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
After giving the bravecto chews to my 2 schnauzers my smaller female developed a terrible skin rash that resembled big red welts at first then turning to severe flaking dry skin. She lost hair in some areas. The vet was great about trying everything from medications to prescription shampoos. She had a strange episode later where she became lethargic, her muscles started twitching under the skin and she couldn’t even stand up. Rushed to the vet where they ran blood tests and came up with nothing. After 2 hours she slowly came back. After that I refused to ever give my dogs any tick and flea medications. My female still after 2 years has episodes occasionally. It’s very frustrating to watch your pet suffer with lingering symptoms that aren’t going away. So much money spent and continue to spend just to make her somewhat more comfortable each day
Bravecto with the combination of Interceptor killed my dog in January of 2018. My dog was 9 1/2 years when he started having seizures right around the change to the latest and greatest. Most dogs develop epilepsy early, not at that age. But I believed my vet. Bad idea. Took me six months to figure that out after his death.
I lost my beloved dog in September. I’m now wondering if that made him sick 2 years ago, and in August…
I purchased Bravect for my 7 pound Yorkie Alex. When given Bravecto he would have vomiting and diarrhea and became lethargic. I used it once and regretted doing so. Please add me.
I have been giving my dog brave to fir well over a year. Since that time she has had shaking episodes and vomiting. Hopefully stopping it will help her.
I ‘ve been using bravecto
My dog is experiencing neruro problems IDk what else could have caused this.
I stopped giving my dog this drug. I noticed when i gave it to him he would start to uncontrollable have tremors with his mouth and breathing. It was scary and i stopped immediately.
I was never told of any side effects until i read articles on this drug. This stuff is dangerous. Would never use again or recommend to anyone.
Luckily my dog didnt have serious issues like some of the others with the use of this product, but I did stop using it after almost a year because my dog didnt seem right and she had terrible skin issues. After stopping it I realized this product was the cause. She is sensitive to some proteins so I chalked it up to her having an allergic reaction to an ingredient in it but my vet said it didnt have those ingredients. I stopped using it anyway and the itching decreased dramatically and she was more playful again. Counting my blessings her issues werent worse but she is only 13lbs so she was on the smallest dose.
My chocolate lab was given Bravecto and died 2 weeks later never had been sick always healthy I am so dam mad that they are still allowed to sell
My dog took this in 2018. Dog has had a seizure and episodes of being shaky and rocking from side to side, tongue out and mouth open. Took to emergency and regular vet. One of her eyes did not move when head was lifted backwards. Dr did not know what caused this and why she passed out.