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 was giving bravecto plus as a treatment for fleas on my cat within 8 hours of applying the medication my cat was lethargic, couldn’t walk or stand, Having convulsions and barely breathing she has spent 3 days in the pet hospital and still today she is slobbering a lot and has a hard time balancing her self. Her fur is falling out and she has bald patches all over her. I don’t know if she is ever going to be the same cat. This cat was perfectly healthy she just had fleas she is 10 years old but I have put frontline on her for years with no adverse reactions and her blood work came back fine she has nothing wrong with her except this flea medicine that I was told was safe to use, it was not safe!
Unfortunately my boxer had such an adverse reaction from Bravecto, she had to be euthanized (per my vet and I agreed). Terrible tragedy for me and my family.
I didn’t start putting it together until today after I had to have my dog put to sleep. I have lost 2 healthy dogs in The last 18 months and they both got sick within a week after taking bravecto. Both stopped eating, were throwing up and very lethargic. I was told that the first one had stomach cancer and the second one I was told liver cancer. They wet both eating well and doing just fine until taking this medicine. Now I feel like it was my fault for giving it to them without researching it first, guess I shouldn’t have trusted the vet.
I purchased Bravecto Topical for cat and I became seriously ill after applying it. I called the company and they agreed my symptoms (headaches, hives, blurred vision, hair loss, dizziness, etc…) were likely caused by Bravecto. They advised me to replace everything I own and get rid of the cat. What a joke! They are making people and animals seriously I’ll and won’t do anything to help the situation. They refused to cover any bills associated with this or refund the cost of the product. This has cost me thousands of dollars and make me depressed and miserable. I hate this drug and the company that makes it!
After giving my dog Bravecto from the vet ,her personality changed. she no longer played with the toys she had played with every day .Peed in the floor instead of the pads she had always used before. she used to play with the cat every day and hasn’t after the pill. Its like her whole personality has changed and she still scratches.
My 2 yr old Maltipoo had one dose of Simparica Trio and the same symptoms as yours. I haven’t notified the company yet . The vet said the symptoms would go away . Did your dog recover?
I lost my 2 year old Rottweiler after putting her on bravecto for about 6 months 4 years ago . She was very healthy prior , just a pup and she got a lump in her neck. Took her to vets and she ended up with lymphoma . It was aggressive and she had to be put down. I cried for months and even years later my heart hurts for her. I can not afford to buy another . I was told after how it was bravecto from a few people. She was my heart dog . I got severe smoke inhalation from fighting a wildland fire and Molly would wake me everytime I had an asthma attack in my sleep. If I was going to have one during the day she would lay across my lap about 15 minutes before having an attack . She was never trained to do this
Took my dog to the emergency vet last night. 24 hours earlier 8 gave him a dose of bravecto. He cannot jump up, walk steps and his general walking is wobbly on his hind legs. Very lethargic. Bloodwork showed elevated pancreatic enzymes. I am just sick about this. Definitely going to use/try natural flea prevention going forth.
I am in the UK. My little cat died after being treated with Bravecto in 2019. She was fine and healthy but had fleas. My vet advised Bravecto. Over the next seven days she became very lethargic and her temperature rose. We took her to the vets and they kept her there for tests. She stopped eating and drinking. Our vet said she had pancreatitis but all of he symptoms were synonymous with organo phosphate poisoning.They suggested we took her home to try and encourage her to eat. We did that but she passed away that night Never again, it broke my heart. However, I am constantly being pushed towards it as a treatment for my other cats and made to feel like a bad person as I refuse to use it.
I give my dog for the first time yesterday Bravecto she had severe diarrhea and There was blood everywhere from I got online to check out this medicine and found all these terrible reviews – I pray my dog is going to be OK
My dog has been taking Bravecto for years and had side effects of diarrhea and vomiting for the first time. How is your dog?
Before discovering all this I gave my 12 yr old pug Bravecto. My vet didn’t hesitate or advise me of anything when I asked for the prescription. My pug rapidly lost the use of his rear legs. I didn’t make the connection until I ran across this class action information online. I have, in the meantime, spent a small fortune trying various slings and rear lift harnesses in an effort to help him. The 12 weeks from when I gave it to him are not passed yet – so my only hope is maybe there will be some improvement as the med starts to leave his system. NEVER AGAIN!