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 fur baby was given Bravecto in 2014. Immediately after ingestion, she started twitching and salivating profusely. Then came vomiting and diarrhea. She was lethargic for months and had little appetite. The vet didn’t think Bravecto was the cause but I knew it was. I thought she had reported it to Merck but years later the vet told me she hadn’t reported it because my dog didn’t have any side effects. Was I ever mad at her! She is not my vet anymore. This stuff is poison and I warn everyone who has a dog not to give to them. Sadly, a lot of them trust their vet and just have blind faith and give this deadly poison to their pets. I am disgusted with my vet and disgusted with Merck!
I have purchased bravecto for my pets. I am concerned as I have 3 more doses for my dogs and I’m scared to use it now.
Me too. I’ve read about this before and asked my vet. She said it was fine to give to my dog.
My vet automatically gave me a Bravecto dose In the new puppy goody bag when I took my new puppy for a wellness check and booster vaccines. I took it out and told her I would never give any dog a systemic toxic drug for flea prevention! My previous dog never got fleas or ticks and I used no preventative on her. Are vets getting kick backs from Bravecto? Seems like it.
I had used Bravecto chewable for my dog (who now suffers tremors) and the topical on my cat … switched to Seresto collars since hearing about the adverse effects of Bravecto
My 14 year old Parsons Jack Russell who was diabetic and blind but doing great including playing ball for an hour every AM and PM, visited the vet on 8/8/2019. for his annual. He received Bravecto plus a Pro Heart shot from the vet 8/8/2019. 9/9/2019. I took Maxey in because he was obviously struggling – breathing hard, and his gums were red. 8/8/2019 nor any visit previous to these visits did a vet mention his teeth. He always had beautiful teeth. When the vet looked at him for the walk-in appt., he said his lymph nodes were swollen. He had X-rays taken and he had an area of enlarged intestine. Until then his appetite was fine and he had no blood in his urine or feces. He was given an antibiotic shot and a blood panel was completed which indicated very little. My bill was $566.50, He stopped eating about 9/14/2019. He got me up in the middle of the night to eat, so I measured the amount he ate, so I could effectively give him a corresponding amount of Vetsulin. By 9/16/2019, He was in pain, breathing hard, just plain gave up and I had him put to sleep.
Until two weeks before this he was playing ball for hours a day. He was happy and the same as always. I am now wondering if he was allergic or something to that Bravecto. He did have allergies every season to the pollen in Florida. I am so lost without him. He just went way too fast from our lives! I hope and pray that the FDA thoroughly investigates Bravecto. I took my other dog off of it.
Our dog, only 15 months old, died in Nov 2018 after we gave him Bravecto, had no idea this was so harmfull. He started vomiting and later had watery stools and would eat, vet said it might be parvo, but our other 2 dogs, who did not get the Brevecto, is still as healthy as can be.
After taking the drug my dog had seizures within minutes of ingesting. She was fine within 24 hours. After the second time her vet said she was “allergic” to the med and that this was not a normal side affect. She had called the company and they had offered to pay for an ER visit if we needed to take her.
I gave this to my dog for a few years!!
I am terrified to EVEN think that this is what could have caused the Seizures in my Buddy. He had NEVER had seizures for 13 years and then this. I also have dispensed this to the other 4 of my Fur Family members and have NOT seen a reaction in 3 of them, however 1 does not do well for 2 days after taking her dosage! UGH! Please keep me posted.
I have never been informed about health risks and have given it to my dogs.
My Yorkshire Terrier has seizures due to taking this poison.
I am positive that Bravecto is why my dog Eros passed away. Also why my other dog ended up with neurological issues. Do not give this to your pets!