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
Include me as well. My English Bulldog had reactions and passed at 3 1/2 years
Include me please. We had two dogs that passed away last year, one was only 2 years old and the other was 10.
If you love your cat or dog PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM BRAVECTO! I gave the pills to two of my cats in April 2018. They both became deathly ill and almost died. If I wouldn’t have been able to take them to the LSU animal hospital they may have died. This happened with in 8 hours after giving them BRAVECTO! This crap should be illegal to sell! Something needs to be done to stop the drug manufacturer!! I would like to file a claim.
My dog Thor passed away within 24 hours of ingesting brevecto. Please include me.
PLEASE INCLUDE ME TOO
Please include me on your list
Clearly this stuff is poison. How can it be a coincidence that so many dogs have suffered and died after taking this drug. My dog vomited immediatley after taking it. I researched online and read story after heartbreaking story of what has happened to other dogs. I will never give him this poison again.
I know this states bravecto, but I’ve seen where simparica was also listed. I gave my doberman simparica and 2 days later she had diarrhea, vomited, rapid darting eyes, head shaking.. and couldn’t stand up. Rushed her to the vet and it took about an hr or so as she slowly came out of it. This was and has been the ONLY incidence she ever had. Very scary and I wont give it again!
After I started using Bravecto for a while my dog started having seizures. I did not connect the 2. No other dog in his breading line ever had seizures before him. Then when I read on fb about it, I realised it was the Bravecto and stopped it.
My dog took two bravetco pills in the summer of 2017. I started to notice big fluffy marshmallow poop right before I administered the second pill. Not realizing that was the issue, I administered the second pill and within two weeks, he was having Major behavioral issues and after several appointments at the vet and thousands of dollars, my dog was diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic deficiency. I feel this drug caused my dogs pancreas to fail, which entailed didn’t allow proper nutrients (vitamin B) to his brain which caused the neurological and behavioral issues. As a result, he needs a protein enzyme supplement for the rest of his life. My dog has never been the same. I notified Merck immediately, and they said there were no other reports of pancreatitis so it couldn’t be bravetco that caused it, but also agreed to pay my bills -if I sign off on them being liable. I didn’t!! I just wanted this drug off the market so it didn’t hurt any other dogs. Breaks my heart to read all the stories out there! They need to pull it off the market immediately.