Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
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.
1,797 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
My 80 lb rescue mix has had two seizures that I know of. I traced the dates and found they occurred shortly after his Bravecto topical. His excellent vet said to cease future Bravecto treatments and that there was a strong chance that a future seizure would be much worse. Before having connected his condition to Bravecto, I told someone with his rescue organization that he was aging noticeably, and that I questioned his age on his paperwork. Now, I don’t. Also, a friend said that Bravecto had a similar affect on her rescue, after which her personality changed: She no longer play-wrestled with her peers. That, too, coincides with my big guy’s condition.
Our American Pitbull has been taking Bravecto for a few years. After giving him his dose he would get sleepy, clumsy and drink alot of water. He now has problems with his back legs and is diagnosed with myelopathy. The vet diagnosed him with this a few weeks ago without any blood work, etc. But did the Bravecto bring this on? I found this law suit by looking up side effects for Bravecto.
My shitzu was 13 she died in November of lymphoma within 3-6 months of giving her that stupid bravecto pill my gut told me not too I had always used revolution with no issues but chewy .com contacted my vet and she advised them not to send me the revolution because of her skin allergies and my vet talked me into trying the bravecto pill she said there was nothing to worry about wish I’d listened to my gut instincts 😡
Our American Pitbull has been taking Bravecto for a few years. After giving him his dose he would get sleepy, clumsy and drink alot of water. He now has problems with his back legs and is diagnosed with myelopathy. The vet diagnosed him with this a few weeks ago without any blood work, etc. But did the Bravecto bring this on?
My dog has a reaction to brave to…he has been sick everyday after he took the pill. He is a 3 yr. Old English mastiff. What do I do?
My cat nessa was perfectly healthy till I gave her Bravecto a week and a half ago. At first it caused just lethargy and ataxia. The ASPCA poison control and the nurse at the vet said she’d be fine. She bounced back for a couple days and is now lethargic. Vomiting. Won’t eat or drink. And after reading these other comments it’s seeming as tho that it’s the end of her life and it’s all due to the Bravecto. I’m taking her to the vet in the morning to confirm.
We gave our 5 year old cat one dose and within a couple of months started having small bumps on his leg. Then one night I thought he had ripped his leg up when it was bleeding and near the blood was a large growth (looked like a large skin tag. Size of a quarter and full/solid. Had it removed and it was benign. Now a second one surfaced just as large and when the doctor removed this one and the lines of bumps (he said they were like tentacles) and said it should go to biopsy. He is concerned it could be cancer. He was extremely healthy and then this happens. The vet bills are almost $3,000 and if he has cancer….will have to amputate his leg and chemo. Unbelievable.
Biopsy report came back and he has cancer. Aggressive and 2-3 years life expectancy if the vet removed all of it. Basically cut his life in 1/2. How can I sue this company?
I gave my dog this medicine for a few years (from out Vet) and never knew that it was more than likely the cause of his seizures.
He had never had seizures before until after taking this medicine, however, I wasn’t made aware that it was dangerous, so I didn’t connect the dots. I love my baby so very much and the thought of giving him this medicine to help him, actually harming him makes me SICK…!
I now bath my babies in Dawn… It works SO much better and is safe as long as it is rinsed off properly.
I’m sorry for those of you who have experienced these awful things. I know how special our furbabies are to all of us….. (Except drug manufacturers) …..
A vet gave my cat Bravecto 3 month flea treatment on December 16th 2022.. She had tested healthy on all blood tests and cleared for a dental cleaning . She was dead in less than 7 weeks. any test that could be done which cleared her of any other health issues. A top animal neurologist said , “oh yeah, it’s the Bravecto “
We gave our cat Bravecto for ticks as it was recommended by our vet. She is experiencing hair loss and will not lie on her favorite pillow. Not sure if her skin is more sensitive or not. Reading other people’s experiences is terrifying!!
I have been advised by my vet for years- 2 dogs to buy this overly expensive flea medicine my first Dog had to be put down because of unknow
growths inside of her body and she broke her leg just by turning around and my second dog must be forced feed this pill. She is smarter than the vet. She has impulsive actions that did not start till this pill was given her.