run into things, and act totally out of it at the age of 7. Our vet said he had some sort of neurological issue and would need an mri. Driving across New York State, we found a vet that performed the mri and found a spot on the image. He told us he had a tumor that he could not remove and gave Ralph 4 months to live. We put Ralph on steroids’ and pain meds to keep him comfortable. A year later, I contacted that same vet and told him Ralph was still alive. He said it was not a tumor and sometimes, rare, but sometimes these spots can be from a seizer or stroke. We felt like we had lived a miracle and were so thrilled our boy was ok. Years later I saw reports that this medication could cause neurological problems and told my vet my dog was never going to be taking that pill again. I cannot believe, to this day, vets give out this medication. I spend thousands of dollars on an MRI and treatment and thought my dog had a tumor, all due to this medication.
It made my dog sick, not eating, upset tummy , throwing up, it was horrible I kept taking him to the doctor, this happened every time I gave it to him, I just put it together. Never again.
The vet prescribed Bravecta for my cat………after that she began to lose weight, performed obsessive grooming to where she literally is licking the hair off down to the skin and seems to be constantly agitated – walking around meowing constantly……all this from a cat previously so laid back……….I cannot get her to put on weight no matter what I do – you can feel her backbone when you pet her – I have a vet appt. coming up to see if there is anything I can do to help her…….prior to the meds, she had no issues at all……I want to be added to the class action….
I gave my dog Bravecto with in 24hrs she was crying in pain she was unable to move and stiff as a board. She was diagnosed with SRMA steroid responsive meningitis arthritis.
It took 2 and a half days to diagnose her as no one knew what was wrong.
I believe it was the fault of Bravecto. It nearly killed my dog, my bank account and caused her 9months of intensive treatment.
All I can say is sometimes Thank goodness for internet. I almost gave my dog this recalled drug. He is 12 nearly. Very healthy. I haven’t heard one good outcome.
This is a dangerous drug. Period.
I used the word recalled. It should be.
The company should be sued bigtime for this. Why is this Bravecto still being manufactured and sold on the market?
Made the horrible mistake of giving my three year old Beagle/Walker Hound Bravecto. She now has a permanent seizure disorder and will be on phenobarbital for the rest of her life. Thanks Bravecto for being the cause of a serious, lifelong neurological disorder that could eventually cause permanent brain damage to this beautiful soul. Hope y’all are proud. ?
Same with my lab. Now on pheno and Keppra probably for life. She has grand mal seizures…knocks over furniture and hurts her body. Very violent seizures….looses her bowels and pees and foams at the mouth excessively. My new vet…who sucks…said “well she only had one seizure.” No! She’s had dozens. Her overall health has so declined…and is so dopey from the pheno. And every vet still pushes it. He even suggested I put her on bravecto again. He should have his license revoked. I hadn’t considered a lawsuit until reading this article….now I am considering. Thousands of dogs have DIED due to these drugs. I am considering switching to a holistic vet….but none are very near me. Thoughts and suggestions?
Lots of good advice here, and you are right, Bravecto for dogs treats types of flea and tick and even the infestations cause by them. last for 3 months which good in comparison to other treatments available in the market. To have a good discount visit budgetpetcare .com
Thanks god I find this site – all night surfing and looking what’s going on with my dogs. I got yorkshire terrier 7 year who is suffering time to times with dizziness , lock of control body , confusion what’s going on with him and last about 5 minutes till I calmed him down. First time was happen 1.5 year ago and since has about 5 times. Vets just told me have to monitoring and already informed me soon will have to say by some pennies 00000£ and what is surprising me now I got Hussky 4 year old he has same symptoms since last month and today s happen second time. And what I will tell you guys, I’m giving them both “Bravecon” already for couple years. And I trust that symptoms are from “ Bravecon “ due can’t believe I got two dogs and they are suffering with a same think. Not giving any more!!! Cancel my pats care plan and will looking for new vets who’s avoiding “ Bravecon “ Thanks to all and I hope my doggies will and this without any serious problems ?
Our German shorthair started losing her hair and getting cyst and started acting lethargic after taking Brivecta! She had surgery to remove some of the cysts and still was losing her hair!!! We finally stopped giving her Brivecta!!! She was only 10 1/2 when we had to put her down. We had never given a dog Brivecta and had we known what it was doing to her we would not have given it to her!!!! It was poisoning her and we did not even know it!!!
My German Shepherd had to be put down because of Bravecto also.He developed sores all over him and would chew and lick them . I finally had no choice but to put him down as the vet told me he was eating his own skin and was so miserable. This needs to be taken off the market. My Panzer was only 8 yrs old .
in Sept 2020 I gave my boston the chewable Bravecto pill. with in about a week, she went blind, started to have walking and back leg weakness. She then started walking in circles, she started to not eat and lost weight. her balance was got so bad she would fall over.Sadly in January 2021 it got so bad we lost Molly.
THIS NEEDS PULLED OFF THE MARKET!. The pain and guilt is becoming unbareable.