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
My 15 year old cat recovering from urinary crystals was given Bravecto went downhill in less then an hour shaking head and very lethargic. Looked worse next day so vet recommended he be put down.
My Australian Shepherd is three and has been the picture of health and athleticism. After taking Bravecto, he lost his hair and tore his acl just playing with my other dog. He stays inside with me most days, now. My Yorkie scratches and bites at these mole things that develop around the dead fleas I find attached to her body. She also has scabs. Bravecto is a nightmare.
My dog is a Sheppard mixture vet gave her Bravecto when she was 6 months old, and 2 weeks later she had her first seizure and It’s getting worse, she now has diarrhea and that I can’t control
My puppy took Bravecto and 2 weeks later died in my arms. She (Goldie) was taken to the vet 2 times to get meds. I called Merck to find out how to detox my dog, was told I needed to file a complaint. They said they would call my vet. My vet said she did not receive a call.
It was horrible. My dogs had taken Bravecto before with no reaction we saw. This year, one could not stand, walk or notice anything around him. When he would lean to eat he would fall or stumble out of the blue. I bounced a ball next to his head, nothing.i called Merck to see if there was a formula change, I was told no, but this reaction could happen any time nit just the first. My vet advised, and I have it in writing, if it lasts more than 5 days it’s not the Bravexto. It was 3 days from hell. The vet is my ex-vet. He knew and NEVER warned me.
My 8 lb dog had a seizure shortly after (this was in April), and just had another
The damage this can do may disapate after 5 days, but it does not stop or go away. There are permanent side effects.
This poisoning needs to stop.
OUR LITTLE 13YR OLD CHIHUAHUA (BODIE) WAS GIVEN THEN MEDICINE RECENTLY 7/28/21 – HE ENDED LOSING IS STOMACH COULDN’T HOLD ANYTHING IN . WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME . NEXT DAY HE SEEMED A LITTLE BETTER – TOOK HIM TO THE DOCTOR TODAY – TO FIND OUT NOW HE IS BLIND. OUR DOG DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS MEDICINE.
Yes, my cat has finally been diagnosed with hyperasthenia that happened to occur along with the introduction of topical Bravecto. It took many visits to even get the vet to address I was seeing a real problem with my kitties very sensitive fur at his spine and seemingly highly sensitive nervous system (sounds, noises, smells, etc). I’m hoping we can repair his nervous system. This is awful.
Yes, my cat has finally been diagnosed with hyperasthenia that happened to occur along with the introduction of topical Bravecto. It took many visits to even get the vet to address I was seeing a real problem with my kitties very sensitive fur at his spine and seemingly highly sensitive nervous system (sounds, noises, smells, etc). I’m hoping we can repair his nervous system. This is awful.
Please add me. This product is marked safe for pregnant/lactating dogs. My two Akita’s gave birth to a total of 18 puppies. 10 were still born. 3 with birth defects.
We had a 4 yr old, healthy, chocolate lab that was given Bravecto on a Tuesday. By Thursday, he had stopped eating and by the time we got him to the vet on Friday, his liver had been completely damaged. They did everything they could, but he had to be euthanized on Monday. We will be contacting whoever it takes to make sure this is addressed. How do we join this class action lawsuit?