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 little Peanut died like 3 days after he had Bravecto. He stopped eating and drinking and he could walk anymore. Bravecto needs to get pulled off the shelves!!!!
Lost 2 dogs to Bravecto. 1 last January and 1 2 years prior. They suffered seizures, diarrhea, vomitting, loss of appetite, kidney failure and other organ failure. This stuff needs to be banned.
I started 2 of my dogs on Bravecto and both of them suddenly developed neurological problems of unknown origin according to two separate veterinary clinics. Our sweet Juicy suddenly started having seizures and within 2 months had to be euthanized because half of her left cerebellum had mysteriously died. We were devastated. Our other dog developed mega-esophagus and had severe atrophy of here cranial masseter muscles. Both dogs were checked and cleared for any other poisons, parasites and diseases spread by insects. Since both occurred simultaneously we are very suspicious that it was the Bravecto.
My dog was being treated for lymphoma. Shortly after being given Bravecto, her liver enzymes shot up. I contacted Merck and reported the information. Stopped Bravecto and gave her meds to detox her liver. She died one year later due to complications from pneumonia.
We purchased Bravecto for our dogs in 2015 after being told by our veterinarian that it was completely safe for our dogs, including our collie. Within 24 hours of administration of the first and only dose of Bravecto our collie had black, tarry diarrhea. She then developed immune mediated thrombocytopenia within a week. Her red cell count bottomed out, she had bruising on her belly and was bleeding from her ears and gums. We were told by our vet that these were symptoms normally seen when a dog has ingested rat poison or antifreeze. We knew this was not possible since our dogs did not have access to either of these. The vet treated Tasha for 2 months but Tasha ultimately died in our arms at home. The adverse reaction report from the vet said that her death was probably due to Bravecto. Our other dog, Casper, developed a large black skin growth on his belly within 5 days of his first dose of Bravecto. The growth had to be removed.
My cat missy had a adverse reaction to Bravecto. Basically whole body shut down right after she received it. Wouldn’t drink or move. Took her to a emergency vet in Coo bay Oregon who thankfully treated her appropriately. Never received any information on adverse effects that could happen, and vet who prescribed it claimed it couldn’t have been from the med, even though the ER vet recognized the issue and treated her. Took a little over three months and out of pocket expenses to get her recovered. This medication has serious side effects that is dangerous.
Our mixed breed was being treated with bravecto for several years He was 6 years of age and was in great health. He died suddenly! The only thing the vet could tell us is that he had a weakness most likely in his heart. We never got any answers I’m certain that it was from the drug
My cocker spaniel received a dose of Bravecto, and within a month she developed cataracts and glaucoma. She is now completely blind in one eye, and nearly blind in her other eye. She has great difficulty maneuvering now and has great anxiety if away from home. She sees an ophthalmologist and requires daily eye drops. This is absolutely heartbreaking that the medication could have caused this!
I totally believe this drug killed our dog 3 years ago. After taking it for less than a year, he developed kidney disease and died shortly thereafter. Very sad day for us! RIP Harley
My Mini Aussie had a seizure right after he started using it but the vet said it was something he got into at our home which I knew for a fact he didn’t. The 2nd one was 1 day after he got the pill. The vet once again denied any harm from the pill because he has ALL his clients on the medication. My dog Daisy had a seizure and Duke started throwing up. We stopped the medication and I started researching the side effects. All the dogs haven’t any of those behaviors since.
Add me to the list!!!
This medication is insanely dangerous