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
Yes, and she had fairly significant tremors within an hour. I called the emergency vet who said Bravecto was not responsible. I went online and found that tremors ARE a side effect. The next morning I called the Merck hotline to discuss it. The person there did confirm that it was possible but would not / could not tell me what to do, if it was permanent or anything else. All they would do was take my vet’s name and arrange a refund of unused product.
We have used Bravecto for our 5 saints and they are due for there next one but after reading this I think we will find an alternative treatment .
My dog has taken Bravecto for at least two years. I have not seen any negative effects, but now I am hesitant to use this. It was prescribed and recommended by his vet.
We have 5 dogs who have used Bravecto. They are actually due for their next 3 month dose, but I think we will be looking into something else after reading this article. Please add us to this lawsuit.
I have been giving Bravecto to my shih-tzu since she was a puppy
I gave my senior 80 lb Lab Bravecto over a year ago. She became lethargic and started vomiting within hours. We took her to the vet. She received antiemetics and IVF. Thankfully, she has recovered.
Our vet gave me Bravecto for my Maltese in 2018 and caused her to have seizures for 4 months. When he gave it to her, I ask if there were any side effects and he said it was very safe, that in fact he gave it to his own animals..
I have been using Bravecto in my Brittany breed kennel for years, and until now, not informed of the toxicty of this drug. No more! So sorry for those who were affected by not being informed prior to the use of this drug. This is a crime!
I gave my dog Bravecto in 2017 and he nearly died. After thousands of dollars spent in keeping him alive luckily he is still with us today. I have reported all of his symptoms to Merck who then tried sending me paperwork to sign so I would not speak of this, I refused to sign. Please add me to the list
This really upset me! My vet convinced me to change to Bravecto and my dog started scratching and itching from the first day. When the office called to remind me, I said no thank you! Went back to advantix II . She is much better. The lethargy is gone, too.