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.
1,807 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
Our pup died after taking Bravecto.
Our puppy was given Bravecto the day we rescued her. She almost died. It took her three days to pull out of it. She was lethargic. Didn’t eat and didn’t move.” I laid in bed with her the whole time.??
I have been giving Bravecto for three doses. I did not give every three months apart because it was not needed. I have three small Chi’s and one came down with not being able to walk on back legs. Vet said arthritis but no problems till after the third dose. Now she is on meds that cost $1.00 a pill for lifetime. Other two seem fine so far. Has this Bravecto been taken off market? Makes me so ?…..
My 12 year old Rottie was happy and healthy. After 3 doses of Bravecto she had numerological symptoms that the vets did not understand. We had to euthanize our beloved pet because she could not use her rear legs for some unknown reason. Two weeks after her passing my friend sends me links about the disasters of Bravecto. I am convinced this is what killed my beloved girl.
We have used Bravecto on our dogs who have passed away. We have been using it for our rescue dog for 2 years and for her breed she should not be so exhausted after a short term playing session. I have felt something was wrong with her.
Please add me. I used this in my Yorker for many years. She now has breathing issues.
Please add me because I have a dog our pets are our kids, thank you for bringing this to our attention
What can we use to keto them from having fleas and ticks? I use Virbac Sentinel tabs. Anybody know about this one?
We began giving our dogs Bravecto in early 2018. One is an Italian Greyhound, who was around 9 years old, no prior neurological issues. The other is a mixed breed, who was around 3 years old, no prior neurological issues. In May 2018, our greyhound began having seizures. In June, he was followed by our mutt. Our greyhound was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. He has grand mail seizures. It’s very rare in a dog that old. Our mutt has tremors, which are diagnosed as idiopathic partial seizures. Both now require daily mediation (about $30 per month), annual bloodwork (about $500) and annual neurology visits (about $400). They can no longer take flea and tick medicine per our vet’s recommendation, given the seizures. This puts them at a higher risk of other diseases carried by these organisms. And being on long-term medication may eventually cause organ damage. We called the vet in early 2018 when rumors began to circulate and they said they had not been informed of anything and not to worry. So we kept giving it to them. We changed vets after the episodes began, and she agreed that it was probably the Bravecto. They do not prescribe it in their office given the reports. We are one of the lucky ones, too. Others have had dogs die and get deathly ill. This company needs to step up and accept fault, and repay those who now have to live with the consequences. These animals are our children, and deserve the same as any human child.
Yes , I have used Bravecto topical for my cat. The first dose for her size made her very lethargic. Since that dose I used kitten for her which didn’t make her lethargic. Possibly her behavior issues we have are a result of the Bravecto …