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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1,797 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
My 13 YO Yorkie had a cerebellar stroke and has had chronic idiopathic, myoclonic head spasms attributed to “old age.” We just spent $5K on a MRI and thousands of other on vet visits and second opinions. I can’t believe my two primary care vets did not put the pieces together on this. Totally unconscionable to call themselves doctors while pushing this poison.
We had a mastiff mix who suffered spinal stroke after getting a dose of bravecto. Came on gradually until paralysis that could not be recovered. He had to be put down at only 4 yrs of age. Broke our family’s heart.
Holy crap, been looking up side effects.. definitely would not have given my dogs this knowing all this..returning what I have..
Over a year ago my dog was given Bravecto. She started having seizures and still has them now. We had and MRI and Spinal tap done to diagnose the results. She has gone through lack of eating spells along with her seizures. We have been to Neurologists and she is currently on medication with monthly blood work. We are at over $19,000.00 in vet bills. I cry every time I hold her during her seizures. The pain it causes both of us is horrible. When I asked my vet if Bravecto was safe he said nothing had been advised, he said it was safe. Tell that to my dog.
It must come off the market, and who is going to pay me back for all my medical costs?
Please add me to the class action lawsuit.
Get Bravecto off the market before more dogs die.
We gave our 8 year old lab Bravecto. With in a month I noticed she was losing quite a bit of weight. At first I attributed the weight loss to increased activity in the summer months. She then began vomiting multiple times daily in large amounts and the weight loss accelerated. Took her to her vet and she was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. We elected to bring her home instead of having her euthanized. We are keeping her comfortable and either my husband or I are with her at all times. I immediately started to try and figure out why, since she had gotten a clean bill of health only weeks before during her annual physical! The ONLY change was the Bravecto treatment. We are heartbroken and trying to figure out how to say goodbye, when the time comes, to our baby and best friend!
My cat had first and only one topical application of Bravecto for flea and tick. She went into acute liver failure and even though hospitalized vets could not save her.
After the second time I gave my dog Bravecto he had a three hour episode of small seizures , jerking , and then became unable to stand . It was the day after I gave him the Bravecto . Then 5 weeks later it happened again . He was in the ER the first time and got fluids and had normal
Blood work up . Now I toll him to my vet after second episode and he just got a chest X-ray which was Normal
And an EKG which is awaiting results . So far I have spent over $1200 and have not found any other cause . I will not give him Bravecto again . I am quite sure that it was not a coincidence . For 3 hours he was unresponsive . He improved somewhat after that but was not ok for three days .
I gave my dog this and 1 week later she was diagosed with cancer . She spun out of control
and passed away within 5 days .
My dog had one Bravecto pill and that night he had his first seizure. We took him to a neurology specialist and she said it was from Bravecto. So know he takes two anti seizures pills twice a day.
I called Bravecto, they treated me like I was lying and wanted vets phone numbers. Real jerks! Would love to be included in a y lawsuits from this awful drug!!!!
My dog is a senior and gives only during the summer time. This last pill, just back from a walk, have her a pill. Within hours she could not walk, was wobbly on her legs. Had to carry her here on our. Has been 24 hours no difference, will only eat cut up sausage, nothing else. Hoping gets better. Have a vet appointment.